Method for producing an anodized aluminum article

Abstract

Method for producing an anodized aluminum article (1).

1 . Method for producing an anodized aluminum article having a matte, non-reflective surface, wherein a provided aluminum substrate is subjected to the following process steps:
 a) a pickling step in a pickling bath which contains a pickling solution;   b) a first rinsing step in a first rinsing bath which contains a first rinsing solution;   c) a second rinsing step in a second rinsing bath which contains a second rinsing solution;   d) a descaling step in a descaling bath which contains a descaling solution;   e) a third rinsing step in a third rinsing bath which contains a third rinsing solution;   f) a fourth rinsing step in a fourth rinsing bath which contains a fourth rinsing solution;   g) at least one anodizing step in at least one anodizing bath which contains an anodizing solution, as a result of which an anodized aluminum article is formed from the aluminum substrate;   h) at least one further rinsing step in at least one further rinsing bath which contains a further rinsing solution.   
     
     
         2 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein a degreasing step of the provided aluminum substrate for degreasing the aluminum substrate is carried out before the pickling step in the pickling bath, wherein a degreasing bath which contains an alkali degreasing solution is used, wherein the degreasing step is carried out for a time duration of between 1 and 60 min. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . Method according to  claim 2 , wherein after the degreasing step, but before the pickling step, a pre-rinsing step of the degreased aluminum substrate is carried out in the first rinsing bath which contains the first rinsing solution. 
     
     
         6 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein a pickling bath which contains an alkali pickling solution is used, wherein the alkali pickling solution contains caustic soda, aluminum, and at least one pickling additive. 
     
     
         7 . Method according to  claim 6 , wherein an alkali pickling solution which contains caustic soda, aluminum, and at least one pickling additive, which reduces or prevents pickling process-related foaming; and/or a pickling additive is used which influences the viscosity of the pickling solution; and/or a pickling additive is used which influences, the drag-out rate of the pickling solution, is used. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . Method according to  claim 7 , wherein an alkali pickling solution is used, which contains
 caustic soda in a concentration between 20 and 90 g/l;   aluminum in a concentration between 20 and 90 g/l; and   a pickling additive in a concentration between 1 and 20 g/l.   
     
     
         10 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pickling step is carried out for a time duration of between 1 and 60 min. 
     
     
         11 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein a first and/or a second rinsing bath which contains process or fresh water as the rinsing solution is used. 
     
     
         12 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and/or the second rinsing step is carried out for a time duration of between 1 and 90 sec. 
     
     
         13 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein a descaling bath which contains an acidic descaling solution, which contains nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, or sulfuric acid in concentration between 50 and 400 g/l, is used. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the descaling step is carried out for a time duration of between 1 and 60 min. 
     
     
         17 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein a third and/or a fourth rinsing bath which contains process or fresh water as the rinsing solution is used, wherein the third and/or the fourth rinsing step is carried out for a time duration of time 1 and 90 sec. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one anodizing bath which contains an acidic anodizing solution, which contains sulfuric acid in a concentration between 50 and 400 g/l, is used. 
     
     
         20 . Method according to  claim 19 , wherein an acidic anodizing solution which contains an aluminum salt and sulfuric acid is used. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . Method according to  claim 19 , wherein the anodizing step in the at least one anodizing bath is carried out for a time duration of between 1 and 60 min. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one rinsing step that follows the at least one anodizing step is carried out in at least one further rinsing bath which contains service or fresh water as the rinsing solution, wherein the at least one further rinsing step is carried out for a time duration of between 1 and 90 sec. 
     
     
         25 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the degreasing step is carried out at a temperature in a range between 20 and 80° C. 
     
     
         31 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pickling step is carried out at a temperature in a range between 30 and 90° C. 
     
     
         32 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the descaling step is carried out at a temperature in a range between 0 and 50° C. 
     
     
         33 . Method according to  claim 1 , wherein the anodizing step is carried out at a temperature in a range between 0 and 50° C. 
     
     
         34 . (canceled)