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When it comes to creating bespoke awards and trophies, one particular finish, due to many factors, has been rising in popularity for the last few years.
Anodising of aluminium trophies is now one of the most popular finishes you can choose, and this is for a variety of reasons.
In this article we’ll explain what anodising is, and why it’s become such a popular finish for awards and trophies.
We’ll look at:
- What is anodising?
- Creative opportunities with anodised awards
- Anodised trophies for enhanced sustainability
- Caring for an anodised trophy
- Affordable trophies with a high class finish
- Bespoke designs for anodised aluminium awards
Once you know all about anodising, you’ll see why it’s become such a popular trend for awards and trophies.
What is anodising?
Anodising is an electrochemical process that is used to strengthen and protect aluminium by creating a layer of aluminium oxide on its surface.
This layer can be electrolytic coloured or dyed to create the ideal finish both in design, durability and a multitude of vibrant colours.
Creative opportunities with anodised awards
One of the biggest benefits of anodising over other metal finishes, is that there are numerous opportunities to create unique and original designs.
Colour variations
You can colour aluminium in several different ways during the anodisation process.
One is electrolytic, where after the aluminium is anodised, it goes through a second electrolytic process to fill the pores in the aluminium with a metal-based colouring. Common colours include black, blue, brown and bronze and are commonly derived from tin, cobalt, nickel or copper.
Another popular method is dyeing, where a coloured dye is added during the initial anodisation process and is absorbed into the pores of the anodised surface.
This is a particularly popular method as it can produce a much wider range of colours.
Premium finish
The standard anodised finish is a premium looking satin effect. This offers a beautiful, contemporary and modern style that gives a very different aesthetic to more traditional finishes such as plating or powder coating.
Striking engraving
When you colour anodised aluminium, the metal underneath the top layer stays silver. That means that when the trophy is laser engraved, you cut through to that bright layer underneath.
Engraved anodised trophies have a sharp, striking finish as the engraved area shows through in silver as the laser effectively removes the coating. This allows for wonderful elaborate patterns, logos and images to be engraved with pin sharp precision and clarity.
Anodised trophies for enhanced sustainability
One of the advantages of using aluminium anodising is that you can create a more sustainable award. Because aluminium is easily recyclable, and the process itself isn’t energy intensive, anodised awards can be more environmentally friendly than some other materials or finishes.
Recycled anodised aluminium trophies
At EFX we use up to 79% recycled aluminium for our trophies, and because of the nature of aluminium, those trophies can also easily be recycled again, indefinitely.
That means we’re keeping as much of the aluminium as possible in circulation, rather than using more.
It’s also easier to recycle these awards than it is to recycle a plated trophy. That’s because the aluminium oxide layer is fused with the aluminium underneath, and doesn’t need to be stripped off before recycling can happen.
The recycling process for aluminium also requires around 5% of the energy required to produce new aluminium, so it’s a fantastic choice if you’re keen to show the sustainability of your award or brand.
Lower energy consumption
Electroplating is an energy-intensive process, whereas the process of anodisation takes a lot less power.
However, one area where anodising does consume more resources is water. This is why at EFX we have an on-site water treatment plant, to not only ensure that the waste water from this process is made safe but is recycled to be used again and again.
Caring for an anodised trophy
An anodised finish typically means that your award can be easier to keep clean, Not only is an anodised trophy non-fading, it’ll maintain its finish longer without cleaning than a plated award and because the process bonds the colour to the metal, it’s also very durable.
Easy care
Because your award won’t tarnish, it means you don’t need to worry about polishing it to keep it looking its best.
You will need to make sure that when you clean it you use a non pH cleaner, but most standard multi-purpose cleaners will be suitable.
Affordable trophies with a high quality finish
The last big reason to choose an anodised award is a straightforward one – it can be more cost effective than a plated trophy.
The biggest factor in this is that you don’t need to splash out on any precious metal such as silver or gold – but still get the beautiful, premium finish you’re looking for.
Bespoke designs for anodised aluminium awards
With so much going for them around pricing, sustainability, longevity and creativity, it’s easy to see why anodised trophies are growing in popularity.
If you’re interested in creating a bespoke anodised aluminium award for your event, business, competition or awards evening, our design team would love to hear from you.
For more information on Why Anodising Could be the Future for Trophy Finishes talk to EFX - Awards Trophies