THE HISTORY OF
THE SANFORD PROCESS™

Owners and Developers of the Classic Sanford Process™,
the Sanford + Plus Process and the Sanford Quantum Process™

The Classic Sanford Process™ had its beginning in California and was the invention of Dr. Paul Sanford. Hardcoating of aluminum by customary processes always presented difficulties when alloys of high impurity were processed. This was particularly true when alloys containing significant amounts of copper - 3.5% to 4.0% - were processed. Catastrophic dissolution, called "burning" led processors to avoid these alloys, or at a minimum, imposed limitations on the hardcoat thickness to less than 2 mils (50 microns). Even then extreme care was necessary and results were uncertain.

Dr. Sanford, in collaboration with John Franklin, invented an additive called "Sanfran" which, in combination with a modified electrolyte, not only eliminated "burning" on high copper and other difficult alloys of aluminum and improved the quality of the hardcoat film, but also produced noticeable energy savings. Additionally, with the new electrolyte it was possible to form thicker coatings. The process utilized pure DC current at voltages up to 100 volts with a current density up to 40 amperes per square foot. This process is known as the Classic Sanford Process™. It was used extensively to process components for the aircraft industry.

Sanford Process™ Corporation continued developing products and techniques in the anodizing and hardcoat industry. Its "Sanford Hardlube™". is a Teflon dispersion treatment that was perfected as a post treatment for Sanford Hardcoat. Sealing techniques were studied and improved. Sanford was rapidly becoming recognized worldwide for its superior hardcoat system, technical expertise, and process know-how, and continued research and development of the quality of hard anodic films.

Sanford Process™ Corporation does not operate a job shop nor does it do any commercial hardcoating, but is affiliated with a large independent hard anodizing shop, which provides Sanford Process™ Corporation with the world’s largest experimental facility for field testing and proving - or disproving - Sanford’s innovations. The ability to test under actual job shop conditions has been an invaluable asset in the development of new ideas by Sanford Process Corporation.

In the mid 1980's the Sanford Process™ Corporation commenced the most extensive research program in Hard Anodizing in its history. The objective was to expand the functional efficiency of its Hard Anodizing systems as well as the range of coatings they could make available. Those lofty goals were met initially with the development of the Sanford + Plus Low Voltage DC + AC rectification system and then later with the advent of the Sanford Quantum Low Voltage rectification system.

Sanford’s management realized that continued leadership by the company depended on continuous improvement. A research team was assembled and several long-range objectives were outlined, most important of which was development of a more efficient power supply for hardcoating of aluminum. Years of research were invested in this project. Many prototypes were built, tested, and discarded, but each brought the team closer to its goal. Finally, after 4 years of constant painstaking research, during which time four new patents were awarded, the company developed a low voltage power supply, which superimposes AC current on DC in the anodizing process. The new process is called the Sanford + Plus Process. The combination of the DC+AC in the low voltage power supply (0 -18 volts DC vs. 0 -100 volts in high voltage DC systems) with the additive "Sanfran" makes it possible to hardcoat any aluminum alloy while maintaining exacting quality control during the process. Additionally the process drastically reduced electrical operating expenses.

In 1986, Sanford Process™ Corporation introduced a new process –Sanford Quantum™, which is a low voltage (average 12 VDC) hardcoating process in room temperature (70ºF) with the possibility of creating up to 50 - 60 micron of coating while meeting the Mil spec abrasion resistance requirements. The coatings have lighter colors, are more uniform and demonstrate higher abrasion resistance than those formed at high DC voltages and low temperatures.These lighter colors permit dyeing with bright vibrant colors.

The results of this research and development is the World's Finest Hard Anodize Process. With the Sanford Process™ the following advantages are readily achievable: Capability of Hard Anodizing ALL aluminum alloys.

Higher abrasions resistance than conventional hard anodize
Higher uniformity of coatings
50% higher thermal conductivity
Greater corrosion resistance
Dyeing of Hard Coat with bright colors

Available Through Authorized Sanford Licensees

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