What is the difference between coloured aluminium and ordinary aluminium alloy?
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What is the difference between coloured aluminium and ordinary aluminium alloy?

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Coloured aluminium and ordinary aluminium alloy are two common building decoration materials, they are both made of aluminium or aluminium alloy after surface treatment, which have the characteristics of light weight, corrosion resistance, easy processing and so on. However, there are some obvious differences between them, which are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

 

Appearance


Ordinary Aluminium Alloy

Usually has a silver - gray metallic appearance. It is the natural color of the aluminium alloy without any additional coloring treatments. The surface may have a dull or shiny metallic luster depending on its surface finish, such as mill - finished (a relatively dull finish after rolling or extrusion) or polished (a shiny finish).


Coloured Aluminium

It has a wide range of colors. The coloring process can give it vibrant hues such as red, blue, green, and various metallic finishes like bronze or gold - like appearances. This is achieved through methods like anodizing and powder coating. For example, in anodized coloured aluminium, the anodizing process creates a porous oxide layer on the surface of the aluminium. Dyes can then be absorbed into this layer, resulting in a consistent and durable color.


Corrosion Resistance


Ordinary Aluminium Alloy

It has a certain level of natural corrosion resistance due to the formation of a thin oxide layer on its surface. However, this resistance is generally lower than that of coloured aluminium treated with advanced corrosion - resistant coloring methods. For instance, in a humid or salty environment, ordinary aluminium alloy may corrode more quickly than coloured aluminium with a proper protective coating.


Coloured Aluminium

The coloring processes, especially anodizing, can enhance the corrosion resistance of aluminium. The anodized oxide layer not only provides a means for coloring but also acts as a protective barrier against corrosion. For example, in outdoor applications such as building facades or window frames, anodized coloured aluminium can better withstand the effects of rain, sunlight, and pollutants. The colored coating can prevent the underlying aluminium from coming into contact with corrosive substances.


Surface Hardness


Ordinary Aluminium Alloy

It has a relatively lower surface hardness compared to coloured aluminium treated with hardening processes. It is more prone to scratches and dents, which can affect its appearance and performance. For example, if an ordinary aluminium alloy part is rubbed against a rough surface, it is more likely to show visible scratches than a properly treated coloured aluminium part.


Coloured Aluminium

Some coloring methods, like anodizing, can increase the surface hardness of aluminium. The anodized oxide layer can be quite hard, making the coloured aluminium more resistant to scratches and abrasions. For example, in applications where the material may be subject to frequent handling or exposure to objects that could cause scratching, such as in the manufacturing of consumer electronics casings or automotive trim, anodized coloured aluminium can maintain its appearance better.


Function and Application


Ordinary Aluminium Alloy

It is more commonly used in applications where the focus is on its mechanical properties such as strength and lightweight characteristics. For example, in the aerospace industry for the construction of aircraft parts, and in the automotive industry for engine components and structural parts. Although appearance may also be a consideration in some cases, its natural color is usually acceptable for these functional - oriented applications.


Coloured Aluminium

It is widely used in applications where aesthetics play a crucial role. This includes architectural decoration (such as coloured aluminium curtain walls), interior design (coloured aluminium decorative panels), and consumer products (coloured aluminium mobile phone cases). The color can be customized to match specific design requirements and branding.


Type Main Applications
Coloured Aluminium Architectural decoration (e.g. curtain walls), interior design (e.g. decorative panels), consumer products (e.g. mobile phone cases)
Ordinary Aluminium Alloy Aerospace (e.g. aircraft parts), automotive (e.g. engine and structural parts)



Cost of coloured aluminium VS. ordinary aluminium alloy


Raw Material Cost


Ordinary Aluminium Alloy

It generally has a lower raw material cost in terms of the basic alloy without any added coloring processes. The cost mainly depends on the type of alloy (such as 6061, 7075, etc.) and its market price, which is influenced by factors like the cost of aluminium ore, energy for smelting, and production volume.



Coloured Aluminium


The base material cost of coloured aluminium and ordinary aluminium alloy may be similar at first, as they often start with the same or similar aluminium alloy compositions. However, coloured aluminium requires additional processing steps for coloring.

For example, if anodizing is used to color the aluminium, there are costs associated with the anodizing chemicals, such as sulphuric acid for the anodizing bath and dyes. These chemicals can add to the overall cost. In the case of powder coating, the cost of the powder coating materials, which can vary depending on the quality and color, is an additional expense.


Processing Cost


Ordinary Aluminium Alloy




Processing costs for ordinary aluminium alloy are mainly related to the basic forming processes such as extrusion, rolling, or casting. These processes are focused on shaping the alloy into the desired form (e.g., extruding into profiles for window frames or casting into engine parts). While these processes have their own costs, they are generally lower than the combined processing costs for coloured aluminium.


Coloured Aluminium


The processing cost is significantly higher. As mentioned earlier, coloring processes like anodizing or powder coating involve multiple steps. Anodizing requires careful preparation of the aluminium surface, including cleaning, etching, and then the anodizing process itself, which can be time - consuming and energy - intensive.

For powder coating, the aluminium needs to be pre - treated to ensure good adhesion of the powder. The powder coating equipment and the actual coating process also add to the cost. Additionally, quality control for a consistent and even color finish requires more attention and potentially more labor and equipment, increasing the overall processing cost.


Overall Cost


Ordinary Aluminium Alloy

It is generally less costly, making it a more budget - friendly option when color is not a primary consideration and the focus is on the mechanical or basic structural properties of the aluminium alloy. However, in some cases, if the application requires a high - grade or specialized alloy, the cost may increase, but it still usually remains lower than that of coloured aluminium with the same base alloy.


Coloured Aluminium


Overall, coloured aluminium is more expensive due to the additional costs of the coloring process and the need for more precise quality control to achieve a good - looking and durable color finish. The exact cost difference can vary widely depending on the color, the quality of the coloring process, and the quantity produced. For example, a highly specialized color or a finish that requires a multi - step or custom coloring process can be much more expensive than a standard color.



In summary, coloured aluminium and ordinary aluminium alloy have distinct characteristics. The former excels in appearance and corrosion resistance with added colour treatments, while the latter focuses on core mechanical properties. Whether you seek decorative elegance or functional strength, understanding these differences is key. For quality aluminium materials and expert advice, contact Changzhou Dingang Metal Materials Co., Ltd. 



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