B580 Standard Specification for Anodic Oxide Coatings on Aluminum
The American National Standards Institute provides licensed copies of ASTM specifications.
: The year the standard was originally approved or significantly revised (1979).
: Surfaces must be cleaned and mechanically or chemically finished before anodizing. astm b580-79 pdf
No. It is a historical standard that has been withdrawn. It should not be used for new designs unless specified in a legacy contract.
The standard is developed by ASTM Committee B08 on Metallic and Inorganic Coatings, specifically Subcommittee B08.07 on Conversion Coatings, and is under the jurisdiction of ASTM International. It has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense as a legally recognized specification for military and federal applications. In fact, ASTM B580 has been incorporated by reference into the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR 171.7), meaning it carries the force of law in certain regulatory contexts.
Thickness is the primary metric determining a coating's durability. ASTM B580 specifies non-destructive eddy-current testing or destructive microscopic cross-sectioning to verify that the oxide layer meets the minimum requirements listed in the classification table. 2. Sealing Quality B580 Standard Specification for Anodic Oxide Coatings on
The standard laid out strict criteria for:
The anodic layer must be continuous, smooth, and free of visual defects like burning, blistering, or powdery surfaces.
: Anodizing builds up the surface of the aluminum. For tight-tolerance components (especially Type A), ensure the machining drawings specify whether dimensions apply before or after anodizing. The standard is developed by ASTM Committee B08
The 6-type classification system is incredibly straightforward, making communication between design engineers and anodizing job shops highly efficient.
The most recent historical versions (2014 and 2019) are widely available for purchase, but the is now ASTM B580-25 (Standard Specification for Anodic Oxide Coatings on Aluminum). Users seeking the most up‑to‑date requirements should obtain B580-25 rather than the older B580-79 series.
: It details the requirements for the anodizing process, including the type of anodizing, the thickness of the anodic coating, and the sealing process. The anodizing process is crucial as it enhances the corrosion resistance and durability of the aluminum surface.
: To provide uniform emissivity and high dielectric strength. Document Status and Access