AMS A 8625 Hardcoat Anodize Plating

AMS-A-8625 Hard Coat Anodize

Hard Coat Anodize is a frequently used finish for aerospace components. Due to the increased durability and corrosion resistant properties, it is commonly applied to aerospace machinery that are susceptible to harsh or extreme conditions. In order to guarantee consistency throughout its manufacturing processes, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) created specifications called Aerospace Material Specifications (AMS). These specs are used to help manufacturers easily identify procedural requirements and create an industry wide standard for all future metal finishing work in the aerospace industry.

AOTCO's Certifications & Approvals for this Spec:

NADCAP Accredited
ROHS Compliant

What is Hard Coat Anodize?

Under the AMS-A-8625 spec, Hard Coat Anodize is classified as Type III. The process leaves the thickest layer of anodize of all three types in the spec. Hard Coat Anodize is more expensive than Type II sulfuric anodize, but it provides a variety of beneficial qualities that its predecessors do not.

Why Hard Coat Anodize?

Hard Coat Anodize provides a thicker layer of protection compared to the other two types in the AMS-A-8625 spec. This thicker layer provides for a stronger finish, increasing the abrasion and corrosion resistance of the component it is encasing. It also has a higher thermal shock resistance than the other two anodize types, meaning that it is less likely to experience change during extremely high or low temperatures.

Plating Specs AMS-A-8625 Hardcoat Anodize
Types of Anodic Coatings Available

Type 1 – Conventional coatings produced from chromic acid bath
Purpose: Delivers an electrically non-conductive surface with improved scratch and corrosion resistance. Primarily used in aerospace applications and on castings where components that may undergo flexing due to heat changes or mechanical means

Type 2 – Sulfuric acid anodizing, conventional coatings produced from sulfuric acid bath
Purpose: Intended to improve surface corrosion protection under severe service conditions or as a base for paint systems
Type 2B – Thin sulfuric acid anodizing, for use as non-chromate alternative for Type 1 and 1B coatings
Purpose: Non-chromate alternative to Type 1 and 1B coatings, where corrosion resistance, paint adhesion, and fatigue resistance are all required

Type 3 – Hard Anodic Coatings
Purpose: Provide wear and abrasion resistant surfaces with improved corrosion protection due to greater thickness and weight than the conventional anodic coatings. Reminder: Sealing of Type 3 coatings is not recommended unless corrosion resistance is also a factor, as both wear resistance and fatigue strength can be reduced by sealing

Types of Anodic Coatings NOT Offered

Type 1B – Chromic acid anodizing, low voltage process

Type 1C – Non-chromic acid anodizing, for use as non-chromate alternative for Type 1 and 1B coating

Classes

Class 1 – Non-dyed
Class 2 – Dyed

Acquisition Requirements

Acquisition documents should specify the following

Assembly Anodizing – If an assembly is required, customer MUST provide AOTCO with this information.
Due to electrolyte entrapment, assembly anodize must be pre-approved by AOTCO on a PART TO PART basis
Type of anodic coating, title, number and date of this specification
Class of anodic coating
Special process operating conditions, if applicable
Special cleaning and fabrication requirements
Color and uniformity of Class 2 coatings, if applicable
Degree of non-uniformity of dyed casting alloys
Type 3 coating thickness, if applicable
Coating weight for thickness, (for Type 3) if substituted
Special sealing requirements
When applicable, the allowable difference in anodic coating appearance resulting from inherent base metal differences
Provide the specific location of contact marks if important to the function of the part
Acceptance criteria for quality conformance inspections
If paint adhesion testing is required for quality conformance testing and the required paint system
Unless otherwise specified in the contract, PO, or applicable drawing, the nominal thickness of the coating shall be 0.002 inches (2 mils).

Minimum Thickness (typical) in inch of Anodic Coatings

Alloy Designation	Type 2 Thickness of Coating
Alloy Designation	Inches	Mils
1100	0.000093	0.093
2024-T4	0.000125	0.125
2024-T6	-	-
3003	0.000103	0.103
5052	0.000098	0.098
5056	-	-
6061-T6	0.000099	0.099
7075-T6	-	-
Alclad 2014-T6	-	-
Alclad 7075-T6	-	-
295-T6	0.000107	0.107
356-T6	0.000102	0.102
514	0.000086	0.086

Thickness Ranges of Anodic Coatings on Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys

Coating Type	Thickness Range
Coating Type	Inches	Mils
1, 1B, 1C, and 2B	0.00002 to 0.00007	.02-.07
2	0.00007 to 0.0010	.07-0.1
3	0.0005 to 0.0045	0.5-4.5

Coating Weight Relative to Type

Coating Type	Coating Weight (mg/ft²)
1 and 1B	200 min
1C	200 min - 700 max
2	1000 min
2B	200 min - 1000 max

Additional Relationships to Consider When Designing Part Coating

Fatigues properties of aluminum alloys can be severely reduced by anodic coatings. The amount of reduction varies with the process. As a rule of thumb, the thicker the coating the greater the fatigue will be
Hardcoat of 2 mils or more is extremely difficult to obtain on high silicon dye castings such as 360, 380, and 383
Abrasion resistance in Type 3 hardcoat will decrease as the thickness of coating approaches 3 mils. In general, abrasion resistance does NOT increase with coating thickness

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AMS-A-8625 Hard Coat