What types of finishes are available on T6 aluminum that preserve its natural silver color? Like bead blasting, satin finish or maybe mirror polishing? How long would they last because it seems that anodizing makes the surface of the material harder and that's why most makers use them.
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Types of finishes available on T6 aluminum.
- Thread starter KuKu
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- Feb 4, 1999
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By "T6" I assume you mean 6061-T6? Anyway, most of my aluminum experience comes from the bike industry, where we use aluminum in frame and components of all types. I have seen tons of 6061, 7005 (and other 6000 and 7000 alloys), and some 2014, too. You are correct that anodization will increase the hardness of the surface. I believe that clear anodization is possible, although your typical anodization will be in colors or that sort of dark grey color that results from the process of "hard anodizing". Aluminum wears very well in the bicycle industry, and these parts undergo a LOT more stress than knife handles, so the info should be applicable to either.
I have seen some bead-blasted aluminum, and typically it is in areas like handlebars where the stem clamps. This seems to be durable, but these aren't areas that are seeing much friction type force, so I don't know how that would transfer to a knife handle. Aluminum can also be painted (doesn't work all that great) and powdercoated (better, but again, flakes easier than powdercoated or painted steel) in tons of colors.
Finally, you can also mirror polish aluminum. Mirror finished aluminum will scratch and hold fingerprints like crazy, although OTOH aa little Simichrome and a rag and a few minutes' worth of elbow grease will bring that mirror finish back very easily. For a knife handle, I would go with a mirror finish followed by a clear anodization if possible. Red would also be cool! The best bet would be to get a few samples of the alloy you will be using, and have one mirror finished, one left raw, one anodized, and one bead-blasted and see which one you like the best. This may be a bit of overkill if this is for one knife purchase, but if you are planning on using aluminum on a product line or something it would be well worth the time and effort. I know you could do the mirror polish yourself with some basic equipment, and you can have any auto repair place bead or sand blast a piece of aluminum for a couple bucks on his lunch hour. If you have an art school or a high school or college with a decent art program, you can easily find a student or faculty who will anodize a piece of aluminum for you.
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My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
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On Two Wheels
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I have seen some bead-blasted aluminum, and typically it is in areas like handlebars where the stem clamps. This seems to be durable, but these aren't areas that are seeing much friction type force, so I don't know how that would transfer to a knife handle. Aluminum can also be painted (doesn't work all that great) and powdercoated (better, but again, flakes easier than powdercoated or painted steel) in tons of colors.
Finally, you can also mirror polish aluminum. Mirror finished aluminum will scratch and hold fingerprints like crazy, although OTOH aa little Simichrome and a rag and a few minutes' worth of elbow grease will bring that mirror finish back very easily. For a knife handle, I would go with a mirror finish followed by a clear anodization if possible. Red would also be cool! The best bet would be to get a few samples of the alloy you will be using, and have one mirror finished, one left raw, one anodized, and one bead-blasted and see which one you like the best. This may be a bit of overkill if this is for one knife purchase, but if you are planning on using aluminum on a product line or something it would be well worth the time and effort. I know you could do the mirror polish yourself with some basic equipment, and you can have any auto repair place bead or sand blast a piece of aluminum for a couple bucks on his lunch hour. If you have an art school or a high school or college with a decent art program, you can easily find a student or faculty who will anodize a piece of aluminum for you.
------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/frames.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
agocs_s@dd.palmer.edu
Madpoet (Mel Sorg, Jr.) Tribute page:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/madpoet/main.html