Electrode for an eloxal process

An apparatus for anodizing a component, in particular a component of a vehicle braking system, comprising:

• an electrode further including:
• an electrolyte inlet for feeding an electrolyte into the electrode,
• an inlet channel which connects the electrolyte inlet to an electrolyte exit opening formed in the region of an outer surface of the electrode,
• an electrolyte entry opening formed in the region of the outer surface of the electrode spaced apart from the electrolyte exit opening,
• an electrolyte flow path that runs between the electrolyte exit opening and the electrolyte entry opening along the outer surface of the electrode and is adapted to bring a surface section of the component to be anodized into fluid contact with the electrolyte flowing through the electrolyte flow path,
• an outlet channel connected to the electrolyte entry opening and
• an electrolyte outlet connected to the outlet channel for discharging the electrolyte from the electrode;
• an electrolyte circuit for feeding electrolyte to the electrode and for discharging electrolyte from the electrode, wherein arranged in the electrolyte circuit are in particular an electrolyte source and/or a conveying means for conveying the electrolyte through the electrolyte circuit, and
• a voltage source which is connectable to the component to be anodized and the electrode and is adapted for applying opposite voltages to the component and the electrode.

A process for anodizing a component, in particular a component of a vehicle braking system, comprising the steps of:

• supplying an electrolyte to an electrode through an electrolyte inlet,
• passing the electrolyte through an inlet channel which connects the electrolyte inlet to an electrolyte exit opening formed in the region of an outer surface of the electrode,
• passing the electrolyte through an electrolyte entry opening formed in the region of the outer surface of the electrode spaced apart from the electrolyte exit opening,
• passing the electrolyte through an electrolyte flow path running between the electrolyte exit opening and the electrolyte entry opening along the outer surface of the electrode, wherein the electrolyte is brought into fluid contact with a surface section of the component to be anodized upon flowing through the electrolyte flow path,
• passing the electrolyte through an outlet channel connected to the electrolyte entry opening,
• discharging the electrolyte from the electrode through an electrolyte outlet connected to the outlet channel and
• applying opposite voltages to the component to be anodized and the electrode.