> The coating is very hard but the metal underneath is still soft so it is like a very thin crust on a pie. Cutting anodized aluminum will quickly kill a milling cutter, a file, or a hacksaw blade.<
Vern, I've had anodized aluminum cages for the water bottles on my bicycle and over time the plastic bottle rubbing against the aluminum has worn away both the anodizing and the aluminum. Lot's of bike components are made of anodized 6061. Personally I think most of the colors are atrocious but to each their own.