Sublimation Process
Preparation and Coating
All metals can be decorated, but aluminum and steel are the most common. Metals can be molded, machined or shaped even after the wood grain coating is applied.
To start the powder coating process, a pretreatment of chemical conversions gets applied to a raw aluminum surface, creating thin layers of amorphous oxide with a coating.
Powder coating involves the process of applying dry paint to a metal product by way of electrostatically charging the powder and then spraying it onto the product. Polymerization is then performed. The applied base coat is conducive to creating sufficient hardness on the finalized product. Moreover, it protects aluminum against factors such as weather, corrosion, abrasion, light and humidity.
Decoration
In the next stage of the process, a transfer film, with the selected metal decoration pattern printed on it using special high temperature inks, is applied over the products with a tight contact. The products are then loaded inside our sublimation machine which under pressure and temperature is able to vaporize the inks which penetrate inside the paint layer previously applied.
The products are then taken out from the powder coating machine and the exhausted films are easily removed. At this point the products are completely decorated and ready for shipment. No extra protection coating is required.
Aluminum wood grain profiles are appearing virtually everywhere, across all industries. Being comprised of aluminum, which weighs considerably less than steel, these structures can be customized in both shape, color and pattern. The subtle beauty of wood grain aluminum profiles will add substantially to the value of any building or structure in any industry.
The finished product is so realistic that guests will never suspect that the wood grain profiles are, in fact, powder coated. Even better, adding Carolina Sublimation's wood grain on aluminum profiles helps protect against the elements.
Decoral's powder coats are currently available in 150 different wood grain finishes as well as other looks. In addition, Decoral can also create custom powder coat patterns. Contact us today to learn more about the possibilities our exclusive coating technology provides with wood grain on aluminum profiles.
Powder coating is completed by our sister companies: