Anodized Plus®
WHY CHOOSE ANODIZED PLUS® ?
Complete General Contracting’s Anodized Plus® finish is a two-step process similar to the conventional anodized finishes sold in the United States. In a two-step process the surface of the aluminum extrusion is treated such that a barrier layer forms first and then a porous anodic film forms on top of that. To provide color, a metal salt is deposited down into each pore. The pores are then sealed, as the metal salt is vulnerable to attack and degradation from pollution, chemicals, salt, spray, and mortar.
ANODIZED PLUS® COLORS
What You See is What You Get
* These colors are shown for informational purposes only. They will vary depending on your monitor’s settings. If color selection is critical, please request a sample in the color you are considering.
CONVENTIONAL SEALING
The conventional sealing process involves immersing the aluminum extrusion down into either a hot water or steam tank. This type of sealing process causes a chemical reaction to take place on the surface of the aluminum that is intended to close the pores. Performance studies have shown that this sealing process does not close 100% of the pores, leaving the anodized finish susceptible to damage. AAMA 611, Voluntary Standards for Anodized Architectural Aluminum, has established two performance levels for anodized finishes: Class I which requires 0.7 mils of anodic film and Class II which requires 0.4 mils of anodic film. The thicker layer of anodic film is an attempt to provide a longer lasting finish as the inadequacies of the seal process leaves the finish vulnerable to degradation from chemicals and environmental factors.ering.
ABOVE AND BEYOND
Complete General Contracting is so convinced of the strength of the Anodized Plus® finish that our standard warranty is for 10 years in lieu of the industry standard 2 years for a Class I and the 1 year for a Class II anodized finish. The manufacturer of Complete General Contracting Anodized Plus® product maintains total control of every aspect of the production of the aluminum members themselves, enabling them to offer a single color sample for each of the anodized finishes.
Industry norm is to provide a light and a dark color sample and state that the color of the material that they supply will be somewhere within that range.
THE DIFFERENCE WITH ANODIZED PLUS®
Anodized Plus® replaces the hot water/steam sealing process with an organic seal. After the metal salts have been deposited, the aluminum extrusion is immersed down into a tank where organic resin is electrodeposited and absorbed in and on the porous anodic oxide film, then heated to simultaneously cross-link, cure resin grains and narrow oxide pores to anchor the resin film to form a continuous seal. The enhanced protection afforded by the organic seal negates the need for a thicker layer of anodic film and in fact provides improved resistance to staining and degradation. Tests have proven that Anodized Plus® is able to combine the unique beauty and economy of an anodized finish with the durability and performance that is comparable to that of higher priced Fluoropolymer paints (i.e. Kynar 500®). The American Architectural Manufacturers Association has now published AAMA 612, Voluntary Specifications, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for Combined Coatings of Anodic Oxide and Transparent Coatings on Architectural Aluminum, for finishes such as Anodized Plus®. This new standard for anodized finishes adds requirements for color and gloss retention, testing for resistance to damage from mortar, acid rain, pollution, detergent, window cleaner.
MORE TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Testing for Strength and Durability
Comparison of Anodized Finish Standards
Our unique vertical anodizing process provides the greatest color consistency in the industry.