> The naturally occuring oxide layer is only approximately 50 nm
> thick. I use an electrochemical method to increase the natural oxide to
> around 1000 nm. At this thickness the surface is quite durable. We use the
Stan, I'm curious about this "electrochemical method". Could you describe it in enough detail that I could reproduce the process? For example, what's the recipe for the solution, what temperature is nice, what do you use for a cathode, and what current density works best? I'm a physical chemist, and I'm handy enough with electronics to be able to build a constant-current power supply in order to achieve any desired current density at the Al surface.
-- Gerry