What is the difference between mill finish and clear anodized rail?
Is there any application difference? Do you recommend using mill finish flashing or rails in an application in California?
Comments
Brian,
Mill finish is the natural finish that aluminum extrusions have as they emerge from the extruder die. It's basically bare aluminum. Mill finish will oxidize with a light white powder (aluminum oxide) as it is exposed to air and moisture. It can oxidize a lot under very moist or salty conditions.
Anodized rail is pre-oxidized in a controlled environment, which creates a very thin but very hard natural barrier to corrosion. If the anodizing is kept intact, it can resist a fair amount of moisture and even salt in the air - this is why anodized parts are always suggested for corrosive environments.
If you're in a dry environment, go with mill finish since it's cheaper, if not go with the anodized.
Comments
Brian,
Mill finish is the natural finish that aluminum extrusions have as they emerge from the extruder die. It's basically bare aluminum. Mill finish will oxidize with a light white powder (aluminum oxide) as it is exposed to air and moisture. It can oxidize a lot under very moist or salty conditions.
Anodized rail is pre-oxidized in a controlled environment, which creates a very thin but very hard natural barrier to corrosion. If the anodizing is kept intact, it can resist a fair amount of moisture and even salt in the air - this is why anodized parts are always suggested for corrosive environments.
If you're in a dry environment, go with mill finish since it's cheaper, if not go with the anodized.