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The advantages of pre-anodized aluminum can be
applied to most products that are fabricated from sheet or
coil stock. Products that are made from extrusions, castings,
rod bar, or plate are limited to piece anodizing processes.
Experienced users of pre-anodized products have learned
that raw edges produced by cutting pre-finished stock do not
have to be a restrictive feature. Design alterations can most
often hide an edge, and because aluminum will seal itself in
the presence of oxygen, there is no loss in protection.
Leaching or creeping corrosion that occurs with steel
products, and flaking that occurs with painted surfaces are
not possible with pre-anodized aluminum.
Experience has also taught fabricators of pre-anodized
aluminum to make bends gradually. In this way they take
advantage of the hard, protective anodized surface without
crazing it. Certain metallic finishes that are embossed or
etched can help mask this phenomenon as well.
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