Eco-Friendly Anodize

Etching is a vital step during the anodize process.

The etch process is designed to dissolve a thin layer on the surface of the aluminum to develop a smooth uniform finish. Linetec has made a change in its etch chemistry from traditional caustic etch to a more eco-friendly etch process.

Acid etch comparison to Caustic etch

This image depicts conventional clear anodize sample on top and eco-friendly clear anodize sample underneath. Neither the conventional etch process nor the eco-friendly etch process removes irregularities in the aluminum, but the eco-friendly etch does a much better job of concealing them.
Environmental Benefits of Acid Etch Process

  • Secondary billet can be successfully anodized, contributing to recycled material content by green programs such as the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED™ Green Building Rating System.
  • The eco-friendly anodize process reduces landfill waste used with conventional etch processes by 75-80%
  • The process byproducts from the etching process are recyclable, into a usable product that can be made into aluminum
  • Reduction in energy used for waste treatment process
Eco-Friendly Anodize Process

Linetec's Anodize process offers a superior aesthetic finish and a more environmentally-friendly product with our new etch technology.

The eco-friendly etch process creates an aesthetically appealing "frostier" appearance that helps hide small defects, such as die lines, flow lines, minor corrosion and scratches, that may occur on the aluminum surface of architectural products. Although neither conventional caustic nor acid etch removes all irregularities in the aluminum, acid etch does a better job of concealing them. This gives the material a better aesthetic finish on both primary and secondary (recycled) billet.

Linetec's eco-friendly anodize process meets or exceeds all AAMA 611 specifications. Standard warranty of 5 years and optional extended 10 year warranty apply.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Anodize Include:

  • Superior aesthetic finish - produces a frostier matte (most evident in clear anodize)
  • Hides small defects on the aluminum surface such as die lines, flow lines, minor corrosion and scratches.
  • Low gloss level reduces glare in bright sunlight. Gloss level reading is reduced from 16 to 24 with conventional anodize, down to a gloss level of four.
  • Aluminum removed during the etching process is reduced by 80%, down to 0.5 mils, allowing for a more consistent extrusion tolerance between paint and anodize.
  • The etch process has the viscosity of water and will not collect in the small recesses of aluminum extrusions or narrow aluminum tubes, enhancing the durability and lifecycles of the finished product.
  • Conventional anodized material can be converted to eco-friendly anodize and vise versa.


Specify Eco-Friendly Anodize - M10C21A44

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