Anodized Aluminum Finishes

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Author Message Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 288 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Monday, November 16, 2015 - 11:42 am:    I have a subcontractor telling me that clear anodizing has changed from M12 to M10 as the industry standard. However, ARCOM MasterSpec still says, "Clear Anodic Finish: AAMA 611, AA-M12C22A31" for sections updated as recently as 2014. The aluminum anodizers council website lists anodizing types, but not which ones are most likely used. Some manufacturer's websites say they have changed, and their marketing departments claim M10 is more 'environmentally friendly." Does anyone have technical supporting documents about this, one way or the other? - Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 614 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Monday, November 16, 2015 - 12:20 pm:    The "M" designates the mechanical finish that the aluminum member receives. The "C" designates the chemical finish, and the "A" designated the anodic coating, ie type of acid, color, thickness, etc. A given mechanical finish can be used with multiple chemical finishes and anodic coatings, so saying that clear anodizing has changed from M12 to M10 is confusing at best. "M12" designates a nonspecular as fabricated mechanical finish, ie an "as-extruded" mechanical finish. "M10" designates an unspecified as fabricated mechanical finish. I do not understand why one of these mechanical finishes would be more environmentally friendly than another (but it's the kind of statement I'd expect to hear from a marketing department). Specific descriptions of the M, C and A designations are given in AAMA A611, and also are found on http://www.wikk.com/Wikk%20Anodized%20Color%20Car1.pdf