The ‘72 Changes’ of Coloured Aluminium: Wood Grain, Stone Grain And Brushed Metal

How pre-painted technology makes aluminium a ‘universal canvas’ in the design world

In the field of architectural and industrial design, the **expressive** appearance of materials and the **integration of functions** are often the key to the success of a product. In the field of architectural and industrial design, the expressive appearance and functional integration of materials are often the key to the success or failure of a product. With its simulated texture technology and multifunctional coatings, colour coated aluminium is transforming itself from a single metal material into a ‘customisable art carrier’. Whether it is the warm texture of natural wood grain, the luxurious atmosphere of marble grain, or the industrial aesthetics of brushed metal, coloured aluminium can be perfectly presented through the pre-coating process, providing designers with unlimited creative space.  

Wood grain coloured aluminium: reproduce the natural ‘ecological code’

Technical analysis

Printing process:

through high-precision roller coating or gravure printing, the wood grain pattern (such as oak, walnut, bamboo) is reproduced on the surface of aluminium rolls, and the error is controlled within 0.01mm.  

Coating overlay:

transparent protective coating (e.g. polyurethane) is covered on the wood grain layer to enhance the scratch resistance and UV resistance, and the colour will not fade after 10 years of outdoor use.  

Application Scenarios

Building Decoration: Oasia Hotel in Singapore uses vertical greening and woodgrain coloured aluminium on the exterior wall to create the concept of ‘Forest Hotel’.  

Furniture manufacturing: wood grain coloured aluminium is used for cabinets and door panels, replacing solid wood, which is both environmentally friendly and durable.  

Packaging design: wood grain aluminium foil packaging for high-end tea cans and wine boxes to enhance the added value of products.  

Comparison of Advantages

Characteristics	Solid wood	Wood grain coloured aluminium
Corrosion resistance	Easy to be deformed by humidity	Waterproof, insect resistant
Processing complexity	Needs to be spliced	One-piece moulding
Environmental protection	Cutting down trees	Recyclable aluminium substrate

Stone Coloured Aluminium: Luxurious Industrial Recycling"

Technical Breakthrough

Digital Inkjet Technology:

Through computer-controlled nozzles, ceramic pigments are sprayed on the surface of aluminium coils to form natural marble and granite textures.  

3D relief effect:

Combining mechanical embossing and coating process, it simulates the concave and convex texture of stone, which is highly unified between touch and vision.

Typical cases

Dubai Mall: stone pattern coloured aluminium curtain wall imitates Carrara white marble, the cost is only 1/3 of natural stone.

Sanitary products: stone pattern coloured aluminium is used for shower partition and washbasin, which is anti-mould and easy to clean.

Functional upgrades

Fire protection performance: the coating flame retardant grade reaches B1, suitable for shopping malls, hospitals and other public places.  

Anti-bacterial treatment: silver ion coating is added to inhibit the breeding of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.  

Brushed metal aluminium: the ‘minimalist expression’ of industrial aesthetics.

Process Principle

Mechanical brushing: one-way friction on the surface of aluminium coils through high-speed abrasive belts to form a delicate and uniform hairline pattern.  

Chemical etching: Using acidic solution to etch the aluminium surface, and controlling the reaction time to form different thicknesses of brushed effect.

Application Areas

Electronic Products: Apple MacBook case is made of brushed coloured aluminium in deep sky grey, which is delicate to the touch and fingerprint-proof.  

Kitchen appliances: hoods and ovens made of brushed coloured aluminium are grease-resistant and easy to clean.  

High-end architecture: the brushed aluminium sunshade system in Tokyo's Ginza commercial centre combines sunshade with the art of light and shadow.  

Selection Guide

Texture Type	Cost	Weather Resistance (Years)	Applicable Scene
Wood Grain	medium	10-15	Indoor and Outdoor Decoration, Furniture
Stone grain	high	15-20	High-end curtain wall, sanitary ware
Brushed	low	8-12	Electronics, Kitchenware

Selection Advice:

- Highly corrosive outdoor environments: Priority is given to Fluorocarbon coated stone grain coloured aluminium.

- Pursuing cost-effective: polyester coated wood grain coloured aluminium is more economical.

- Industrial style design: brushed coloured aluminium with matte coating.

When metal has the magic power of ‘72 changes’

The texture revolution of coloured aluminium not only reshapes the visual language of the material, but also pushes the boundary of innovation in the design industry. From ecological wood grain to technological wire drawing, from luxurious stone grain to artistic gradation, colour aluminium makes cold metal both natural beauty and intelligent function in the form of ‘universal canvas’. In the era of personalisation and sustainable development, colourful aluminium is using the magic of ‘72 changes’ to write a new chapter of material science.

Next time, when you touch a wood grain aluminium door, see a stone curtain wall, or hold a brushed aluminium laptop in your hand, please remember: this is not a replica of natural materials, but a perfect collision of industrial science and technology with artistic inspiration.