Rustproof and durable, aluminum can far outlast carbon steel and is ideal for challenging out door environments. Aluminum’s long life cycle benefits the environment as new material and energy resources will be needed far less often to replace corroded or failed products.

100% Recyclability

The aluminum recycling infrastructure is extremely well-established. Aluminum products and components are fully recyclable and the value of aluminum scrap makes it extremely unlikely that aluminum will ever wind up in a landfill.

Light Weight

Aluminum products tend to be lighter in weight than those made from other materials. Energy use and other impacts associated with transport and installation can often be lowered when aluminum products are specified.

Alloys:

3003 Alloy

Medium Strength Alloy
Good Formability
Displays Some Corrosion Resistance
Used for Decorative Architectural Products

5005 Alloy

Medium Strength Alloy
Excellent Anodizing Quality
Class I for exterior applications
Matches closely to 6063 Alloy Extrusions
Used for Decorative Architectural Products

Aluminum Composite Materials:

Used for Decorative Architectural Products
Consists of 2 sheets .020” Aluminum Thermo bonded to a low density Polyethylene Core
Available in 3mm,4mm and 6mm thickness’
Extremely light weight
Pre-finished Kynar Coating
Limited color selection in small quantities
Not recommended for high traffic areas

Thickness’

3mm, least ridged of the three. Used mainly for decorative interior applications and exterior where no wind load is expected.
4mm, medium rigidity. Used in 90% of all applications for wall panels and column covers.
6mm, Very ridged. Used for high rise applications and where high wind loads are needed.

Expanded Aluminum

Alternative to perforated aluminum
Can be back-lighted
Sound deadening can be applied for sound absorption
Great application for column covers, wall panels, air vents

Powder Coating

Liquid paint is composed of pigment, resin, and solvent. Powder paint is simply pigment encapsulated in a powdered resin and is thus thought of as “Paint without the solvent”. It is applied using an electrostatic spray. The powder particles are electrically charged and the object requiring the coating is grounded. The result is an electrostatic attraction adequate to allow the build-up of sufficient film of powder on the object. The electrostatic attraction holds the dry powder in place until melting occurs with subsequent binding to the surface.

Available in both interior and exterior grades
Very hard and very durable
Recommended thickness is 2.5 – 3.5 mils dry film thickness
Limited to stock colors. Custom colors can be very expensive and long lead time
Finish can be prone to “Orange Peel” giving a textured appearance
The real advantage of power is the reduction in air pollution compared to liquid. When powers are cured in an oven they emit no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds)

Claddings:

Plastic Laminates:

Advantage is no warping, swelling due to moisture
Very durable, able to take higher impacts without cracking
Interior applications only
Finished product must be stored in a temperature controlled environment to prevent cracking or bubbling
Plastic laminates can expand and contract a 1/8” or more in both directions
Available in 3 basic grades

Standard Grade

Counter Tops, Cabinetry

Forming Grade

Heat-forming for tight radiuses on counter tops and small diameter column covers

Vertical Grade

Wall panels, Column Covers and Elevator Interiors

Decorative plastic laminate sheeting is made by taking five or six layers of brown Kraft paper in large rolls and running this material through vats of resin and driers. The results are then cut into sheets and impregnated with resins. The pattern sheet is also run through resins the same way. These layers of resin-coated Kraft paper are fed into a press. Then a resin-coated pattern sheet is put into the mold. Last, a clear melamine overlay is put on top of all the layers where heat and pressure actually make the resins flow.

When applying plastic laminates to a radius aluminum surface, both plastic laminate and the aluminum substrate should be heated for maximum bonding power. This will eliminate the memory of the laminate from constant tension and wanting to straighten back out. Once the two materials are bonded and cooled, the laminate actually hugs the aluminum substrate.

Wood Veneers

Advantage to applying wood veneers to aluminum is it’s a hard substrate that will withstand higher impacts than a wood substrate
If the veneer has to match other furnishings, make sure the veneers are bought from the same source and lot
Specify a foil backed veneer to prevent adhesion failure
Finished product should be stored in a temperature controlled environment to prevent cracking and bubbling

Vinyl’s

Flexible vinyl overlay resurfacing is a great option for today’s environment

High Strength Integrated Adhesive forms a permanent bond to aluminum
Unaffected by moisture, humidity or extreme temperatures
Available in both interior & exterior grades
Anti-corrosive film layer that makes it resistant to direct UV sunlight, rain, snow, ice, smog and other perils of nature
Large selections of finishes

Wood Grains
Marbles
Granites
Textures
Metallics
Solid Colors

Colored Transparent Vinyls

Can be applied over aluminum or stainless patterned sheets
Available in a variety of colors
Economical alternative to transparent paints or color anodizing
Low maintenance
Very durable, excellent for high traffic areas

Ceramics Coatings:

Porcelain Enamel

Glass like, non-porous material made up silica, borax, soda and various metal oxides that are fused to steel sheets.
A spray applied liquid to a heavy gage steel that is fire cured and hardened in a kiln.
Mainly used for exterior surfaces, it is unaffected by sun, rain, snow, dust or industrial atmospheres.
The color is permanent and will not oxidize, fade, peel or blister.
Maintenance free
Available in custom colors
Very heavy
Size limitations, typically no more than 20 square feet are recommended due to high possibility the material may warp in the kiln process.
If not sealed properly, can rust from the inside out.

Ceramic Steel

Alternative to Porcelain Enamel
A thin gauge steel (28 ga.) bonded to a .090 aluminum
Used as a cladding for Marker Boards, Wall Panels and Column Covers
Gives all the advantages of Porcelain Enamel but lighter weight
Larger panel sizes available, up to 80 square feet
Limited color selections in small quantities
Resistant to;

Bacteria
Paint
Scratches
Acid
Fire
Graffiti