Aluminum is a material widely used in the production of components for vehicles, airplanes, panels, constructions and packaging. This happens for several reasons:
- it’s a metal that can be moulded and formed into different shapes and thicknesses,
- it’s a good electrical conductor,
- it doesn’t corrode easily,
- it’s a lightweight metal
Furthermore, aluminium can be coated with different substances or paints that have the purpose of increasing its durability and attractiveness, as well as making it more resistant. The coating of an aluminum surface is not very different from any other painting process. The foil, sheets or plates must be taut to minimize wrinkles and ensure a smooth surface. The lacquer can be dispensed in liquid or spray form and, before being used, the product undergoes a cycle of different treatments: pre-treatment, first and second coat of paint, quality control. Since aluminum is one of the most difficult metals to paint since the lacquers hardly adhere to its surface; usually before coloring it, a primer called adhesion promoter is applied. It ensures a better adhesion of the coating to the aluminum. The primer can be applied with a spray gun, roller or brush.
Aluminum coloring: advantages
Painting, anodizing or any other surface treatment that involves coloring through a coating on the aluminum surface is essential to protect it from pitting. In applications where you want to preserve the appearance of aluminum and still have a resistant product, the most suitable surface treatments to apply are: a transparent coating or a thin anodic coating.
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