As a protective measure, aluminum should be pretreated with chromium phosphate for optimal performance. This should be followed by a primer and then by a high-performance or anodized fluoropolymer paint with a class I architectural finish. After finishing, aluminum must be isolated from other metals with non-absorbent, non-conductive, insulating or polymeric sleeves and washers. Neoprene grommets, roofing felt, paint or other bituminous coatings are effective barriers in outdoor architecture products. Linetec painted coatings and anodized finishes are among the most durable finishes for architectural aluminum products with exterior cladding.
Along with durable performance, surface appearance is an important characteristic of aluminum used for architectural applications. The carbon-fluorine bond, used in 70 percent PVDF coating, is one of the strongest known. These paint coatings have the ability to withstand intense and long-lasting UV radiation, which is attributed to long-term color and gloss retention and resistance to chalk. The first, and one of the most important, defense against a paint fault is the proper pretreatment of aluminum. Without proper pre-treatment, premature finish failure is almost guaranteed.
The paint systems are designed to be applied to clean metal that has been properly pretreated. Pretreating aluminum construction components for use in a harsh coastal or corrosive environment is crucial. After the aluminum has been properly pretreated, a coat of primer is applied before applying the coat of paint. The paint coating is then sprayed to meet the AAMA 2605-22 specification for a total dry film thickness of 1.2 mil (30 microns). These high-performance coatings must meet rigorous performance standards in tests, including more than 4000 hours of salt spray and resistance to heat and moisture.
In addition, they must serve a minimum of 10 years at the South Florida test site to determine film integrity, color retention, chalk resistance, gloss retention, and erosion resistance. The AAMA document 2605 points out that in highly corrosive and high-humidity environments, such as coastal or industrial environments, coating performance may decrease. First used on an industrial scale in 1923 to protect aging-hardened aluminum alloy parts of seaplanes from corrosion, anodizing was the first finishing technology developed for architectural applications. The Empire State Building, completed in 1931, contains aluminum sequins for windows finished with a “worn” dark gray finish. The term stripped appears in books and references from the 1930s, but disappeared in the 1940s when it fell under the anodizing process. The anodizing process provides corrosion protection, abrasion resistance and translucent color to aluminum surfaces.
Architectural anodizing is specified by its natural beauty, but also by its long lifespan and low maintenance. It provides excellent wear and abrasion resistance with minimal maintenance in most environments and withstands the ravages of time, temperature, corrosion, moisture and deformation. Material runoff from the adjacent site must be considered in a corrosion prevention plan. For example, mortar, cement, and even gypsum dust can accumulate as alkaline deposits on aluminum surfaces and must be rinsed quickly. This is especially true for anodized surfaces or surfaces with a milled finish.
While they are somewhat more resistant to alkali attack than anodized surfaces, high-performance paint finishes can be treated with freshwater rinses to remove such buildup. The AAMA 609 and 610-15 Cleaning and Maintenance Guide for Aluminum with Architectural Finish and the AAMA CW 10-15 Care and Handling of Architectural Aluminum from Workshop to Site provide general guidelines, precautions and cleaning recommendations. Linetec is one of the largest PVDF (Kynar) and anodizing paint finishing companies in the country, and the largest independent architectural finishing company. The company has a long-standing reputation as an award-winning leader in environmentally friendly process improvements and sustainable designs, finishes and coatings. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Linetec serves customers across the country for the finishing of products such as aluminum windows, wall systems, doors, skylights and other metallic architectural components as well as automotive, marine and manufactured consumer goods.
Lacquer and other finishes break down more quickly in coastal areas due to continuous exposure to moisture and salt spray. PVD-treated architectural hardware is specifically designed to mitigate these challenges. Architectural metal along the coast has a hard job - salt wind storms - there's always a threat out there waiting to have the outer moldings and moldings you worked so hard on removed. However selecting the right metal for coastal construction can at least delay the deterioration of the beauty and structural integrity of your project while reducing your maintenance needs. Be sure to work with a dealer who can help you specify FORMANI finishing accessories that will stand up to the impact of coastal climate along with the rest of your hardware package. UFGS 08 71 00 door fittings provide a comprehensive description and analysis of applications of locks latches hinges electrical accessories and other door accessories. When it comes to choosing finishes for decorative hardware in coastal areas it's important to consider all factors that could affect its longevity such as salt spray exposure UV radiation alkaline deposits moisture levels temperature changes corrosion abrasion resistance deformation etc.
High performance paints such as those meeting AAMA 2605-22 specification are ideal for coastal areas due to their ability to withstand intense UV radiation salt spray heat moisture erosion etc., while anodizing provides excellent wear abrasion resistance with minimal maintenance in most environments. Linetec is one of the leading providers of PVDF (Kynar) painted coatings and anodized finishes that are designed specifically for coastal areas providing superior protection against corrosion abrasion UV radiation etc., while FORMANI finishing accessories are designed to stand up against salt wind storms ensuring your project's beauty structural integrity are maintained over time.
