{"id":15824,"date":"2026-03-12T20:47:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T11:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/webstylix.xsrv.jp\/tsr\/?post_type=tips&p=15824"},"modified":"2026-06-28T10:49:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T01:49:07","slug":"blog11","status":"publish","type":"tips","link":"https:\/\/tsrjp.com\/en\/tips\/blog11\/","title":{"rendered":"The Road to Dr. Anodizing #1: Anodizing = Alumite!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This time, we will look into “Alumite.”
In Japan, many people believe that “Anodizing = Alumite.”
Why is this misconception so widespread?
We will unravel that mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What is Alumite?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is a type of anodizing.
It is an artificial oxide coating specifically for aluminum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When exposed to oxygen, metals like aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium form an oxide coating on their surface, protecting themselves from corrosion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, aluminum’s natural oxide coating is thin and unstable, leaving it vulnerable to corrosion in harsh environments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To solve this, anodizing\u2014an electrochemical process\u2014is applied to create a strong, stable coating; this is Alumite.
Its surface features regular, microscopic pores, which can absorb dyes to allow for custom coloring.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"\"motorockman<\/span><\/div>
\n

Stainless steel and titanium form an exceptionally strong natural oxide coating. For this reason, anodizing titanium is done solely for decorative purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

The Truth: Anodizing $\\neq$ Alumite<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Originally, Alumite is just one type of anodizing specifically for aluminum. Therefore, other forms of anodizing exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people refer to the anodizing of titanium or magnesium as “Alumite,” but that is completely incorrect! Furthermore, it is a term unique to Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

History of Alumite<\/span><\/div>
\n
\n
STEP<\/span><\/div>
Completed in the 1920s<\/span><\/div>
\n

The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN) developed Japan’s first practical anodizing technology for aluminum.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

STEP<\/span><\/div>
Registered as a trademark<\/span><\/div>
\n

RIKEN named this technology “Alumite” and registered it as a trademark.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

STEP<\/span><\/div>
Establishment of a specialized company<\/span><\/div>
\n

Established “Riken Alumite Co., Ltd.”<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

STEP<\/span><\/div>
Spread of Alumite products<\/span><\/div>
\n

Alumite kettles and pots spread to households.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

STEP<\/span><\/div>
Genericization of a trademark<\/span><\/div>
\n

The term “Alumite” became widely used as a generic term for anodizing.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

As a result, the trademark “Alumite” spread and became well-known ahead of the actual name of the process.
This is the same phenomenon as SHARP’s “Shaa-pen” (mechanical pencil), which became the origin of the word “sharp pencil” in Japan, and TOTO’s “Washlet,” which became a synonym for electronic toilet seats with a warm-water bidet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Alumite” is not understood overseas.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to Google Translate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anodization<\/strong>
Anodized aluminum<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, the word “Alumite” does not exist in English-speaking countries.
That being said, it is often understood by companies in China and Taiwan that do business with Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n

\"\"motorockman<\/span><\/div>
\n

Because “Alumite” has become so widely used, the Japan Patent Office now recognizes it as a common name for the anodization of aluminum rather than a specific trademark. Note that the anodization of metals other than aluminum is still not referred to as Alumite.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":17179,"template":"","class_list":["post-15824","tips","type-tips","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tsrjp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tips\/15824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tsrjp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tips"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tsrjp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/tips"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tsrjp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tsrjp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tsrjp.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}