TY - CONF A1 - Raedel, Martina A1 - Bücker, Michael A1 - Feldmann, Ines A1 - Reimann, Mandy T1 - Mobile anodization for the conservation of damaged architectural aluminium elements N2 - Initial situation: Aluminum is an often-used building material in modern architecture, not only for construction but as well for facades and decorative elements. In the 1950th and 1960th, after World War II, many buildings in Germany were constructed with aluminum or contain elements of colored anodized aluminum. In the last years a larger number of these buildings are increasingly in the sight of conservation works including the aluminum parts such as window frames or facade coverings. Damaged Aluminum Surfaces: Common damages are a change of color or gloss changes through weathering processes, drill holes or marks due to later modifications, scratches in the anodized layer due to extensive wear e.g. at handrails or door handles. To repair damaged aluminum surfaces, there are usually two options: smaller damaged areas are repaired by using a touch-up pen. In case of larger damages, the complete re-anodization is necessary. This includes to de-anodize the surface with cleaning and grinding the whole aluminum object. Both possibilities are disadvantageous for the objects. The touch-up pen often does not match the color of the original surface together with an insufficient corrosion protection for outdoors. While the newly anodized surface differs in color and gloss from the originally applied color. Research Approach: The whole procedure contrasts with the principal approach in conservation which aims to intervene as less as possible, in case of the conservation of an object. To fulfill this approach in a more appropriate way the research project focuses on a mobile and partial application for colored, anodized aluminum parts. To anodize aluminum the application of an electrolyte onto the surface together with sufficient voltage and current is necessary. Generally diluted sulfuric acid is used as electrolyte. Different possibilities are examined to enable the mobile application of the electrolyte, e. g. the application by producing a gel matrix or like in electroplating by pen or brush wrapped with a fleece fabric. Experimental part: First experiments are conducted to examine the structure of the anodized layer in relation with proper cleaning, anodization time with applied voltage and current and the coloring process. The aim was to reduce the preparation procedure and the anodization time as much as possible to facilitate the mobile application. Examinations with Keyence microscope, Eddy current testing and REM are performed to characterize the layers. The results are shown in table 1. A clear connection between proper cleaning, anodization time, voltage and amperage and the achieved thickness of the anodized layer is significant. Cracks in the layer show that raising the voltage and amperage results in thicker layers but as well in a crumbled and less stable anodized surface. Gel preparation: In addition to the anodization process with a liquid e.g. sulfuric acid a gel application is tested to prevent the electrolyte from rinsing down during the mobile application. For this purpose, several gel-forming agents are tested together with their stability in acid systems. It was observed, that the consistency of the gels varies dependent of the time. Conductivity: The conductivity of sulfuric acid combined with different gel-systems was measured and compared in order to predict the possible growth of layers during anodic oxidation process. Further steps: Determination and optimization of application parameters like voltage, amperage and anodization-time to build up a preferably stable and sufficient thick anodized layer. Examination of gel preparation to guarantee a stable product, enforcing with textile tape for easy application. T2 - Architectural Aluminum in the 21st Century CY - Boston, MA, USA DA - 24.03.2018 KW - Aluminum KW - Anodization KW - Historic buildings KW - Mobile application PY - 2018 AN - OPUS4-45018 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Raedel, Martina A1 - Bücker, Michael A1 - Feldmann, Ines A1 - Reimann, M. T1 - Conservation of damaged architectural aluminum elements N2 - Aluminum is an often-used building material in modern architecture. In recent years buildings from the 1950th and 1960th are increasingly subject of conservation works including the aluminum parts. Typical surface damages are signs of corrosion caused by weathering processes or scratches in the anodized layer due to extensive wear. To repair damaged aluminum surfaces, there are usually two options: smaller areas are repaired by using a touch-up pen, for larger damages it is necessary to remove the anodized layer completely. Both possibilities are disadvantageous for the objects; the touch-up pen often does not match the color together with an insufficient corrosion protection, while newly anodized layers often differ in color and gloss from the original surface. For this reason, a research project was initiated to develop a mobile method to repair anodized aluminum parts. The first step focusses on the mobile anodization process by using the electrolyte with a gel substrate. Different cathodic materials are to be tested together with appropriate cooling material. The anodized area should be isolated to protect undamaged areas. Examinations of the produced layers are conducted by using Keyence microscope, eddy current testing and ESEM analysis. Further steps are to transform the coloring and sealing process for mobile application. Color could be applied by using a brush or by spray while the sealing process could be performed with water vapor. An heatable putty knife could be used, if heating up the area will be necessary. Once the application process is developed, the anodization will be tested on samples with artificial damages, fixed in horizontal and vertical positions. The stability of the anodized surface will be examined by accelerated ageing in a climate chamber and outdoor weathering. The electrolyte (diluted sulfuric acid) was combined with a gel binder to enable a mobile application. Several thickening agents were tested concerning their conductivity and stability in acid systems. Anodization tests with different cathodic material and shapes were conducted. The temperature during anodization was controlled and adjusted if necessary. The anodized area was restricted by using either a lacquer, an adhesive or a removable silicon barrier. The fist results show the feasibility of the method on enclosed areas. The achieved thickness was measured by eddy current testing and the structure was controlled by ESEM analysis. The examinations show a connection between thickness and porosity of the anodized layers and the temperature during the application process. Next steps are testing mobile coloring and sealing methods followed by mobile anodization on artificial damaged areas. T2 - Metal 2019 CY - Neuchâtel, Switzerland DA - 02.09.2019 KW - Mobile anodisation KW - Aluminium KW - Conservation KW - Damage repair PY - 2020 UR - https://www.lulu.com/shop/claudia-chemello-and-laura-brambilla-and-edith-joseph/metal-2019-proceedings-of-the-interim-meeting-of-the-icom-cc-metals-working-group-september-2-6-2019-neuch%C3%A2tel-switzerland-ebook/ebook/product-24517161.html AN - OPUS4-51479 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -