What happened to anodised aluminium, and why?

[Phred]

G'day mates,

I was looking around town to day for a bit of anodised aluminium to
make some key tags. ("Dog tag" discs are available from only one shop
here, and they're $2.00 each for something that was 20c a few years
ago!)

Anyway, apart from the above small discs, anodised aluminium seems to
have disappeared here[*]. I thought it may be just gone from the
general hardware stores; so out of curiosity I checked out the
speciality kitchenware shop too. The proprietor assured me that she
hadn't seen serving trays, tumblers, whatever, made with the stuff for
a long time now. As far as she knew, it was gone for good.
[*You can still find it in building supplies as moldings and such.]

Have you good folk on the top side of the world noticed a similar
vanishing act? Can it still be found in kitchenware in the big smoke
here in Oz, just not out here in the sticks? And, if it has indeed
vanished worldwide, what caused its demise: Cost? Toxicity? Fashion?

Cheers, Phred.

[Government Shill #2]

Post by Phred
G'day mates,
I was looking around town to day for a bit of anodised aluminium to
make some key tags. ("Dog tag" discs are available from only one shop
here, and they're $2.00 each for something that was 20c a few years
ago!)
Anyway, apart from the above small discs, anodised aluminium seems to
have disappeared here[*]. I thought it may be just gone from the
general hardware stores; so out of curiosity I checked out the
speciality kitchenware shop too. The proprietor assured me that she
hadn't seen serving trays, tumblers, whatever, made with the stuff for
a long time now. As far as she knew, it was gone for good.
[*You can still find it in building supplies as moldings and such.]
Have you good folk on the top side of the world noticed a similar
vanishing act? Can it still be found in kitchenware in the big smoke
here in Oz, just not out here in the sticks? And, if it has indeed
vanished worldwide, what caused its demise: Cost? Toxicity? Fashion?
Cheers, Phred.

¨
G'day from Europe Phred,

It seems that anodised aluminium is still used in many products in Aus. A
quick Google search found this (and other) page from the Anodisers
Association of Australasia:

http://www.anodising.org/applicat.htm

"Structures and architectural categories of all types


Appliances
Commercial and residential building products
Food preparation equipment
Furniture
Sporting goods and boats

Motor vehicle components."

--
Shill #2

Some drink at the fountain of knowledge...others just gargle.

[Phred]

Thanks very much for that info #2. If I ever get my browser "surfing"
properly again I'll check out that site in a bit more detail. Reading
the list you provided, it may not include the old trays, tumblers and
similar that were pretty popular some years ago -- though I guess they
may come under "Appliances" or "Food preparation equipment".

Post by Government Shill #2

Post by Phred
G'day mates,
I was looking around town to day for a bit of anodised aluminium to
make some key tags. ("Dog tag" discs are available from only one shop
here, and they're $2.00 each for something that was 20c a few years
ago!)
Anyway, apart from the above small discs, anodised aluminium seems to
have disappeared here[*]. I thought it may be just gone from the
general hardware stores; so out of curiosity I checked out the
speciality kitchenware shop too. The proprietor assured me that she
hadn't seen serving trays, tumblers, whatever, made with the stuff for
a long time now. As far as she knew, it was gone for good.
[*You can still find it in building supplies as moldings and such.]
Have you good folk on the top side of the world noticed a similar
vanishing act? Can it still be found in kitchenware in the big smoke
here in Oz, just not out here in the sticks? And, if it has indeed
vanished worldwide, what caused its demise: Cost? Toxicity? Fashion?

š
G'day from Europe Phred,
It seems that anodised aluminium is still used in many products in Aus. A
quick Google search found this (and other) page from the Anodisers
http://www.anodising.org/applicat.htm
"Structures and architectural categories of all types
Appliances
Commercial and residential building products
Food preparation equipment
Furniture
Sporting goods and boats
Motor vehicle components."

Cheers, Phred.

[Government Shill #2]

Post by Phred
Thanks very much for that info #2. If I ever get my browser "surfing"
properly again I'll check out that site in a bit more detail. Reading
the list you provided, it may not include the old trays, tumblers and
similar that were pretty popular some years ago -- though I guess they
may come under "Appliances" or "Food preparation equipment".

There is a bit more of a list under that one. I thought you'd see it for
yourself, but as you are having problems with your browser...

"Here are a few examples of products entirely and/or partially made up of
anodised aluminium.

Building exteriors, such as store fronts, curtain walls & roofing systems.

Appliances such as refrigerators, dryers, coffee brewers, ranges,
televisions, microwave equipment.

Vents, awnings, dust covers, light fixtures, storm doors, window frames,
mailboxes, bathroom accessories, patio covers and wall switch plates for
buildings.

Display cases, pans, coolers and grills for the food industry

Tables, beds, files and storage chests for homes and offices

Golf carts, boats, and camping/fishing equipment for the leisure industry.

Hundreds of components for motor vehicles of all kinds such as trim parts,
wheel covers, control panels and name plates.

Exterior panels for aerospace vehicles, clocks and electronic products,
fire extinguishers, photo equipment, solar panels, telephones, picture
frames and bathroom accessories.

Interior decoration and trim.

This is just a small sample list of products made up of anodised aluminium,
designers could take advantage of anodising for thousands of other
products."

--
Shill #2

A. Top Posters
Q. What's the most annoying thing on the usenet?
annieb

Post by Phred

Post by Government Shill #2

Post by Phred
G'day mates,
I was looking around town to day for a bit of anodised aluminium to
make some key tags. ("Dog tag" discs are available from only one shop
here, and they're $2.00 each for something that was 20c a few years
ago!)
Anyway, apart from the above small discs, anodised aluminium seems to
have disappeared here[*]. I thought it may be just gone from the
general hardware stores; so out of curiosity I checked out the
speciality kitchenware shop too. The proprietor assured me that she
hadn't seen serving trays, tumblers, whatever, made with the stuff for
a long time now. As far as she knew, it was gone for good.
[*You can still find it in building supplies as moldings and such.]
Have you good folk on the top side of the world noticed a similar
vanishing act? Can it still be found in kitchenware in the big smoke
here in Oz, just not out here in the sticks? And, if it has indeed
vanished worldwide, what caused its demise: Cost? Toxicity? Fashion?

¨
G'day from Europe Phred,
It seems that anodised aluminium is still used in many products in Aus. A
quick Google search found this (and other) page from the Anodisers
http://www.anodising.org/applicat.htm
"Structures and architectural categories of all types
Appliances
Commercial and residential building products
Food preparation equipment
Furniture
Sporting goods and boats
Motor vehicle components."

Cheers, Phred.

[Fred]

Post by Phred
G'day mates,
I was looking around town to day for a bit of anodised aluminium to
make some key tags. ("Dog tag" discs are available from only one shop
here, and they're $2.00 each for something that was 20c a few years
ago!)
Anyway, apart from the above small discs, anodised aluminium seems to
have disappeared here[*]. I thought it may be just gone from the
general hardware stores; so out of curiosity I checked out the
speciality kitchenware shop too. The proprietor assured me that she
hadn't seen serving trays, tumblers, whatever, made with the stuff for
a long time now. As far as she knew, it was gone for good.
[*You can still find it in building supplies as moldings and such.]
Have you good folk on the top side of the world noticed a similar
vanishing act? Can it still be found in kitchenware in the big smoke
here in Oz, just not out here in the sticks? And, if it has indeed
vanished worldwide, what caused its demise: Cost? Toxicity? Fashion?

Maybe it's just a name change. Dropped the aluminium name due to
connotations
with Alzheimers.

"Jamie Oliver
Hard Anodised Cookware
"Hi Guys - Guess what, we've made hard anodised cookware that's dishwasher
safe. Tefal and I have designed these pans to be very tough and hard
wearing. They are really strong, durable and well balanced with high-tech
stay cool handles. I hope they will inspire you to try cooking new things!""

One of the the fastest growing classification of cookware in department and
specialty stores today is hard-anodized nonstick.