Fluorescent anodization dye and associated methods

Abstract

A method for anodizing and dying metal using a fluorescent anodization dye includes cleaning a metallic object to remove grease, chemicals, impurities and existing anodization; performing an anodization procedure on the metallic object; submerging the metallic object within a fluorescent dye bath; and sealing the fluorescent dye and anodization to the metallic object surface.

1 . A method for anodizing and dying metal, said method comprising:
 removing grease from a metallic object to be dyed;   preparing a caustic bath;   submerging the metallic object within the caustic bath for a first period of time;   preparing an anodization bath;   submerging the metallic object within the anodization bath;   applying a current and a voltage to the submerged metallic object within the anodization bath for a second period of time;   preparing a fluorescent dye bath;   submerging the metallic object within the fluorescent dye bath for a third period of time; and   performing a sealing procedure on the metallic object to create a fluorescent dyed and anodized finish on the metallic object.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent dye bath functions to impart a green fluorescent color onto the metallic object. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the fluorescent dye bath comprises:
 a solution containing 1% Pyranine in distilled water.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent dye bath functions to impart a light teal fluorescent color onto the metallic object. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the fluorescent dye bath comprises:
 a solution containing 1% Pyranine in glycol solution.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent dye bath functions to impart a dark teal fluorescent color onto the metallic object. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the fluorescent dye bath comprises:
 a solution containing 1% Pyranine in an ethylene glycol solution.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent dye bath functions to impart a blue fluorescent color onto the metallic object. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the fluorescent dye bath comprises:
 a solution containing 1% Triphenylmethane in distilled water.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent dye bath functions to impart an orange fluorescent color onto the metallic object. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fluorescent dye bath comprises:
 a solution containing 1% Xanthene and Coumarin in a glycol solution.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fluorescent dye bath functions to impart a pink fluorescent color onto the metallic object. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fluorescent dye bath comprises:
 a solution containing 1% Rhodamine in a glycol solution.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the preparing the caustic bath comprises:
 preparing a solution of water and sodium hydroxide, Lye or caustic soda; and   the first period of time comprises  5  minutes.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 performing a first rinse procedure between the degreasing step and the caustic bath step;   performing a second rinse procedure between the caustic bath step and the anodization bath step; and   performing a third rinse procedure between the anodization bath step and the dye bath step.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein each of the first rinse procedure, the second rinse procedure and the third rinse procedure utilize distilled water. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing procedure comprises:
 submerging the metallic object within boiling distilled water for 15 minutes.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing procedure comprises:
 positioning the metallic object in a room temperature environment for between 3 and 6 hours,   said room temperature environment comprising a temperature of between 70 degrees and 95 degrees, and a humidity level of between 30% and 70%.