Home >> FAQs >> how to choose the best aluminum profile surface treatment?

how to choose the best aluminum profile surface treatment?

Aluminum profiles have many uses in architecture, building construction, automobile manufacturing and many other industries. The untreated profiles are adequate for many applications but they are various reasons to perform additional surface treatment after the extrusion process is completed. These include: taking off surface defects, enhancing the corrosion resistance, introducing color, making the surface reflective and increasing the hardness of the surface.

Removing Surface Defects

Some profiles may be used in places where they will be seen and handled by a lot of people. Examples include profiles used for swing doors and sliding doors in store fronts and patios. Extrusion may introduce a number of scratches and dents on the profile. But these can easily be removed by sand blasting or polishing. Sand blasting involves shooting sand, silicon carbide, glass beads, steel grit, or agricultural shells at a high speed unto the surface of the aluminum using a blasting machine. Sand blasting usually produces a matt surface, which may be further treated with anodizing or powder coating.

Improving Corrosion Resistance

Aluminum has natural resistance to corrosion. The surface of the metal develops an oxide film that provides protection for it against rust. That is why aluminum is a first choice for many building construction projects. But when aluminum is going to be exposed to a highly acidic environment or a very salty and humid environment like the beach, it is better to reinforce its anti-corrosive property. This can be done by coating the surface of the aluminum.

Powder coating and liquid paint may be used to coat the surface of the profile and add an extra protective layer. Powder coating is a more environmentally friendly option than liquid painting. It is also available in a wide variety of colors. In some cases, anodizing may be done first before the powder coating is applied.

Adding Color

Most architectural and building construction projects require the use of a particular color of profile for windows, doors and facades. Other projects also require a particular surface finish such as matt, gloss, satin and textured finishes. Some architectural work will require wood grain to be added to the surface of the aluminum.

Powder coating offers the best solution for adding different types of color and texture to the surface of aluminum profiles. It offers better color uniformity and the color and appearance can be reproduced with greater precision among all batches.

Making the Surface Reflective

When you need to make the surface of the profile bright and shiny, it may be etched or passed through a process called bright dipping. Etching creates a frosted or silver white finish. Bright dipping gives the aluminum a shiny mirror finish. During this process a special dip solution which can be made with either hot nitric or phosphoric acids, is applied to the aluminum profile surface.

For each of these desired surface effects, we offer the best type of surface treatment for our aluminum profiles. Our profiles are suitable for different types of architectural projects, especially for framing windows, doors and for railings and fences.