Methods for forming white anodized films by metal complex infusion

A metal part, comprising:

• a protective film disposed over an underlying metal surface of the metal part, the protective film comprising:
• a porous anodic film having a top surface corresponding to a top surface of the part, the porous anodic film comprising a plurality of parallel-arranged pores having top ends adjacent to the top surface and bottom ends adjacent to an underlying metal surface of the part, wherein at least a portion of the pores have a plurality of metal oxide particles infused therein, wherein the plurality of metal oxide particles provide a light scattering medium for diffusely reflecting nearly all visible wavelengths of light incident on the top surface and imparting a white appearance to the porous anodic film.

A method for forming a protecting layer on a part that diffusely reflects nearly all wavelengths of visible light incident on an exposed first surface, the protective layer comprising a plurality of pores characterized as having a mean pore diameter and each having an opening at the first surface, the method comprising:

• driving a plurality of metal complex ions within at least a portion of the pores using an electrolytic process, wherein during the electrolytic process, the underlying metal surface acts as an electrode that attracts the plurality of metal complex ions toward the metal substrate and to pore bottom ends opposite the openings of the pores;
• and
• allowing the plurality of metal complex ions to chemically react within the pores to form a plurality of metal oxide particles, wherein the plurality of metal oxide particles provide a light scattering medium for diffusely reflecting nearly all visible wavelengths of light incident on the top surface, thereby imparting a white appearance to the protective layer.