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Thread: Best Grade of Aluminum to get polished mirror finish

  1. 02-07-2013, 02:52 PM #1
    sschrick
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    Best Grade of Aluminum to get polished mirror finish

    Needing to make some decorative badges from AL. Thickness if 0.5mm. Typically I use Stainless Steel and polish the top to a Mirror Finish (Ra= 0.4 or better).

    What grade of AL would you suggest to get a mirror type polish finish?
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  2. 02-07-2013, 03:02 PM #2
    PinkertonD
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    Welcome, the harder grades are better 6061/6063 but aluminum is soft and it will scratch really easy. I mean microscopic dust trapped in the skin of your finger will leave a smooshed (technical term ) scratch. The only way around that is to have them clear anodized after polishing.
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  3. 02-07-2013, 03:11 PM #3
    Kelly_Bramble
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    Anodize? and you can get shiny colors as well on aluminum....


    http://www.engineersedge.com/anodize.htm

    http://www.engineersedge.com/sulfuric_anodize.htm

    http://www.engineersedge.com/chromic_anodize.htm
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