ANOF process

Anodic oxidation with spark discharge, also known as the ANOF process, is a special process for the surface treatment of metals. It is often used in industry to improve the surface hardness, corrosion resistance and wear resistance of metal parts.

In anodic oxidation with spark discharge, the metal part is placed in an electrolyte solution as an anode, while a cathode is also present in the solution. Applying an electrical voltage creates a spark discharge between the anode and the cathode. This spark discharge generates high energy, which leads to a local increase in temperature and the occurrence of microdischarges on the surface of the metal part.

These micro-discharges cause oxidative destruction of the metal surface and lead to the formation of a thin oxide layer. This oxide layer is usually hard, dense and adheres well. By controlling the process parameters such as voltage, current and duration of the spark discharge, the thickness and quality of the oxide layer can be precisely controlled.

The ANOF process offers an effective way of specifically modifying the surface properties of metal parts to improve their performance and service life. It is often used in industries such as aerospace, automotive and electronics manufacturing where high quality and durable metal parts are required.