Powder coating is a durable paint finish in the form of a polyester or epoxy powder which is applied electrostatically to an aluminium extrusion and then cured with heat to form the desired colour ‘skin’. There is more to selecting a powder coat finish for aluminium extrusions than meets the eye. In addition to specifying the right colour you must also specify the finish grade appropriate for the nature of the building and appropriate for the site environment. The AWS white paper has a quick reference guide for which powder coat range to specify in certain environments. Read here.
A convenient colour selection chart allows you to take full advantage of the bespoke specification features from AWS, enabling you to select dual colour when specifying products from the ThermalHEART® range. Different finish options are available for internal and external elements – a great way to ensure the colour palette matches both the interior furnishing and external cladding.
The powders we use to powder coat our aluminium are supplied by industry leaders Dulux® and Interpon®. Within both the Dulux® and Interpon® ranges there are a number of powder grades suitable for use in varied applications and with varying warranty terms.
To learn more about powder coating, click here.
For a finish accentuating the raw aluminium components used in your project, anodising may be a preferred option. Anodising is an electrochemical process used to create a protective film of aluminium oxide on the surface of an aluminium extrusion. Anodising provides a durable finish accentuating the natural look of the aluminium materials used. While various oxidised colours can be applied during the process, anodising is translucent, giving the aluminium a deep metallic lustre. Anodised aluminium is extremely durable and is well suited to architectural applications.
It is important to note that not all anodising is the same. Anodising can be specified in a range of thickness grades impacting the durability and suitability of the finish for a specific project. When specifying an anodised finish, it is important to consider the atmospheric conditions the end product will be subjected to.
Anodised aluminium finished by AWS is supplied as standard at thickness grade AA20 to suit a majority of environmental applications.
To learn more about anodising, click here.
