Anodizing or Duracoating Raw Receivers?

[chagasrod]

I'm building my Own Ar from Scrath and the question i have is:

Can i Skip the Anodizing part and just Duracoat the part?

Is Anodizing really necessary first?

Thanks in advance guys!

 

[rcmodel]

Hard anodizing plays some small part at least in minimizing wear in the pin holes, scratches to the receiver, etc.

Other then that, there would be no reason you couldn't just Duracoat the bare aluminum.

rc

 

[chagasrod]

RC. Thank you for the info;

It's that people keep telling me Anodizing is essential to prolong the receiver's life.

But also telling me that Anodizing if not performed by the manufacturer will shrink the part a bit possibly making the pin holes smaller so the roll pins won't fit.

 

[NCsmitty]

Anodizing is a hardening surface treatment that will also reduce oxidation of the aluminum, and as rcmodel mentioned, reduces surface wear and tear somewhat, and pin holes won't wear out as fast.
If you don't anodize, the surfaces will still be fairly soft regardless of the grade of aluminum, and even with Duracoat, it will be more susceptible to handling damage.



NCsmitty

 

[chagasrod]

Thanks RC & NCsmitty!!!!

I Appreciate it.

 

[crossrhodes]

Phosphate

Agree with Ncsmitty and RC. You could use the phosphate pre-coating by duracoat if you not going to anodize and would give you a little more protection from scraps.

 

[exospex]

Hard coat anodizing does add size to all surfaces. If done properly, it will yeild about .0015"- .002" coating thickness. The coating however is not all on build up, it penetrates into the substrate as much as it builds up. a .002" coating thickness will give you a .001" build up. You will need to process your pin holes with this in mind. Smaller holes will not build up quite as much because of the faraday cage effect. I tend to see holes under .250" close up about .001-.0015".