Coating specialists for over three decades
Ceramic anodising · Applied in the UK

DiamonDyze Ceramic Anodising

DiamonDyze is a ceramic anodising process for aluminium that matches or beats hard anodising for hardness and wear, while adding practically zero dimensional growth and a full range of colours. It is applied exclusively in the UK by Camcoat Performance Coatings.

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No part growth Over 8,000 hours salt spray Full colour range
DiamonDyze ceramic anodised aluminium parts in blue, gold, red, orange and purple

What it is

Ceramic and aluminium oxide, combined within the base metal

Anodising aluminium has been around for nearly a hundred years. The three established types each have a downside, whether in hardness, wear, corrosion resistance, choice of colour, or component growth.

DiamonDyze works differently. By altering the usual anodising parameters, micro ceramic materials are introduced into the pores of the base metal during the anodising process. That combination of ceramic and aluminium oxide within the metal itself is what gives DiamonDyze its surface properties.

The result is a dense, low friction, hard wearing surface that behaves like hard anodising but without the dimensional growth, and with colour available across the range.

Characteristics

  • Harder wearing than hard anodise
  • No part growth
  • Over 8,000 hours successful salt spray test
  • A dense, low friction surface
  • Full range of colours available
  • Suits most grades of aluminium

How it compares

The four types of anodising

Each established type of anodising trades something away. DiamonDyze was developed to remove those compromises.

Type I

Chromic acid

A minimum thickness of 18 microns, giving excellent corrosion resistance. Used mainly on products that must withstand continuous outdoor exposure.

Type II

Sulphuric acid

A thinner coating at 10 microns minimum, so it is restricted to applications where outdoor exposure is not an issue, or where the item is cleaned regularly.

Type III

Hard anodise

A thicker coating at a minimum of 25 microns, giving exceptional durability where corrosion and wear are the key factors. Parts grow dimensionally as it is applied.

Type IV

DiamonDyze

Equal or better hardness, smoothness and wear resistance than hard anodising, applied so that dimensional growth of the item is practically zero.

Why it matters

Machine to final size, then anodise

Because DiamonDyze adds practically no dimensional growth, aluminium components can be machined to final specification and even threaded, with no need for post anodising remachining.

  • No allowance needed for coating thickness
  • Threads can be cut before anodising
  • Low friction gives threads a freer fit than bare metal
  • Colour coding available alongside the wear properties
  • Comparable in cost to Type III hard anodising
  • Can be used alongside Camcoat ceramic coatings

Applications

Built for smaller precision components

Aluminium is the prime candidate metal and most grades can be treated. The surface properties and the nature of our facility mean DiamonDyze suits smaller precision components rather than large architectural structures.

Veterinary and medical equipment Top level camera parts High speed motors Brake and suspension components Laboratory equipment Marine components High precision engineered parts

Colour coding is often as important as the wear properties. Medical equipment where different and often corrosive gases are used is a good example, where black alone would not be enough.

For aluminium components that also need thermal management, DiamonDyze can be used in conjunction with our performance coatings, including piston and engine internal coatings.

Find us

Send your components in from anywhere in the UK

Warrington

129 Hoyle Street, Warrington, WA5 0LP

01925 445003

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Poynton

Unit 4a, Adlington Industrial Estate, Poynton, SK10 4NL

01625 858547

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Questions

DiamonDyze FAQ

What metals can be DiamonDyzed?
As with any of the anodising processes, aluminium is the prime candidate metal and most grades can be treated. The surface properties and the nature of our production facility mean the target applications are smaller precision components rather than large architectural structures.
How is DiamonDyze different from hard anodising?
DiamonDyze gives equal or better hardness, smoothness and wear resistance than Type III hard anodising, but it is applied in such a way that the dimensional growth of the item is practically zero. It is also available in a full range of colours rather than being limited to black.
Will my parts grow in size?
Practically no. That is the key difference. Components can be machined to final specification and even threaded without any need for post anodising remachining. On threads, the low friction of the smooth DiamonDyze surface actually gives a freer fit than bare metal.
How corrosion resistant is it?
DiamonDyzed aluminium has passed an 8,000 hour salt spray test, which is why it is being considered for automotive and marine applications where aluminium is substituted for steel as part of lightweighting.
What does it cost compared with hard anodising?
The cost is much the same as Type III hard anodising. Contact us with your component and quantity and we will give you a price.
Can it be combined with your ceramic coatings?
Yes. DiamonDyze can be used in conjunction with Camcoat ceramic coatings, which is useful where a component needs both a hard wearing anodised surface and thermal management.

For the background on how the process was developed, read our DiamonDyze history article, or see the technical data sheets.

Got an aluminium component in mind?

If you have, or know of, a product that would benefit from DiamonDyze ceramic anodising, get in touch and we will tell you what is possible.

Call 01925 445003 info@camcoat.com