Certifications Is anodized aluminum NSF certified?
Clear anodized aluminum products meet NSF Standard 51 certification standards for surfaces where food contact may occur. A PDF download of our NSF certification letter is available in the Downloads section of this web site. Our colored anodized aluminum products meet Splash Zone 1 certification standards – surfaces other than the direct food zone that is subject to routine splashing or spillage.
Cleaning & Maintenance How do I clean anodized aluminum?
We recommend starting with just standard water and a sponge. If you have dirt that cannot be removed with just water then we recommend using a mild pH cleaner. Cleaning and caring information is readily available on our web site – or I would be happy to forward it to you.

How often should I clean an anodized aluminum surface?
We recommend at least once per year – however it helps to maintain the beauty of the surface if it is at least rinsed off when surface dirt become apparent.

Forming & Fabricating Can I weld anodized aluminum?
Yes, anodized aluminum can be welded. Recommended welding techniques for anodized include TIG Welding, Laser Welding and the Pulse Technique. Current customers have had positive results after making slight modifications to the design so that the weld is on a non-visual component of their finished product, or by lightly touching up the weld with a metallic pigmented paint or aluminum paint. We have a team at Lorin who would be happy to work with your team in determining the best way to incorporate anodized aluminum into your finished part.

What impact will changing from my existing metal to anodized aluminum have on my tooling & equipment?
Typically handling pre-anodized aluminum has been found to be similar to handling other metals with slight adjustments to the stroke required in bending or brake-press applications and stamping or blanking applications. We have information on Forming & Fabricating Anodized Aluminum available on our web site, or I would be happy to forward information to you as well as have a Sales Engineer contact you to discuss potential impact on your fabrication process and some options for consideration.

LEED – Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design How do anodized aluminum products help me in securing LEED points for my architectural project?
LEED initiatives were designed to create common standard and promote use of “healthy” building products. Buildings get LEED certified, however the products used in those buildings can help in qualifying for points.

Lorin products can help in qualifying for LEED points based on the following criteria:
    		• Energy & Atmosphere – Lorin ClearMatt products meet Energy Star standards for total solar reflectance and thermal imittance, making them an excellent choice for roofing and exterior product applications where the designer is looking to maximize the building efficiencies with no negative impact on the environment through coating out gassing. For detailed information on our Energy Star certification, see the Download section of our site for a copy.
    		• Materials & Resources – Anodized aluminum products typically use high-purity aluminum alloys with little to no recycle content. LEED friendly alternatives are on the horizon, however in the meantime – the anodized aluminum used in a project today is 100% recyclable tomorrow – making it an excellent support to materials and resource initiatives.
    		• Indoor Environmental Quality - Anodized aluminum products do not outgas or emit toxic fumes like other coated materials. The anodizing process is 100% natural and will not negatively impact air quality.

    Watch for more information on Lorin products and LEED standards coming soon!

    Ordering Standards What sort of qualification material is available to move this trial forward?
    We stock a variety of material finishes in various gages and widths as well as anodized product. We are happy to work with you in getting the correct material needed for production qualification, as well as negotiable amounts of finished products for prototypes and finished product qualification. We do have minimum production requirements for some colors – but again, we are willing to work with you to get the material qualified and a program in place.

    What sort of minimum order quantities do you have?
    Lorin stocks a large number of finished anodized aluminum products – minimum order quantities for these are 1,000 pounds or smallest coil available. We are happy to work with you relative to minimums in getting a program started. We also have minimum production quantities for our non-stocked anodized material – but again, we are willing to work with you as needed to get the material you need to qualify a product for program volume opportunities.

    Understanding that anodized aluminum weighs approximately 60% less than other metals, what sort of impact does that have on my coverage?
    Depending on how you measure coverage, anodized aluminum offers you approximately 3 pieces to every one of stainless, brass or copper – this exponential coverage translates into your coverage per square foot as well.

    Performance What can be done to fix scuffs and scratches on the anodized surface?
    Unfortunately anodized aluminum cannot be sanded out like other metals – however the surface will take more impact and scratching than other metals before the scuff or scratch impacts the appearance of the finished product.

    How is the visual consistency of an anodized product within the anodizing process?
    Because anodizing is a finishing process, we are able to control the gloss, options and color values of our anodized product. In addition to producing material to stringent standards, material is reviewed for consistency throughout the production run.

    What is the recycle content of the anodized aluminum?
    Depending on what the aluminum alloy is of your anodized product, material can have up to 100% recycle content. In general, AQ quality alloys used by Lorin to ensure consistent appearance of the finished product are produced using 1000 or 5000 series alloy which is 99.9% primary ingot. All anodized products are 100% recyclable when the time comes to transition the finished product.

    How does anodized aluminum compare against other metals in terms of dent resistance?
    Based on calculation alone, an anodized aluminum product using 5005 ½ hard temper material has 25% higher dent resistance than stainless steel. We are happy to provide you with a small amount of material for testing within your own standards as needed.

    How does anodized aluminum compare against other metals in terms of scratch or abrasion resistance?
    The anodized surface is sapphire hard and resists scratching and abrasion better than coated materials. We are happy to provide sample material as needed for you to perform your own testing and evaluate the results.

    How does anodized aluminum compare against other metals in terms of corrosion resistance?
    Aluminum is naturally corrosion resistant and does not break down or degrade with exposure to water or humidity like other metals. In terms of chemical resistance – anodized aluminum performs best when chemical exposure is limited to pH levels between 5 and 9. We recommend thicker anodic films when corrosion resistance is a key element of the finished product.

    How fade resistant are anodized aluminum colors?
    We offer many products that qualify as UV Stable / Exterior Grade anodized products – primarily our gold, bronze and some black products. Other products use organic dyes that could fade with exposure – before making any final decisions we would encourage you to test them within your own standards to confirm if the color will work for you.

    What anodized aluminum colors are available that is fade resistant?
    Primarily products that use inorganic dyes or salts qualify as fade resistant – primarily gold, bronze and some black. While organic dyes will fade with exposure, the fade is often gradual – so before you rule them out, we would be happy to provide some small sample quantities for testing within your own standards to see if the color will work for you.

    What sort of heat exposure will an anodized aluminum finish survive?
    Aluminum has a melting point of x. The anodic film will thermo craze or crack with continuous exposure at 300° - 375° Fahrenheit. We recommend Clear anodized or ColorIn products for finished parts that will have extended exposure to high temperatures.

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