1. Natural metallic sheen and respectable aspect
2. Excellent corrosion resistance
3. Non-flammable A1
4. Over 40 years of proven lifetime
5. Exceptional abrasion resistance
6. No risk of adhesion failure of the anodic film
7. No risk of fading
8. No risk of chalking
9. No risk of filoform corrosion
10. Preservation of the original surface texture and design
11. Optimal surface coverage
12. Anodic film is totally transparent
13. On-site quality control possible without creating surface damage in testing
14.100% recyclable
15. Production process can be carried out in accordance with latest environmental standards
16. Lifetime Guarantee available
1. NATURAL METALLIC SHEEN AND RESPECTABLE ASPECT
The anodic layer is transparent and integrated in the surface of the metal; the natural metallic apperarance and feel of the aluminium are fully preserved.
The anodized finish will enhance and reinforce the natural beauty of aluminium to create a livivng surface constantly interacting with the natural or artificial light playing across its surface.
Regardless of the substrate material - aluminium, steel. plastic - a painted surface always has the same, flat appearance. In trying to achieve the authentic metallic lustre of anodized aluminium, painted aluminium uses multi-layer systems with metallic pigments with the risk of creation of colour variations.
2. EXCELLENT CORROSION RESISTANCE
Even in its natural state, aluminium does not corrode in the same, destructive, way as iron or steel. On the contrary, its natural oxide layer provides a self-defense against corrosion.
Anodizing creates a perfectly formed and controlled oxide layer, which ensures a surface of unparalleled corrosion resistance and locks in the pure and natural metallic aspect of the metal. It has been used for external building applications for over 80 years. With an appropriate anodic layer thickness for external use, anodized aluminium will perfom without problem, even in the most severe environments. In particular, anodized finishes are highly in city and marine environments, due to their resistance to chlorides and sulphates.
3. NON-FLAMMABLE CLASS A1
On the molecular level anodic layer is completely unit with aluminium base. Since aluminium is flame-resistant material and its melting point is 650 °C anodized aluminium has also group of flammability – nonflammable.
4. OVER 40 YEARS OF PROVEN LIFETIME
The technology of anodizing has been established for almost 100 years. Whilst the process has been continuously refined, especially in terms of quality, the chemical and technological fundamentals remain unchanged.
The on-site behaviour of the anodized surfaces produced today is fully predictable, based on the proven, long term, service experience. Independent inspection commissioned by our company has confirmed that the anodic protection remains undiminished after more than 40 years.
Sandalor technology was developed in Europe to improve the results of using of wide colour palette of organic dyes. The main feature of this technology is two-step colouring of aluminium. Firstly electrocolouring is carried out, which is characterized by high resistance to light, and afterwards, organic colouring is produced. In such a way you can get wide colour range of coatings with good colour stability.
5. ABRASION RESISTANCE
Aluminium oxide is a very hard compound, which is second only to diamond, on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. Anodized aluminium surfaces therefore offer superior scratch and abrasion resistance than coated surfaces.
6. NO RISK OF ADHESION FAILURE
Anodizing is an electrolytic process, which transforms the surface of the metal into an oxide layer integral with the metal itself. It is not a coating applied to the surface of the metal. There is, therefore, no risk of adhesion failure such as peeling, blistering, cracking, splitting or chipping which may occur with surface coatings, such as painting. There will be no adhesion failure, even on cut edges or joints.
7. NO POSSIBLITY OF FADING
Natural silver, shampagne, bronze and black colours contain no organic elements. No colour fading is possible during the service life of these finishes In comparison organic powder coatings are always subject to ading in varying degrees over the lifetime of a building.
8. NO CHALKING
Chalking is the formation of a fine powder on the surface of the paint film during weathering (grains carried by wind). It can cause significan deterioration in surface appearance, with a reduction in the gloss level, surface lustre and colour.
Anodized aluminium does not suffer from this disfiguring condition, even when exposed to difficult exterior environmental conditions, such as marine locations or very sunny and/or humid climates.
9. NO RISK OF FILIFORM CORROSION
Filiform corrosion is an attack on the hidden inter layer between the aluminium and the surface finish which results in the propagation of corrosion under the surface finish.
With anodizing the oxide (anodic) layer is integral with the aluminium. There is no inter-layer between the metal and this protective oxide layer. As a result, the finish will remain free from filifor corrosion. If the surface is punctured or damaged, the aluminium will simply repair itself through natural oxidation.
10. UNIFORM SURFACE FINISH FOR ALL METAL SHAPES AND TEXTURES
Anodizing is a process which can be carried out prior to or after the transformation of the metal.
Since it is an immersion process rather than an applied finish, anodizing provides a particularly uniform and regular finish on most metal shapes and textured surfaces such as perforated sheets, tread plates, polished or brushed metal, mesh material, stucco surfaces, etc.
Anodizing avoids the risk of localized high coating thickness or orange peel effect, typically associated with organic coatings on such surfaces.
11. OPTIMAL COVERAGE
Anodizing, as an immersion process, achieves a more uniform surface coverage, especially for extruded sections.
With spray paint processes and, especially with powder-coating, the non-visible surface is often not coated.
12. ANODIC FILM IS TOTALLY TRANSPARENT
A properly sealed anodic layer is totally transparent. Furthermore, when severe environmental temperature fluctuations occur, the anodic layer is not subject to damaging physical changes and consequential embrittlement.
When polymer coating is exposed by the effects of temperature (below glass transition temperature) destructive changes can occur with it – it can lose its elasticity, become brittle, glass-like.
13. QUALITY CONTROLS
The tightly controlled quality assurance in the anodizing process can be followed up on site without damage to the anodized surface.
14. ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF ANODIZED ALUMINIUM
One of the key advantages of aluminium over other materials is that it is can be recycled repeatedly through simple re-melting with minimal loss on each cycle. In Europe, more than 30 % of aluminium consumption is satisfied with recycled aluminium and over 90 % of the aluminium used in buildings is recycled at the end of the building’s life.
The recycling process requires only 5% of the energy required for the production of primary aluminium – a significant contribution to environmental sustainability.
Anodized aluminium is unique, comprising only pure aluminium, its alloying elements and oxygen.
As pure aluminium, it is fully recyclable without intervening chemical processes and emissions.
Because of this and the ready market for quality aluminium scrap, the anodized aluminium will have a cash value to offset the cost of demolition at the end of the useful life of the building.
15. ECO FRIENDLY PRODUCTION PROCESS
Modern architectural anodizing plants are capable of responding to the most stringent environmental standards with full chemical recycling and a large recovery of waste water. Anodizing does not require environmentally sensitive pre-treatment like chromating. The anodizing process does not produce CO2 or solvent emissions.
16. GUARANTEES
Guarantees are often considered by specifiers or building owners to provide reassurance about the long-term performance of a surface finish. We can offer following guarantees on our anodized covering:
Guarantee on absence of adhesion failure of the anodic film – lifetime.
Guarantee on absence of corrosion:
• for thickness 25 micron – 40 years,
• forthickness 20 micron – 20 years,
• for thickness 15 micron – 10 years,
• for thickness 10 micron – 5 years.
Guarantee on colour resistance to fading (change of delta E according to scale LAB – not more than 3 units during the warranty period for Belarus):
• for C0 – lifetime,
• for C31, C32, C33, C34, C35 – 15 years,
• for other colours – 5 years.
SUMMARY
Powder coating
Powder coating is being used on many major building projects as it is cheaper and thought to be the equivalent of architectural anodizing.
However
Powder coating is softer, less durable, and unless done perfectly can peel. Neither can it exhibit the natural metallic lustre of anodizing .
Architectural anodizing is harder than glass which means it is less prone to damage, wear and tear and can be, if neglected, abrasively cleaned to restore it to its original lustre.
Powder coating is soft, prone to scratching and cannot be abrasively cleaned.
All organic coatings in time lose gloss and colour. Anodizing has been used in architecture for more than 80 years; powder coating was introduced in the late 1970’s, much less than 40 years ago.
Anodizing is a process where the coating is grown on the surface of the aluminium and cannot ever peel off. Powder coating is an applied paint that can peel in service.
Conclusion
If you want peace of mind and a building exterior that will really last, anodizing is the only choice.
THE ADVANTAGES OF ALUMINIUM
Aluminium is a metal which allows endless opportunities for design and creativity but which, at the same time, responds fully to modern demands in terms of environment and sustainability.
THE 10 KEY ADVANTAGES OF ALUMINIUM
• Elegant, modern, natural aspect
• Numerous possibilities of textures, colours and surface finishe
• Very durable over the long term
• Requires minimal maintenance
• Light weight
• High strength-to-weight ratio
• Does not burn and is not noxious in case of fir
• Can be totally and repeatedly recycled through simple re-melting
• Available in many different forms to suit a diverse range of applications
• Aluminium creates an impermeable barrier to air, water and wind