ADVANTAGES OF THE SANFORD PROCESS™

Sanford Process™ Corporation is the owner of the Sanford Process™, which is the leading technology in the global hard anodizing market.

During the hard anodize process, aluminum parts are subjected to high electrical current densities for the creation of the hard anodize oxide. This process generally creates polarization of the cathode and anode in the electro-chemical process; this generates large amounts of oxygen at the anode and hydrogen at the cathode. This polarization fills the pores of the oxide coating and builds resistance to the electrical current. As a result, in conventional hard anodizing, progressively more voltage has to be applied in order to maintain adequate current densities. These high voltages generate dangerously high temperatures and the potential for catastrophic dissolution of parts being hard anodized. However, with the Sanford Process™, the unique use of DC + AC current wipes away the polarization and permits significant advantages to be achieved. These include the capability of hard anodizing all aluminum alloys, higher abrasion resistance, superior coating hardness and uniformity, higher thermal conductivity and corrosion resistance, and the ability to dye with bright vibrant colors.

In addition to hardness, durability, and energy efficiency, hardcoating aluminum components with the Sanford Process™ results in several other advantages. For example, in an application for which lubricity is required, the porous surface of the Sanford Process's™ hardcoat will soak up dye or lubricant like a sponge. The surface can also be effectively sealed for corrosion resistance, in applications requiring this quality.

Hardcoat can be honed to the highest international standards of smoothness. Light weight aluminum components treated with the Sanford Process™ are extraordinarily well suited for extended use in high operating temperature environments. Hardcoating generally raises "survival limits" to approximately 2000°F for treated components.

Hardcoated components achieve dielectric qualities without reduction of their thermal conductivity. The integrity of the Sanford Process’s™ hardcoat is not affected by the changing shape of the treated component when it is subjected to extremes of temperature. For these reasons, hardcoating aluminum makes an excellent substrate and heat sink for electrical circuitry.

Perhaps most important among the advantages of the Sanford Process™ is its unparalleled performance with 2000 Series aluminum alloys. For more than forty years, the Sanford Process™ has produced superior results when used with the 2000 Series, an aluminum-copper alloy. This alloy is easy to machine, but burns easily when subjected to electrolytic processing. Sanford Process™ Corporation's first success in applying the Process to the 2000 Series alloy came from introducing its proprietary SANFRAN™ additive to the electrolyte solution. SANFRAN™ worked as a buffer to inhibit burning at high voltage. Since the invention of the low-voltage Sanford Process in the late 1970’s, burning of the 2000 Series aluminum can be virtually eliminated.

SANFORD PROCESS™ CORPORATION
65 North Avenue, Natick, Mass. 01760
Tel: (508) 653-7860 Fax: (508) 653-7832
Owners of Patents of the World's Finest Hard Anodized Process