3M Extreme Masking Tapes for Anodizing
Anodization baths are some of the toughest environments around and we make extreme masking tapes tough enough to stand up to them.
Why 3M Extreme Masking Tapes for anodization?
Because anodizing takes place in acid bath solutions, anything used to mask the surface must withstand the harsh chemical bath for as long as the part is immersed – and may also need to survive painting or other downstream processes. Whenever the mask is removed it should come off in one piece without leaving residue behind that requires extra removal steps. We invented masking tapes and our wealth of experience means we know how to create extreme masking tapes that meet these and other requirements.
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Tight manufacturing tolerances help our tapes to go on consistently and provide peace of mind that they’ll perform the same way, time after time.
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Whatever type of anodizing you’re doing, we have a tape made to provide excellent masking lines in those specific harsh conditions.
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Our consistency helps prevent leakage and rework so you get more parts finished on time and on budget. Tapes also eliminate the curing time of liquid masking options.
Anodizing converts the surface of a metal to provide a durable, corrosion-resistant oxide finish; unlike paint that bonds to the surface but remains separate, anodization creates a distinct layer that’s part of the metal but also different from it. The finish is achieved by applying an electric current while dipping parts in an acid bath – so any section that shouldn’t be treated needs a tough masking tape for anodizing that can withstand this process.
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- Hard, abrasion-resistant surface will not peel or chip
- Electrically insulates the underlying metal
- Avoids thickness of painting and plating processes
- Color can be embedded for decorative purposes
Aluminum and its alloys are the most common, but other nonferrous metals such as magnesium and titanium can also be anodized.
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Click the red dots for more informationA brief history of anodizing acidsClick the red dots for more information
Extreme Masking Tapes for all three common anodizing processes
Type I anodization involves a chromic acid bath while Type II and Type III anodization use sulfuric or other acids. Find more information about each type and appropriate 3M Extreme Masking Tape solutions using the tabs below.
Type II or "Regular" Sulfuric Acid Anodizing
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3M™ Polyester Tape 8992 stands up to Type II anodizing baths for sharp lines, then removes cleanlyType II anodizing is most commonly done using a sulfuric acid solution, though other acids and combinations of acids can be used. This “regular” anodization takes place at room temperature and uses 10-20 volts to create a layer 0.1 to 0.8 mils thick. Type II anodizing creates a harder finish than Type I and is used for military-grade components, shells for computers and other electronics, hydraulic valve bodies and mechanical hardware.
- Sulfuric acid at room temperature, 10 to 20 Volts
- Coating of 0.1 to 0.8 mil
- Harder finish than chromic
- Clear finish can be dyed
- Inexpensive
Typical uses include:
- Hydraulic valve bodies
- Military-grade components
- Computer and electronic enclosures
- Mechanical hardware
3M Solutions
Type III or "Hardcoat" Sulfuric Acid Anodizing
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3M™ Vinyl Tape 471 is easy to apply for excellent masking results in Type III anodizing bathsType III anodizing is most commonly done using a sulfuric acid solution, though as with Type II other acids or combinations of acids can be used. This more-complicated process takes place in very cold conditions using up to 90 volts of electricity to produce a “hardcoat” finish up to 2 mils thick. The hard finish of Type III anodizing is extremely resistant to wear and corrosion and provides electrical and thermal insulation properties; it is typically used for internal engine parts, sliding parts, hinge mechanisms and blast shields.
- Sulfuric acid at 0° to 32°F and up to 90V
- Coating of up to 2 mils
- Extreme corrosion resistance and durability
- Can repair worn surfaces
Typical uses include:
- Engine internal parts (e.g. cams, pistons)
- Sliding parts
- Hinge mechanisms
- Blast shields
3M Solutions
Meet the Expert
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Meredith Opatz
- Application Engineering Specialist, 3M Specialty Tapes
- How long have you worked on harsh environment processes and solutions for 3M? I’ve been at 3M for over 10 years – I started in our Regulatory department and I’ve been an application engineer for around 9 years. I started with powder coating and progressively transitioned into harsher environments such as anodization.
- Why and how was 3M™ Anodization Masking Tape 8985L developed? We started working on this product over five years ago because we were noticing a trend of customer requests for masking solutions where existing tape products were not performing. Masking against chromic acid is challenging with requirements that a tape solution provide minimal leakage against chromic acid and clean one-piece removal, as well as the security of a non-silicone adhesive not interfering with downstream processes.
- What excites me about this product is the customer excitement about the product. Customers have been engaged and a part of the product creation throughout its development. They have opened their anodization baths to our testing and provided feedback to every prototype created, so development would not have been possible without their support.
- Why purple? Some people think we chose purple to support the Minnesota Vikings football team, but really it’s because I’m a huge Prince fan, so it’s a shout-out to a great Minnesota artist.
- What do you love about your job? I never knew such a job existed. It is like going behind the scenes of “how’s it made” every day. I support several products that go into dozens of unique and different applications that people may or may not know about. It allows me to be creative and learn something new on a daily basis. I get to work one-on-one with customers to help them improve their processes and make their jobs easier. I’m proud of the products we create and how we influence lives.
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¹ Up to 5x faster and up to 60% reduction in labor time both based on 3M internal data.
