Aluminium surface treatment – Anodising vs Powder coating

The Earth’s most abundant metal is renowned for its lightness, strength, and resistance to corrosion. And, for some at least, the silvery-white appearance of untreated aluminium extrusions is entirely adequate but there are many valid reasons to treat the surface of aluminium profiles. When using modular batten systems like Click-on Battens, aesthetic decisions are vital.

• To introduce colour
• To supplement corrosion resistance
• To augment hardness
• To retard wear and tear
• To add reflectivity

Two coating systems are currently preferred when specifying architectural aluminium—anodised and powder coating.

See our full range of aluminium finishes available here.
To learn more about the design flexibility of aluminium, view our editorial here.

Anodising

Anodising is the relatively straightforward electrochemical process, now nearly a century old, used to increase the thickness of the natural oxide layer on the surface of aluminium. (Aluminium oxide is a durable compound that seals and protects the base metal.)

A hard durable finish that maintains the beauty and natural metallic lustre of aluminium while reinforcing its natural ability to withstand the elements, Anodising is an integral finish, that cannot flake, peel or blister. The controlled formation of an oxide layer which is much harder, more durable and about a thousand times thicker than the thin oxide layer naturally formed.

Pros

• Easy to maintain – periodic cleaning with water and a mild detergent will restore its original lustre.
• The anodic coating will not peel or flake because it is actually part of the metal.
• Anodising imparts a translucent metallic appearance because the base metal can be seen underneath the coating.
• This method is unaffected by sunlight and mostly fade-resistant.
• Anodised finishes are consistent regardless of the angle they are viewed from.
• The end product does not emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), nor are there any heavy metals involved in the process.

Cons

• The surface may become vulnerable to acidic pollutants in urban areas.
• The translucence of this coating contributes to colour variation issues between batches – although this lack of uniformity has been reduced in recent times.
• Anodised finishes are normally only available in a matt and polished finish.
• Since anodised finishes can only be applied to aluminium, other building elements in a similar colour may look conspicuously different.

Powder coating

A technique chiefly used to apply decorative and protective finishes to aluminium, powder coating electrostatically charges the powder (a mixture of finely milled resin and pigment), sprays it on to the aluminium extrusion, and then fuses it into a smooth coating in a curing oven.

Pros

• Dents and scuffs are easily repaired using liquid coating that accurately matches original colours.
• Powder coated aluminium installed at the start of a project will look the same as other powder coated battens installed towards the end of the project.
• This finish is available in a huge range of colours (from simple matt, satin, and gloss finishes to super matt, super gloss, and textured finishes).
• Powder coating has better chemical resistance to mortar, and to industrial-strength acidic and alkaline cleaners.
• Powder coating has better colour uniformity between batches.
• This finish does not produce air pollution.

Cons

• Filiform corrosion resembling threadlike filaments may form under the finish if incorrect pre-treatment methods are used.
• If the applied coating film is either too thick or thin, or if the powder coating material is too reactive, ‘orange peel’ may occur.
• Chalking, which looks like white powder on the surface, may appear if the incorrect curing process is used.
• The very uniform and consistent coating makes the replication of the timber aesthetic, if so desired, unconvincing.

For more information about anodising, powder coating or our wood finish aluminium, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our team members below.

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