The luxurious feel of metallics has for decades influenced architecture and design. Walk through any world city today and you’ll be dazzled by pearlescent building facades glinting in the sun. 

For architects considering the metallic look, there are a number of considerations. We asked Axalta Technology Manager Anne-Lise Michaud to talk us through anodic-effect powder coatings and chemical anodisation to see what each approach offers.

Stability and resilience

“Many architects like the transparent metallic finish produced by chemical anodisation,” says Anne-Lise. “The result provides good resistance to corrosion and scratches, and it’s durable for outdoor use. Anodised panels are very easy to clean – you just need water and a mild detergent. For me, those are the main reasons to choose chemical anodisation.” 

Durability is undoubtedly a major consideration for specifiers, an area in which powder coatings can compete. According to Anne-Lise, sustainability is one major area where powder coatings definitely have the edge.  “If a sustainable approach is important, powder coatings offer something that anodisation can’t – an environmentally friendly product.” 

Sustainability benefits

While the chemical anodisation process uses sulphuric acid, many powder coatings, including those in Axalta’s SuprAnodic Collection, do not contain VOCs or any hazardous substances. Another sustainability tick for powder coatings is the possibility to make on-site repairs to extend the life of the product. 

Colour choice is another area where chemical anodisation just can’t compete. “Chemical anodisation produces a limited palette of metallic colours with a mostly matte finish,” says Anne-Lise. “Anodic-effect powder coatings offer a much wider choice. In the SuprAnodic Collection we’ve developed 22 colours. Some of the shades reflect traditional anodic colours such as browns, bronzes and golds while others – including terracotta and aubergine – have been inspired by trends.” 

Flexibility

On the topic of application, Anne-Lise lists several reasons to consider powder coatings. “Chemical anodisation can only be achieved on aluminium, whereas powder coatings can be applied to aluminium and steel,” she says. “Batch-to-batch consistency can be achieved in a way that’s just not possible with chemical anodisation and it’s possible to cover minor defects in the substrate.”

According to Anne-Lise, anodic-effect powder coatings are here to stay. “We regularly evaluate which products our customers are choosing and several colours in the SuprAnodic collection are always high on the list,” she says. “Champagne, gold, bronze and metallic black are particularly in demand.”