Aluminium surface treatments and machining

From lacquering to thermal breaking, Constellium soft alloys plants in France provide a wide range of surface treatments and machining options.

Adding the finishing touch

In addition to manufacturing aluminium profiles and extrusions, we offer customers a wide variety of surface treatment and machining techniques.

These include lacquering, anodizing, thermal breaking and machining.

Thermo-lacquering process

The process of thermo-lacquering involves preparing the surface and then applying a chemical conversion coating followed by the lacquer. The product is then baked in a furnace.

Our sites in Ham and Saint Florentin have two vertical paint lines and one horizontal paint line, which can apply an extensive color range in glossy, metallic or matte finish to profiles up to 7.4 m long.

The paint process complies with Qualicoat, a quality label organization committed to high standards for aluminium products lacquered in batches after forming.

Similarly, Qualicoat approves all paint prior to use and verifies its quality and performance over time.

Aluminium anodizing process

Our plants have  three anodizing lines capable of treating profiles of up to 8.4 m long.

Anodizing is a specific surface treatment for aluminium whereby an electrolytic process is used to create a uniform and resistant surface layer of aluminium oxide. This coating gives a very attractive satin finish to the product and can be performed with an optional coloring process.

The complex anodizing process involves a series of soaking tanks and successive rinsing processes. It consists of four main process steps: 

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  Surface preparation
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  Forming of a coating of anhydrous alumina
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  An optional coloring process
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  Final sealing of the anodic layer

Our anodizing process complies with the Qualanod quality standards for anodic oxide coatings.

Thermal breaking

When it comes to thermal breaks for window and door systems, Constellium soft alloys plants in France can respond equally well to the simplest and most complex customer requirements.

We apply two different systems for the assembly of thermal breaks for window and door systems. The thermal barrier separating the aluminium profiles consists either of a small polyamide rod or a polyurethane resin base.

We operate five dedicated assemblies for the manufacture of thermal breaks. Four use the polyamide rod method and one uses the resin curing method. In line with the high quality and process requirements of all our Constellium plants, we offer a choice of reliable technical solutions for thermal breaks.

Aluminium machining services

In addition to extrusion and surface treatment operations, our machining workshops and network of sub-contractors offer a wide variety of finishing services.

By delivering parts that are in an advanced stage of finishing or ready-to-use parts, we help customers optimize their own production process and cycle times.

Key-fact

Our surface treatment and machining offer includes lacquering, anodizing, thermal breaking and machining.