Anodizing aluminum weld

[loughnane]

I'm working on a concept that involves welding some aluminum plate to aluminum tubing (something like the attached.

The concern I've got is that I am going to be hard anodizing the assembly once it's all said and done. I've done some digging and found cautions regarding minor discoloration (which I am ok with), but I am more concerned about any structural impact or potential pitfalls that may be involved in going this route.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Chris Loughnane - Product Design

http://www.pdnotebook.com

http://www.twitter.com/DesignNotebook

 

[drawoh]

loughnane,

If you weld aluminium and then anodize, the welds will be visible. Do not use the yield strengths from the handbooks, particularly for heat treated aluminium.

Lincoln Electric has a FAQ on aluminium welding.

JHG

 

[CoryPad]

The potential pitfalls are appearance and durability. The variations in chemical composition for the tube and sheet base metals, and the weld region (filler?) can cause variations in the color of the anodized layer. The durability concern comes from the composition variations, and from the fact that hard anodized parts can have cracks that propagate into the base metal. Full mechanical testing is warranted.