Blue 4A Anodizing Dye
Part Number: DYEB30
The dye supplied is 90gms allowing for a makeup of 30 litres at 3gm/L
1. Description
Specialty Blue 4A is a single component, water soluble dye, used to color anodized aluminum dark blue, similar to classic dark blue jeans. Long tank life with no color shift on aging. RoHS compliant
2. Application instructions
Concentration: 2-4 g/l pH: 6.0 ±0.5
Buffering: Not required
Temperature: 60°C ±2°C.
Oxide film thickness: 0.40 mils. or greater
Dye time: Depending on the shade desired, dye times could range from 5-15 minutes, but can only be determined by sampling in production.
Preferred sealing: Caswell Sealant
3. Conditions for using Specialty Blue 4A
Tank:
Stainless steel or other acid resistant materials such as neoprene, polyethylene and polypropylene that can withstand a constant operating temperature of 140°F. HDPE buckets are supplied in Caswell Australia's Anodizing kit.
Water quality:
Distilled or Deionized.
pH adjustments:
Raise with sodium hydroxide. Lower with acetic acid. The pH should be checked once per shift for commercial or heavy users, with a calibrated meter and maintained within recommended range.
Bath agitation:
Moderate agitation must be used for high uniformity of color.
Rinsing:
It is important to remove all acid residues clinging to the work and acid retention in the oxide pore itself.
Rinse work load thoroughly after anodizing.
A minimum of two rinses is recommended, with the second rinse at over-flow.
To increase rinsing effectiveness, add vigorous air agitation in all rinse tanks.
This also improves your rinsing of surfaces on complicated shaped parts.
4. Light fastness
Rating:
4 (1=poor, 8=excellent) This color is not recommended for outdoor applications or other situations where it is subjected to intense UV radiation.
5. Storage
Shelf life is virtually unlimited. Store in original container in a cool dry location.
Close package tightly after removal of dye if you are not going to use the full amount. In humid environments, dye powder may clump-up.
6. Preparation of a new dyebath
1. A cleaned tank is filled with deionized water to about 75% of final volume and raised to dyeing temperature.
2. The required amount of dye is weighed out and dissolved in hot deionized water (71°-82°C) in a separate container until a slurry is formed. This is your stock solution.
3. With agitation turned on in tank, pour stock solution into tank.
4. Top off the tank to final working solution volume with more hot deionized water and agitate for 15 minutes.
5. Using a calibrated pH meter, check the pH and adjust if necessary.
6. The dyebath is brought to dyeing temperature, 60°C ±2°C.
7. Product safety We recommend that the company/operator read and review the Material Safety Data Sheet for the appropriate health and safety warnings before use.
See below for current MSDS
