Mixed acid anodization

A method of making an anodized metal component comprising:

• anodizing a metal component in an anodizing bath to form an anodization layer;
• wherein the anodizing bath comprises two or more inorganic acids selected from the group consisting of sulfuric, boric and phosphoric acids, and
• an organic acid selected from the group consisting of oxalic acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, tannic acid, an α-amino acid, an aromatic alpha hydroxy acid, phenylalanine, and salicylic acid;
• wherein anodizing is performed by applying a DC voltage ramped up from 0 to a plateau voltage over a period of 1 to 5 minutes, the plateau voltage varying from 13 to 20 volts and is maintained for a duration of 10 to 25 minutes;
• wherein the anodizing bath comprises 10 g/L to 60 g/L of sulfuric acid and 80 g/L to 100 g/L of organic acid.