Anodizing forms a dense, hard, and corrosion-resistant oxide layer on the surface of a metal component when an electric current is applied. Standard anodizing typically produces coatings with a thickness of 5-20 μm and is available in various colors, including natural, black, blue, and red. It is commonly used for architectural aluminum profiles, structural components, brackets, and equipment enclosures. Hard anodizing produces thicker coatings ranging from 25-150 μm, providing excellent hardness and wear resistance. This finish is widely used for cylinders, pistons, wear-resistant mechanical parts, and tooling fixtures.