June 1985
June 1985
P41L-A-86251)
30 June 1985
SUPERSEDING
MIL-A-8625C
15 January 1968
MILITARY SPECIFICATION
1. SCOPE
1.1 Scope. This specification covers the requ rements for three types and
two classes of electrolvticallv formed anodic coat ngs on aluminum and
aluminum alloys for non~archit~ctural applications
1.2.1 Types
1.2.2 Classes.
2. APPLICABLE DOCUMENTS
MIL-A-8625D
SPECIFICATIONS
MILITARY
STANDARDS
FEDERAL
MILITARY
I 141L-A-86250
I 3. REQUIREMENTS
3.1.1 8ase metal. ‘Thebase metal shall be sufficiently free from surface
defects, caused by machining, cutting, scratching, polishing, buffing, roughen-
ing, bending, stretching, deforming, rolling, sandblasting, vaporb]asting,
etching, heat treatment condition, alloy chemistry imbalance and inclusions,
that will cause test panels or parts not to meet all applicable requirements
for the type and class of anodize required. It shall be subjected to such
cleaning, etching, anodizing and sealing procedures as necessary to yield
coatings meeting all requirements of this specification (see 3.9).
3.2 Equipment and processes. The equipment and processes employed shall
be such as to uroduce coatinqs which meet the requirements of this specific-
ation. Unless” otherwise spe~ified in the contract, order or applicable drawing
(see 6.2.1), process operating conditions shall be at the option of the
supplier, subject to approval of the acquiring activity.
3.3 General.
flux. Parts shall have oxide and other interfering films removed by the use
of proper cleaning procedures so as to be clean and have water break free
surfaces. Unless otherwise specified in the contract, order or applicable
drawing, anodic coatings shall not be applied to assemblies which will entrap
the electrolyte in joints or recesses. Anodic coatings shall not be used for
assemblies where the electrolyte cannot be removed. When authorized by the
contract, order or applicable drawings, edges shall be masked to prevent
electrolyte entry. Spot welded assemblies are examples of assemblies
requiring edge masking. Residual electrolytes, especially sulfuric acid from
Type II baths, will engender corrosion of aluminum. Where coating of
assemblies is not authorized, parts of assemblies shall be anodic coated
before assembling. Post cleaning of anodized surfaces of these parts of
assemblies shall be accomplished with slightly acidic or deionized water in
order to allow for proper anodic seal.
3.4.3 Type 111 coating. Type III coatings shall be the result of treating
aluminum and aluminum alloys electrolytically to produce a uniform anodic
coating on the metal surface. Coatings conforming to Type III classifi-
cation, as specified in accordance with the contract, order or applicable
drawing, shall be prepared by any process operation to produce a heavy dense
coating of specified thickness on aluminum alloys (see 3.5). Type 111 coating
processes may be used to produce Type 11 coatings.
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MIL-A-8625D
drawing, the nominal thickness of the coating shall be !).002 inch (2 roils).
Unless otherwise specified, the thickness of the coating shall not vary by
more than plus or minus ten percent (see 6.14.4).
3.8 Class 2 coatings. Class 2 anodic coatings of Types 1, 11, and 111
shall be uniformly dyed or pigmented by exposure to a solution of a suitable
type dye or stain. The color on wrought alloys shall be uniform. Cast alloys
may exhibit dye bleed-out or lack of color associated with the inherent
porosity of the casting. The various dyes and pigments shall not be damaging
to the anodic coatings.
3.8.1 Co!or. When dyed or pigmented coatings are required, the color shall
be as speclf}ed by the contract, order or applicable drawing (see 6.2.1).
3.8.2 Casting alloys. Dyed casting alloys may shows slight lack of
uniformity. The degree of non-uniformity that is acceptable shall be
established by the procuring activity (see 6.2.1).
3.10. 1.1 Weight of coating. After sealing, Types I and 11 coatings shall
conform to the minimum weight requirements of Table I when tested in accordance
with 4.3,3 (see 6.11.6). When Type 11, Class 2, coatings are specified for
identification purposes on parts such as rivets to be mechanically deformed,
the minimum coating weight for Type II, Class i, coatings shall apply.
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MIL-A-8625D
3.10. I.2 Corrosion resistance. Sealed anodic coatings shall protect the
substrate metal when specimens or items are subject to the corrosion
resistance test specified in 4.5.3. When examining the specimen panels for
corrosion resistance, the specimen panels shall show no more than a few pits
visible without magnification. The specimen panels or finished products shal
show no more than a total of 15 isolated spots or pits, none larger than 1/32
inch in diameter, in a total of 150 square inches of test area grouped from
five or more test pieces; nor more than 5 isolated spots or pits, none larger
than 1/32 inch in diameter, in a total of 30 square inches from one or more
test pieces; except those areas within 1/16 inch from identification markings,
edges and electrode contact marks remaining after processing.
3. 10.1.4 Thickness. The requirements for thickness for Type I and Type II
castings are specified in Tables III, IV, and V.
3.11 Sealing.
3.11.1 Types I and II. All Types I and II anodic coatings shall becom-
pletely sealed, unless otherwise specified in the contract, order or applic-
able drawing, by oxide hydration or absorption of metallic salt inhibitors.
If wetting agents are used they must be of the non-ionic type. (see 6.2.1).
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MIL-A-8625D
3.11.2 Type 111. Type 111 coat~ngs shall not be seaJed where the main
function of application is to obtain the maximum degree of abrasion or wear
resistance. Where Type 111 coatings are used for exterior non-maintained
applications requiring corrosion resistance but permitting reduced abrasion
resistance, the coatings shall be sealed. Sealing for such Type 111 coatings
shall be accomplished by immersion in a medium, such as boiling deionized
water, in hot aqueous 5 percent sodium bichromate, in a hot aqueous solution
containing nickel or cobalt acetate or other suitable chemical solutions {see
6.2.]). Unless otherwise specified in the contract, order or applicable
dra~ing, Type 111 anodic coatings shall be furnished unsealed as Class 1
only. When unsealed, parts shall be thoroughly rinsed in cold, deionized
clean water and dried after anodizing.
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4.3.3.2 Test specimens. The test specimens for the process control
inspection shall be prepared in accordance with 4.3.3.2 1 through 4.3.3.2.3,
as applicable, for the anodic coating weight, corrosion resistance, light
resistance and abrasion resistance. If more than one a’uminum alloy is being
processed at the same time, the alloy representing the argest part of current
production shall be used for process control inspection specimens, that
o
is, all tests may be conducted with specimens made from that alloy. It is not
necessary to test specimens of every alloy being processed at one time.
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4.3.3.2.1 Specimens for thickness and anodic coating weight. Random items
(if the surface area is measurable) or separate specimen panels, prepared as
specified herein, shall be selected at least once a Meek for determination of
coating weight. If separate specimens are required, they shall be aluminum
ailoy panels not less than 3 inches in length and width, 0.032 inch nominal
thickness, and of the same composition and temper as the production work and
anodized concurrently. The selected items or prepared specimen panels shall
be tested for artodlc coating weight either in accordance with ANSI/ASTFIB 137,
Height of Coating on Anodical!y Coated Aluminum, or the method specified in
4.5.2.1, at the option of the contractor, to determine conformance to the
requirements of 3.10.1.1, for the specified minimum weight of the Type I or
Type 11 coatings. The item or separatq specimen panel shall be considered
defective if the coating weight fails to meet the specified minimum weight and
no further work shall be processed untii adjustments have been made to bring
the coating weight up to the required minimum. However, if production in
accordance with this specification is not performed for a period of one week
01” longer, these tests shall be conducted at the beginning of production
start-up.
4.4.1 Lot. A lot shall consist of all articles, items, parts or components
with anodi~oatings of the same type and class, approximately the same size,
shape, thickness and color submitted for inspection at one time. The lot size
shall not exceed the number of parts, articles, items or components resulting
from one eight-hour production period.
MIL-A-8625D
4.5 Tests.
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htIL-A-862511
4.5.3 Corrosion resistance. When processed parts are such that they may
be conveniently adaDted for the corrosion resistant test, the actual parts may
be selected fo~ test in lieu of separate test panels prepared in accordance
with 4.3.3.2.2. The selected items or specimen test panels shall be tested
for corrosion resistance in accordance with the method specified in 4.5.3.1.
4.5.5 Abrasion resistance. 14hen processed parts are such that they may be
conveniently adapted for the abrasion test, the actual part may be selected
for test in-lieu-of separate test panels prepared in accordanc~ with
4.3.3.2.3. The selected items or specimen test panels shall be tested In
accordance with Method 6192 of FED-STO-141 using IX-17 wheels with 1000 gram
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MIL-A-8625D
6. NOTES
6.1.1 Types I and II. The conventional Types I and II anodic coatings
are intended to improve surface corrosion protection under severe service
conditions or as a base for paint systems. Anodic coatings can be colored
with a large variety of dyes and pigments. Types I and II coatings provide
better corrosion protection at higher cost than the chromate chemical
conversion systems (MIL-C-5541). Repair of mechanically damaged areas by the
use of materials conforming to MIL-C-5541 (see 3.3.5) will not restore abrasion
resistance but provide an effective means of reestablishing corrosion
resistance.
6.1.2 Type III. Type 111 coatings are intended to provide wear and
abrasion resistant surfaces with improved corrosion protection due to greater
thickness and weight than the conventional anodic coatings. Sealing
of Type III coatings is not recommended unless corrosion resistance is also a
factor. Hear resistance is reduced by sealing. Anodic coatings form an
excellent base for most types of paint systems, adhesives and dry film
lubricants. Hard coatings may reduce fatigue strength. These factors should
be considered in proposed use of parts subjected to cyclic loads. Generally,
these hard coat,ings should not be used on parts or portions of parts which
normally during rework would require restoring of dimensional tolerances
because of wear of hard coated surfaces.
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MIL-A-86250
6.6 Color match. FEO-STO-595 may be used as a guide for specifying color
of anodic coatings. The color standards in FED-STO-595 are intended for paint
finishes and should be used for approximate comparison only with the anodic
coatings. (see 6.2.?).
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MIL-A-8625D
6.7 Light-fastness. The black dye has been found satisfactory by the
Department of the Army in post-anodic processing of Type II coating to meet
the requirements of light-fastness (see 3.10.1.3) when tested in accordance
with 4.5.4.
6.8 Lapping. The Type III anodic coatings generally have increased
I
surface roughness as well as having the property of being softer on the top
surface thafldown in the core of the coating toward the base metal. Such
coatings may be processed oversized and then lapped or honed down to the final
desired dimension.
6.11 .1.1 Holes. In the case of small holes and tapped holes, coating
thickness can vary from no film to a full normal coating. Holes, both tapped
and not tapped, over 1/4 inch shall be anodized. Parts with Type II coatings,
external or internal, with a total tolerance of 0.0004 inch or less, if lapped,
honed or stoned to size after anodizing, must be subsequently treated in ac-
cordance with MIL-C-5541 to provide surface protection. Discoloration on the
surface that has been sized is acceptable (see 6.8). The designer is
cautioned to require adequate thread and hole sealing operations in subsequent
assemblies as may be required to produce the necessary corrosion resistance.
I
dimensions for external and internal threads; the major and minor diameter
will be increased 2 times the amount of growth (see 6.11.1). The pitch
diameter for threads having an included angle of 60° will increase 4 times the
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amount of growth. For threads having an included angle, other than 60°, the
pitch diameter will increase 2 ttmes the anwntofgrowth (see 6.11.1) divided
by the sine of 1/2 the included angle.
6.11.4 Coating thickness. Thickness of the heavy Type 111 coating can be
controlled to extremely close tolerances. Anodized coating can be obtained
with tolerances of as little as + 0.0001 inch (0.1 roil). With all anodizing
processes used primarily for eng~neering rather than for decorative purposes,
a number of highly specialized techniques are used for operation control. One
method that may be employed is to carefully measure the coated part whtle
still wet and replace It in the bath for a fixed period of treatment.
Calculations based upon a calculated rate of coating per uriitof process~ng
time may be used as the basis for determining the exact duration of processing
required for the specific alloy being coated.
6.11 .6.2 L!lE_U. For exterior surfaces processed from sulfuric acid
electrolyte! (Type 11) that are cleaned regularly, a thickness of at least
0.0004 inch (approximately 2450 milligrams per square foot) will assure high
resistance to weathering. For exterior parts that are handled frequently or
kept without maintenance, a minimum thickness of 0.0007 inch (approximately
38%mi?l igrams per square toot) should be required. For ordinary applica-
tions for interior service, coatings 0.0004 inch thick are ample. b$here
abrasive resistance is not a factor and parts are not normally handled, thick-
ness of 0.00013 to o.000z5 inch (900 to 1700 milligrams per square foot) may M
adequate.
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MIL-A-8625D
6.13 Changes from previous issue. Asterisks are not used in this revision
to identify changes with respect to the previous issue due to the extensiveness
of the changes.
Review activities:
Army - AR, AV, MI, MU
Navy - EC, OS, SH
Air Force - 70,71, 80, 82, 99
User activities:
Army - AT, EL, GL, ME
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141L-A-8625D
o
?
Milligrams per square foot (minimum)
Type class 1 Class 2
I 200 500
11 600 2500 ~/
~1 For wrought alloys of the 2000 series (such as 201], 2014, 2017,
2219, 2024, etc.) where copper is the major alloying element and
for casting a?loys with a nominal copper content of 1.0 percent
or greater (such as 213.0. 222.0, 242.0, 296.0, 333.0 and 852.0)
etc. , the the minimum coating weights shall be 1400 milligrams
per square foot.
Paragraph
Applicable Specimen
Test type size Requirement Preparation
{/ Ligi!t fastness te~~ is Iequl[ecl only wher; specified in the contract, order
or applicable drawing. If mme than one alloy is being processed in
production, test speclwens shall be used for the alloy with the largest
quantity.
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MIL-A-8625D
TABLE IV. Th ckness ranges of anodic coatings on al Iminum and aluminum ——al w
—
—
0.00002 to 0.0003
1! 0.00007 to 0.0010
III 0.0005 to 0.0045
● ;