Anodized metal… a knifes rainbow

Anodizing is an electrochemical process that converts the metal surface into a decorative, durable, corrosion-resistant, anodic oxide finish. Aluminum is ideally suited to anodizing, although other nonferrous metals, such as magnesium and titanium, also can be anodized.

The most common types of anodizing are Type I (Chromic Acid Anodize), Type II (Sulfuric Acid Anodize) and Type III, also known as Hardcoat. Each type of anodizing is ideal for different materials and serves its own distinct manufacturing parameters. Despite each type’s specific advantages and drawbacks, they all work relatively the same way.