"Anodized" buttons

[Infanteer]

The current Canadian Forces issue buttons are commonly referred to as "anodized" but I was under the impression that they are actually a coated plastic type of construction. Anodizing is a process most commonly applied to aluminum. Is the term "anodized" a misnomer or is that in fact what they are? Is anyone able to provide any insight?

[Phillip Herring]

There was an episode of the TV show "How It's Made" that showed the manufacturing process. The CF buttons (with the lion) are plastic with a coating.

Phil

[ddaydodger]

The current CF general issue buttons are a plastic coated with zinc, then a layer of electroplated copper, and then a layer of electroplated gold (yes- gold).

This is according to the CF manufacturing requirements.

[Infanteer]

Thanks guys.... that's more in line with what I thought they were. So, if it's not technically proper to refer to them as anodized, what should I refer to them as? And, are there any actual anodized buttons out there?

[ddaydodger]

Some regiments used anodized aluminum buttons on their uniforms, pre and post unification. The Canadian Guards adopted AA buttons on full dress to prevent damage to their uniforms from polishing compounds. The Canadian Army did trials in the 1950s to see how well they worked, based on the British Army's decision to adopt “Staybright” buttons and insignia. So you will find some regiments with AA buttons, the PPCLI for example used then well into the 1990s, if not latter. The newer PPCLI buttons tend to be plastic coated with a shiny gold looking material, (not sure what the correct term would be, the troops call them “gilt” to distinguish them from true brass, but that is an incorrect term as well). It will all depend on the regiment, the year, which contractor supplied buttons for that particular period, based on cost. Not much help, but that’s the best I can do. There is really no detailed reference to this, and as budgets get tighter, the quality of the item goes down. The current PPCLI buttons are absolute trash- poorly made, too small, and poorly detailed pieces of shiny plastic.