US5066368A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Process for producing black integrally colored anodized aluminum components
Assignee: Advanced Technology Interconnect Inc
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Filing: 1990-08-17
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Granted: 1991-11-19
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Expires: 2010-08-17
Abstract
Abstract A process for producing electronic package components from an aluminum alloy is disclosed. The components have a black color through integral color anodization. The desired color, thickness and surface finish are achieved by regulation of amperage during anodization. The amperage is rapidly raised to in excess of 70 amps per square foot and then allowed to gradually decrease as a function of oxide growth while the voltage is maintained in excess of 70 volts.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony M. Pasqualoni
- 👤 Deepak Mahulikar
- 👤 Satish K. Jalota
- 👤 Andrew J. Brock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:51
CPC Classifications
C; C25; C25D; C25D11/00; C25D11/02; C25D11/04; C25D11/14; H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/44; H10; H10W; H10W70/00; H10W70/60; H10W70/67; H10W70/68; H10W70/682; H10W90/00; H10W90/701; H10W90/751; H10W90/756
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A process for producing an anodized aluminum component, comprising the steps of: (a). providing said component to be an aluminum alloy capable of forming a light black to black color by integral color anodization; (b). anodizing said component in an electrolytic cell suitable for integral color anodization by increasing the cell voltage at a rate effective to increase the current density from zero to over a peak value in excess of about 70 amps per square foot within about 3 minutes; and (c). then immediately causing said current density to decrease from said peak value while thereafter maintaining a voltage in excess of about 70 volts to form a light black to black integral color anodization layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A process for producing an anodized aluminum component, comprising the steps of: (a). providing said component to be an aluminum alloy capable of forming a light black to black color by integral color anodization; (b). anodizing said component in an electrolytic cell suitable for integral color anodization by increasing the cell voltage at a rate effective to increase the current density from zero to over a peak value in excess of about 70 amps per square foot within about 3 minutes; and (c). then immediately causing said current density to decrease from said peak value while thereafter maintaining a voltage in excess of about 70 volts to form a light black to black integral color anodization layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said aluminum alloy contains an effective concentration of manganese or silicon to form a light black to black color.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 2 wherein said aluminum alloy is selected from the 3xxx or 6xxx series.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said aluminum alloy is selected to be aluminum alloy 3003.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said electrolyte comprises an aqueous mixture of sulfuric and sulfosalicylic acids.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the concentration of sulfuric acid is from about 1 to about 4 g/l and of sulfosalicylic acid is from about 50 to about 120 g/l.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 5 wherein during step (b) said voltage is increased at a rate of from about 10 to about 50 volts per minute.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 7 wherein during step (b) said voltage is increased at a rate of from about 30 to about 40 volts per minute.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said peak current density is from about 80 to about 110 ASF.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 9 wherein the time required to reach said peak current density is from about 1.5 to about 2.5 minutes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 9 wherein during step (c) said voltage is maintained at in excess of about 70 to about 90 volts.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 9 wherein during step (c) said voltage is maintained in excess of about 70 volts for a time sufficient to produce an anodic film having a thickness of from about 0.2 to about 1.0 mils.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 12 wherein the time said voltage is maintained in excess of about 70 volts for from about 8 to about 12 minutes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said peak current density, electrolyte temperature and sulfuric acid concentration are effective to produce pores having an average diameter of from about 50 to about 500 angstroms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 14 wherein said peak current density, electrolyte temperature and sulfuric acid concentration are effective to produce pores having an average diameter of from about 75 to about 200 angstroms.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 14 wherein said current density subsequent to said peak current density is effective to produce an average microscopic surface roughness in excess of 4,000 angstroms.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 16 wherein said current density after said peak remains in excess of about 40 ASF.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
The process of claim 14 wherein said electrolyte is at a temperature of about 20° C. said sulfuric acid concentration is from about 1 to about 4 gm/l and said peak current density is from about 80 to about 110 ASF.
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