What is BS 3987 - Anodic oxidation coatings on wrought aluminium about?
BS 3987 is a British Standard that discusses anodic oxidation coatings on wrought aluminium. The main objective of BS 3987 is to provide best industry specification for anodic oxidation coatings on wrought aluminium such that the durability and integrity of external architectural applications are maintained.
BS 3987 specifies requirements for clear and coloured anodic oxidation coatings on wrought aluminium for external architectural applications. Guidance on the information to be supplied by the purchaser to the anodizer is given in Appendix A.
Guidance on properties affecting coating performance is given although reflectance and gloss are not specified.
Note 1: The coatings consist mainly of aluminium oxide and are produced by an electrolytic oxidation process during which the aluminium acts as the anode.
Note 2: The composition of the aluminium is not specified but that used is assumed to be suitable for anodizing.
Note 3: Temporary protection and maintenance of anodized aluminium after anodizing may be necessary.
Note 4: The titles of the publications referred to in this standard are listed on the inside back cover.
Who is BS 3987 - Anodic oxidation coatings on wrought aluminium for?
BS 3987 on anodic oxidation coatings on wrought aluminium is relevant to:
- Architect or designer of architectural components
- Companies providing surface treatment solutions
- Aluminium suppliers
- Mechanical and chemical engineers
- Industries including but not limited to aerospace, food manufacturing, medical, military and defence
Why should you use BS 3987 - Anodic oxidation coatings on wrought aluminium?
Anodic oxidation is an electrochemical technique for producing an oxide coating on a metallic substrate. It depletes a substance's electrons and oxidises the anode.
BS 3987 recommends the architect or designer of architectural components consult with the aluminium supplier to ensure that the correct grade of aluminium is selected in order to produce the required finish and with the anodizer to ensure that the dimensions and configuration of the components are such that the requirements of this standard can be met as an economic proposition.
BS 3987 walks you through visual inspection techniques, colour, thickness, and sealing requirements for anodic oxidation coatings on wrought aluminium.
BS 3987 also covers guidance on properties affecting coating performance, choice of aluminium for anodizing, maintenance of anodized aluminium and production control methods with regards to sealing quality.
Adopting the best industry requirements specified in BS 3987 for the anodic oxidation coatings can help you improve the quality, durability and service-life of wrought aluminium components.
What has changed since the last update?
BS 3987:1991 supersedes BS 3987:1974, which is withdrawn. This revision of BS 3987 differs from the previous edition in that guidance is given in appendices on information to be supplied by the purchaser to the anodizer, on the selection of aluminium, on the surface texture and on sampling. The significant surface is defined and is no longer specified by the purchaser and colour fastness is specified. Values for thickness and the surface abrasion resistance of the coatings are also given.