Coating of Aluminium

Coating is the process of covering the aluminium surface with a suitable film (layer) made of organic compounds. Many aluminium components may be painted for various reasons, starting with decoration up to protection against specific environmental influences. 

Coatings are powders or wet paints applied to the aluminium after a preliminary pretreatment. Coating is deposited on the aluminium surface and gives the metal a uniform surface finish and better corrosion resistance. When pretreated, aluminium is an ideal material for coatings.

There are several types of coatings with different properties, which are available in a wide variety of colours.

Powder coating is an electrostatic process where powder is deposited on the aluminium. Then it is heated for a specific amount of time to ensure adequate polymerisation. This process makes the surface highly weather resistance. In Europe, polyester coatings are widely used, due to environmental influences; their main characteristics are wide colour range, various glosses levels and a good film performance.

Various polyester and acrylic finishes have been developed over the last decades and are used as wet coatings.  Their main charateristics are durability and good weather and abrasion resistance.
 

The Qualicoat association has implemented technical specifications and set up a quality label recognised internationally to give users of coated aluminium a guarantee for high quality of powder/wet paint applications used in building and architecture.