The crystal structure of aluminum alloy, especially the lattice orientation and domain size, has a significant effect on the surface roughness or reflectivity after alkali corrosion and anodic oxidation treatment. For example, in the face centered cubic lattice of aluminum, the atomic density of the crystal plane increases with the order of (110), (100),(chuang). Under similar conditions, the degree of chemical corrosion of alkali varies with the atomic density. Therefore, surface (110) has lower roughness than surface (111), and surface (111) has sharp angles and higher roughness.

The processing processes of aluminum, such as rolling and forging, including plastic deformation (which may result in work hardening), as well as casting and heat treatments, such as quenching or tempering, affect the crystal structure and properties of aluminum alloys. Although processing, casting and heat treatment themselves do not change the chemical composition of aluminum alloy, but because of their influence on the microstructure of aluminum alloy, they also must affect the behavior of anodic oxidation.

Grain size is generally not indicated in all tables of aluminum properties because grain size is so influenced by mechanical and thermal processes that it is impossible to maintain a single structural parameter that is most important, and this must be taken into account when selecting materials.