to abrasion.

The color, however, depends on the alloying elements and, thus,

varies among different alloys and even among parts of the same alloy due to
nonuniform mixing of alloying elements.
Anodized color tends to be more consistent in some alloys than others.
When aluminum is to be anodized, the color match between components of
varying alloys and fabrications should be considered, but it may result in a
trade-off with other considerations, such as price, strength, and corrosion
resistance.
Alloy 3003 is often used for wide sheet, for example, but alloy 5005
AQ (anodizing-quality) may be substituted (at a premium price) for improved
color consistency. Extrusions of alloys 6463 and 6063 are generally regarded
as providing better anodized appearance than 6061, but they are not as strong.
When their use is not constrained by price, strength, or availability, 5005
sheet material and 6063 extrusion alloy are preferred for color consistency.
6463 is used when a bright anodized finish is desired.
Architectural coatings are sometimes specified to tone down the glare from
mill finish, as well as to minimize the appearance of handling marks, surface
imperfections, and minor scratches. A dull gray initial appearance may be
cost effectively achieved with a Class II clear anodizing of 3003 alloy, following
an appropriate chemical etch (e.g., C22 medium matte). Over time
Class II clear anodizing might weather unevenly, but it will retain variations
of a dull gray, low-sheen appearance.
Anodizing can also affect at least one structural issue: the selection of weld
filler alloy. As mentioned above, when anodized by the same process, different
alloys will anodize to different colors. Because filler alloys are typically
different than the alloy of the base metal, filler alloys should be selected for
good color match if weldments are to be anodized. An example is weldments
of 6061, for which the Aluminum Specification (Table 7.2-1) recommend the
use of 4043 filler alloy. However, 4043 anodizes much darker than 6061,
resulting in the welds being a distinctly different color than the rest of the
anodized assembly. To avoid this two-tone appearance, 5356 filler alloy
should be used. Since anodizing must be removed before welding, assemblies
requiring both welding and anodizing should be welded before anodizing.
The size of the completed assembly should, therefore, be limited to that which
will fit in an anodizing tank.
Specifying an Anodized Finish Designating an anodized finish requires the
selection of color, process, and architectural class. The architectural class is
an Aluminum Association designation indicating the thickness of the oxide
layer. Class I is the thicker, and more expensive, designation. Some anodizers
recommend Class II as the best value, whereas others believe that Class I will
retain a more even appearance over time and is the more suitable choice.
Anything thinner than Class II is not recommended for exterior use. Thicknesses
are given in Table 3.12.
Anodizing may be colored or clear. Clear anodizing retains the gray aluminum
color, but it results in a more even appearance than mill finish. The