Pre-painted aluminium paint compositions

admin — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 04:06:21 +0000

Vestis products are coated using a specialist polyester paint.

When it comes to pre-painted aluminium, there are four coat application methods, each comprising of four main components.

More than 90 per cent of pre-finished metals are made with liquid paint. The remaining 10 per cent use laminate film. Our range of pre-painted aluminium finishes, Vestis, from Mazzonetto, uses liquid paint. Wet coatings have four main components:

Binders
Solvents
Pigments
Additives

Binders

Binders characterises different paint methods. Often pre-coated aluminium and steel will be refereed to, or classified by its binder. Binders give paint structure and there are four varieties; polyester, polyurethane, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), and plastisol (PVC). Each type has its own sub-classes, where different chemical compositions create various levels of quality and durability.

Vestis is considered a polyester product. Traditionally polyester paint was believed to limit material flexibility and durability. Vestis differs from standard polyester coatings, as it sits within a sub-section, called high durability polyester paint. This specialist coating provides Vestis with a 35 micron layer finish, instead of polyester paint’s standard offering of 20-25 microns. High durability polyester paints create improved surface performance, flexibility, and exceptional UV resistance.

Solvents

Solvents help paint achieve a reliable smooth film across a product’s base material, prior to curing. Solvent are added to ensure the paint will flow well onto raw metal. Without reliable paint flow, achieving a smooth, consistent finish is near impossible.

Pigments

Pigments create paint colour. In addition to colouring raw metal coil, pigments also determine some physical performance properties; such as corrosion resilience. Even coated aluminium is prone to corrosion. No mater how many layers of paint are applied, the product is still metal at its core. Deterioration can occur during coil storage, and after installation. The pigment used in Vestis pre-painted aluminium provides a 40 year corrosion warranty, on applications located more than 1 km from the coast. For information on coastal warranties, please contact us to discuss your options.

Additives

Additives give pre-painted products their point of difference. These supplements can benefit production speed, UV stability, surface lustre and scratch, chemical and salt resistance.

For more information on Vestis pre-painted aluminium, visit our homepage, by clicking here. Or contact us at info@architecturalmetalsaustralia.com.au.

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Pre-painted coil coating

admin — Wed, 10 Aug 2016 04:21:27 +0000

The Coil Coating method is used to apply Vestis’ high durability polyester reinforced finish.

Coil Coating, is a continual, automated paint application process, commonly used on aluminium and steel. It’s fast, reliable, and capable of creating exceptionally durable, colour accurate, construction products. Purpose-built machinery, operated in purpose-built facilities, completes the coating process. On average a standard paint line is capable of coating around 200 meters of coil per minute. Unique coil stitching technology allows for continual production; minimising downtime between different coils. Pre-painted treatments follow strict and controlled manufacturing processes to ensure consistency and quality.

There are two main factors that set pre-coated metals apart from traditional paint coatings. The first, is uniformity of cleaning. Pre-treatment and coating and conducted are controlled in purpose built manufacturing environments. The second, is layer synergy. From pre-treatment to finished topcoats, each layer compliments and enhances another. While pre-painted metals are often identified by their topcoat, when looking at Coil Coating as a method, it’s important to remember each layer contributes to a product’s success.

A typical pre-coated metal composition. Image source: ECCA

Taking a closer look: the production line

It takes 12 steps to transform each Vestis coil from raw aluminium, into a 35 micron, high durability reinforced polyester pre-painted architectural product. The list and diagram below represent a typical Coil Coating production line.

Coil stitching of the previous coil to the next coil strip in the line
Strip cleaning
Power brushing
Chemical pre-treatment
Drying
Dual primer application (applied to both sides of the material)
15 to 60 seconds in the first curing oven
Cooling
Paint application to both or one side of the material
15 to 60 seconds in the second curing oven
Cooling (to room temperature)
Re-coiled for sale and distribution

Coil coating process, image source, NCCA.

For more information on Coil Coating, visit Europe’s leading body for pre-painted metals, the ECCA, by clicking here.

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Technical information – Architectural Metals Australia