Sulphuric Acid Anodising
- 5 to 25µm coating; 15 to 25µm recommended for dyeing
- Max size clear/black 2100 x 750 x 800mm
- Standards: MIL-A-8625, DEF STAN 03-25, ISO 7599, BS1615, BS EN 12373
- 5 sealing options; PTFE; 17 Clariant dye colours
Uxbridge · Middlesex · family run since 1946
Aluminium anodising and chromate conversion for aerospace, motorsport and more
Metro Engineering and Plating Works Ltd. Specs, max sizes and turnaround published below. Free sample coating and quotes. Free collection across much of the South East.
Process capabilities and max sizes
Figures from Metro Plating service pages. Batch sizes from 1 to 50,000 units.
| Process | Coating | Max size (mm) | Standards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulphuric acid anodising | 5 to 25 µm (15 to 25 µm for dye) | 2100 × 750 × 800 clear/black | MIL-A-8625, DEF STAN 03-25, ISO 7599, BS1615, BS EN 12373 |
| Chromic acid anodising | 2 to 3 µm | 2300 × 900 × 800 clear/black | DEF STAN 03-24, BS1615, MIL-A-8625 Type 1 |
| Hard anodising | 25 to 50 µm (~1100 HV); to 75 µm some alloys | Clear 1700 × 800 × 800; black 1200 × 600 × 800 | DEF STAN 03-26, MIL-A-8625 Type 3, BS EN 12373, BS 5599, ISO 10074 |
| Semi-hard anodising | 20 to 30 µm | Clear 1700 × 800 × 800; black 1200 × 600 × 800 | Cold / hot water / nickel acetate seals |
| Alocrom 1001 clear | ~2 µm | 2130 × 600 × 850 | DEFSTAN 03-18, MIL-C-5541 Class 3 |
| Alocrom 1200 gold | ~2 µm | 2120 × 900 × 850 | DEFSTAN 03-18, MIL-C-5541 Class 1 |
| Iridite NCP / Surtec 650 | Non-chromate / trivalent | 2130 × 600 × 850 (650V: 1200 × 600 × 850) | RoHS/WEEE; ASTM B117 to 1000 h (NCP) |
| Phosphoric anodising (2024) | 0.1 to 5.0 µm | 48 in × 20 in × 28 in | Zodiac/Safran EPS 2035, EPS 2044; AIM Altitude AAP S006 |
| Titanium anodising | ~0.2 µm | Gold, blue, purple only | Also removes surface iron contamination |
| Glass bead blasting | Pre-anodic matt finish | Honite 9 / 10 / 13 / 18 (45 to 425 µm) | 3 new machines |
Turnaround tiers
Guide times from metroplating.co.uk/turnaround.php. Fast-Track and Super-Track carry published premiums.
| Work | Standard | Fast-Track (50% premium) | Super-Track (100% premium) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anodising, Alocrom, Surtec, Iridite, titanium | 3 to 5 clear working days | Guaranteed within 48 hours | Guaranteed same day / next day |
| Hard anodising | 6 to 7 clear working days | 3 to 4 working days | Within 48 hours (no overnight) |
- Masking or bead blasting: allow 8 to 12 clear working days on Standard.
- While-you-wait may apply for urgent jobs with prior approval, depending on batch size and process.
- Free collection and delivery by a fleet of 4 Volkswagen vans across much of Middlesex, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Kent, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire on set routes and days.
Services
Chromic Acid Anodising
- 2 to 3µm for defence/aerospace, paint and adhesive bonding, crack detection, castings
- Max size clear/black 2300 x 900 x 800mm
- Standards: DEF STAN 03-24, BS1615, US MIL-A-8625 Type 1
- Overnight service for parts going on to paint or bonding
Hard Anodising
- 25 to 50µm film around 1100 Vickers; up to 75µm on some alloys
- Max size clear 1700 x 800 x 800mm, black 1200 x 600 x 800mm
- Standards: DEF STAN 03-26, MIL-A-8625 Type 3, BS EN 12373, BS 5599, ISO 10074
Semi-Hard Anodising
- 20 to 30µm, harder finish with wider colour range than full hard
- Max size clear 1700 x 800 x 800mm, black 1200 x 600 x 800mm
- Cold, hot water, nickel acetate seals
Chromate Conversion (Alocrom)
- About 2µm non-electrolytic coating; corrosion resistance and pre-paint
- Alocrom 1001 clear 2130 x 600 x 850mm; Alocrom 1200 gold 2120 x 900 x 850mm
- Standards: DEFSTAN 03-18, MIL-C-5541 Class 3 / Class 1
Non-Chromate Conversion (Iridite NCP, Surtec 650)
- Iridite NCP clear, up to 1000 salt spray hours ASTM B117, RoHS/WEEE
- Surtec 650 / 650V trivalent chromium passivation
- Max size NCP and Surtec 650 2130 x 600 x 850mm; Surtec 650V 1200 x 600 x 850mm
Dual Finishing (Selective Anodising)
- Combination of alocrom, sulphuric and hard anodising with masking
- Typical lead time 7 to 10 working days
Titanium Anodising
- About 0.2µm; gold, blue and purple only
- Also used for removing surface iron contamination on titanium fabrications
Phosphoric Anodising (new 2024)
- Pre-priming and structural bonding alternative to chromic
- Up to 48in long x 20in wide x 28in deep; 0.1 to 5.0 microns
- Specs incl. Zodiac/Safran EPS 2035, EPS 2044, AIM Altitude AAP S006
Glass Bead Blasting
- Pre-anodic bead blasting for matt, uniform finish
- 3 new machines; Honite 9, 10, 13, 18 bead sizes (45 to 425 micron)
On the floor
Photos shown at their real published size. No upscaling.
About the shop
Metro Engineering and Plating Works Ltd, trading as Metro Plating, is a family run aluminium finishing company in Uxbridge, Middlesex. Incorporated in 1946 by Mr Charles Etheridge, moved to the current purpose built premises in 1991, and still owned and managed day to day by the third generation.
About 99% of the work is treatment of aluminium. Sectors include aerospace interiors, motorsport, medical, marine, satellite telecoms, electronics and defence. Simon Etheridge is Production Director; Mark Etheridge is Finance Director.
Production uses Fischer Isoscope coating thickness testing and a fully computerised production control system. A new phosphoric anodising line was installed in 2024.
- Family run since 1946 (third generation)
- Over 600 UK customer companies
- ISO 9001:2015 cert 10395
- Free collection: 4 VW vans, SE England
- Batch sizes 1 to 50,000
- Free sample coating and quotes
Proof points
Family run finishing company specialising in treatments on aluminium. One of the oldest family owned and managed dedicated anodising businesses in Europe.
Metro Plating · about the company
Customer base of over 600 companies in the UK. Components processed for all Formula One teams (directly or indirectly), World Rally and Touring Car teams. Parts used in orbiting satellites and other spacecraft.
Metro Plating · published claims
ISO 9001:2015 certificate no. 10395 (ISOQAR / UKAS). Free collection and delivery by a fleet of 4 Volkswagen vans across much of the South East.
Metro Plating · accreditation and delivery
Incorporated 4 November 1946. Still owned and managed day to day by the third generation of the family from the purpose built Uxbridge factory (over 13,000 sq ft since 2016).
Metro Plating · history
Common questions
What aluminium finishes do you offer?
Sulphuric, chromic, hard, semi-hard and phosphoric anodising; chromate (Alocrom) and non-chromate (Iridite NCP, Surtec 650) conversion coatings; dual/selective finishing; titanium anodising; and glass bead blasting.
How fast can you turn work around?
Standard anodising and Alocrom is typically 3 to 5 clear working days. Fast-Track is guaranteed within 48 hours at a 50% premium; Super-Track is same day or next day at 100% premium. Hard anodising is longer on Standard (6 to 7 days).
Do you collect and deliver?
Yes. A fleet of 4 Volkswagen vans offers free collection and delivery across much of the South East of England on set routes and days. Call 01895 238641 to check your area.
Are you ISO certified?
Yes. ISO 9001:2015 certificate no. 10395 (ISOQAR / UKAS), with an approved system since 2012.
How do I get a quote?
Use the quote form on this page, email quotations@metroplating.co.uk (orders@ for orders), or call 01895 238641. Free sample coating service and quotes for all work.
Contact Metro Plating
Unit 3, Chartridge Development, Eskdale Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UB8 2RT, UK
Usually continuous from 8.00am Monday to 11.45pm Friday (night shift). Weekend and Public Holiday processing by prior arrangement only, minimum charge and premium rate.
Request a quote
Current site: https://www.metroplating.co.uk/