The coating can affect the heat transfer of your aluminum part, and this will depend on the material, thickness and morphological characteristics of the coating.
A reference that may be useful: Article Influence of different surface coatings on pool boiling heat...
Yes, electrodeposition (ED) coating on aluminum can affect its heat transfer capacity, but the extent depends on the type, thickness, and thermal conductivity of the coating material.
Key Factors to Consider:
Thermal Conductivity of the Coating MaterialAluminum has high thermal conductivity (~205 W/m·K), which makes it excellent for heat transfer applications. Common ED coatings, such as epoxy, acrylic, or polyurethane, have much lower thermal conductivity (~0.2–0.5 W/m·K) compared to aluminum. This means the coating could act as a thermal barrier, reducing heat dissipation.
Thickness of the CoatingA thicker coating results in more thermal resistance. Thin coatings (50 µm) can significantly reduce heat transfer performance.
Surface Roughness and Contact ResistanceED coatings can alter surface roughness, affecting thermal contact resistance if the aluminum part is designed for contact cooling (e.g., heat sinks). A smoother coating could reduce radiation heat transfer, while rougher coatings might increase emissivity slightly but still reduce conduction.
EmissivityCoatings may increase emissivity in radiative heat transfer applications (e.g., radiators), potentially improving performance in such cases. For convection-dominated systems, however, conduction losses usually dominate, so the coating will likely reduce performance.
Recommendation:
If thermal performance is critical (e.g., heat sinks or thermal exchangers), you may want to avoid ED coatings or use thin, high-conductivity coatings like nickel-phosphorus (Ni-P) or anodized aluminum.
For parts not requiring high thermal performance, ED coating provides corrosion protection and aesthetic benefits, making it suitable for non-thermal applications.
The article by ProPlate titled, "How does metal coating on tubes ensure better heat transfer in technological applications?" content valuable answer in that with the help of metal coatings, heat transfer can be more efficient and reliable in a wide range of industrial and commercial applications, making them an invaluable tool in the modern technological world.