What is coloured aluminium sheet called?

Color aluminum sheets are high-performance decorative materials made from aluminum alloy substrates with surface coating treatments. They combine the mechanical strength of metal with the decorative appeal of coatings, offering excellent weather resistance and corrosion resistance while showcasing rich colors and textural effects. With the diversification and premiumization of architectural decorative materials, color aluminum sheets have gained widespread application across multiple sectors—including building curtain walls, roofing systems, interior decoration, appliance sheets, and transportation—due to their lightweight, aesthetic appeal, environmental friendliness, and ease of processing. They have become a vital material in modern architecture and industrial manufacturing.

1. Basic Concept of Color Aluminum Sheets

Color aluminum sheets are composite materials formed by coating aluminum alloy sheets with various colored finishes after surface treatment. This material combines the strength of metal with the decorative appeal of coatings, fulfilling structural requirements while delivering an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The production process typically involves several steps: first, cleaning and chemically treating the aluminum sheet; then applying a primer coat; followed by a topcoat; and finally, potentially adding a protective film. This multi-layer structure provides excellent weather resistance and corrosion protection.

- Coating Types

The surface coating of color-coated aluminum sheets determines their visual appearance and durability. Common coating types include:

- Polyester Coating (PE): Economical and practical, offering a wide range of colors

- Fluorocarbon Coating (PVDF): Exceptional weather resistance and extended service life

- Acrylic Coating: Offers properties between polyester and fluorocarbon

This multi-layer structure not only provides outstanding decorative effects but also significantly enhances corrosion resistance, UV resistance, and pollution resistance. It ensures long-term color vibrancy and stable gloss retention in outdoor environments.

2. Production Process of Color Aluminum Sheets

The production process of color aluminum sheets is a high-precision continuous operation. Raw aluminum sheets undergo multiple stages including degreasing, cleaning, chemical conversion, primer spraying, baking, topcoat spraying, curing, and cooling—each step critically impacts product quality.

To ensure weather resistance and adhesion, manufacturers strictly control:

- Coating thickness (typically 15–25 microns)

- Baking temperature and duration

- Uniformity of the chemical conversion coating

- Color deviation within ΔE ≤ 1

Qualified color-coated aluminum sheets exhibit flat surfaces, uniform coatings, and freedom from bubbles or pinholes, enabling superior performance in demanding environments.

3. Characteristics of Color Aluminum Sheets:

(1) Excellent durability and weather resistance;

Manufactured through continuous cold-rolling of metal strip, this product offers stable, reliable performance and easy maintenance. It resists discoloration and fading, with a service life exceeding 30 years under normal conditions. Thus, it is ideal for exterior and interior wall cladding in various building projects.

(2) Superior fire resistance, thermal insulation, and soundproofing;

National testing centers confirm: The thermal conductivity of color aluminum sheets is 0.028 W/m·K, compared to 0.4 W/m·K for polystyrene foam core materials—a difference exceeding 50%. Its material composition also provides excellent fire resistance and sound insulation.

(3) Superior mechanical properties and weldability;

Tests by relevant authorities confirm that the mechanical properties and weld strength of color-coated aluminum coils exceed the requirements of the national standard GB3880-2006 “Tensile Test Methods for Metallic Materials for Building Construction.”

(4) Lightweight, High Strength, and Easy to Process

With an aluminum alloy density only one-third that of steel, color aluminum sheets are lightweight, facilitating convenient transportation and installation. Furthermore, their excellent ductility and plasticity allow for processing such as shearing, stamping, bending, and welding according to specific requirements.

(5) Diverse Colors and Strong Decorative Appeal

The coating colors of color aluminum sheets can be customized to meet design needs, offering stable, vibrant, and long-lasting hues. Beyond standard solid colors, they can achieve various visual effects like stone-like textures, wood grain patterns, brushed finishes, and matte surfaces, meeting diverse architectural aesthetic demands.

(6) Environmentally Friendly, Non-Toxic, Safe and Reliable

The coating materials contain no harmful substances such as formaldehyde, lead, or cadmium, complying with international environmental standards. They release no toxic gases during use, making them safe for residential buildings, hospitals, schools, and other public structures.

(7) Low Maintenance and Easy Cleaning

The surface of color aluminum sheets exhibits excellent self-cleaning properties, resisting dust and stain adhesion. Should surface grime occur, simply wipe with water or a neutral detergent to restore its luster.

4. Primary Applications of Color Aluminum Sheets

(1) Architectural Decoration Sector

Color aluminum sheets serve as a vital material for modern building curtain walls and roofing systems, widely used in high-rise buildings, airports, subways, convention centers, and similar structures. Their lightweight, corrosion-resistant properties and versatile design capabilities lend architectural exteriors a contemporary and technologically advanced aesthetic.

- Exterior Curtain Wall Systems: Offer rich color options, diverse textures, and superior wind pressure resistance;

- Roofing systems: Excellent waterproofing, aging resistance, and energy efficiency;

- Ceiling sheets: Lightweight, durable, easy to install and maintain.

(2) Interior Decoration

Color aluminum sheets are extensively used for walls, ceilings, cabinet doors, partitions, and other decorative elements in residential and commercial spaces. Their smooth, flat surfaces resist deformation while maintaining vibrant, long-lasting colors, adding aesthetic appeal and dimensionality to interiors.

(3) Advertising and Signage Production

With advantages like smooth surfaces, vibrant colors, and easy processing, color aluminum sheets are ideal for manufacturing billboards, light boxes, and directional signs. They can be customized through screen printing, digital printing, and other techniques, offering significantly longer lifespans than standard painted sheets.

(4) Transportation and Vehicle Manufacturing

In automobiles, trains, subways, and other vehicles, color aluminum sheets serve as interior and exterior cladding materials. They offer high strength and impact resistance while reducing overall vehicle weight, contributing to improved fuel efficiency and energy savings.

(5) Home Appliances and Electronics

With their smooth surface and corrosion resistance, color aluminum sheets are commonly used in manufacturing the outer casings of home appliances like refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and microwaves, balancing practicality with aesthetics.

(6) Industrial Manufacturing and Packaging

Color aluminum sheets are also employed in machine enclosures, instrument casings, and premium packaging materials. Their moisture-proof and rust-resistant properties effectively safeguard internal structures and product quality.

5. Development Trends of Color Aluminum Sheets

As the construction industry advances toward green and energy-efficient practices, color aluminum sheets are progressively moving toward high-end, intelligent, and eco-friendly applications. Key future trends include:

(1) Advanced Weather-Resistant Coating Technologies: New fluorocarbon and nano-coating technologies will significantly extend service life and reduce maintenance costs.

(2) Smart Coating & Customized Production: CNC spraying and digital color management systems enable diverse textures and personalized designs to meet varied architectural styles.

(3) Environmental sustainability and recyclability: Aluminum composite sheets are 100% recyclable and will integrate with renewable energy building systems to become truly low-carbon construction materials.

(4) Multi-functional integration: sheets will evolve toward sound insulation, thermal insulation, self-cleaning, anti-static, and other multifunctional capabilities, providing comprehensive performance support for buildings.

Color aluminum sheets transcend mere architectural decoration; they embody the fusion of modern industrial design and green building principles. With superior weather resistance, lightweight construction, diverse color options, and eco-friendly attributes, they have earned global acclaim from architects and manufacturers. Whether in high-rise curtain walls, urban landmark structures, or residential and industrial applications, these sheets demonstrate the boundless potential of metal materials in the modern era through their exceptional comprehensive performance.