Twenty one years ago, AMS adopted chrome free pretreatment technology when they installed their first coating plant in 2002. Understanding the intricacies of these early systems AMS ensured that the methodology was followed precisely. They were granted a Qualicoat License in 2003 and twenty one years later the company is still using chrome free technology across more than one powder coating plant at their extensive aluminium extrusion, finishing and fabrication facility in Cork.

QUALICOAT Members will be on hand on stand A20 at the forthcoming Surface World exhibition which takes place on the 4th & 5th October in Hall 11 at the NEC in Birmingham. If you are attending please drop by to meet us and discuss any issues you may have or possibly discuss with us your potential membership.

Architectural powder coating is seen by many as a simple impervious finish that, when correctly applied to aluminium systems, will offer years of service life provided a basic cleaning and maintenance regime is followed. Whilst it is true that powder coated fenestration can offer decades of serviceable life, it is not so ‘simple’ to achieve, as one may be led to believe.

As the Association covers both the UK and Ireland, the second members council meeting of the year was held at Architectural & Metal Systems (AMS), based in Cork, who kindly offered their meeting room facilities for the event which was attended by thirty members.

The QUALICOAT Specification is unique and it can be confusing to understand exactly what it is? It is not a national standard, such as a British Standard or an ISO and it does not fall under any country or specification body. What it is, is a freely available global specification, updated in real time, produced by members of the QUALICOAT Association.

As with any applied finish exposed to British weather, it is important that a maintenance regime is put in place to keep it performing and looking well for many years. If neglected, over time atmospheric pollutants are deposited on the surface of finishes and if not removed, these pollutants can affect the colour and surface finish. So what should we be specifying by way of finish and maintenance?

The first meeting of members of the Association was held in February with an excellent presence at the meeting with only a couple of members joining via a conference connection. Growth of the Association continues apace with PPG joining earlier in the year and a further three architectural powder coaters close to being approved for membership by being offered a QUALICOAT licence.

Often in an attempt to reduce costs through the supply chain, installers of architectural aluminium products will use powder coaters who often do not possess the correct pretreatment lines. There is also the possibility that some coaters who do have the correct pretreatment systems do not have the correct controls in place and the quality of the coatings can vary, even though they can claim to coat to BS EN 12206.

Simply put, third party accreditation invites an independent person or company the responsibility to undertake process and product checking to ensure the product or service meets the quoted standard. The result gives the client confidence that the product will fulfil their specified needs whilst the supplier is also qualified as a supplier of quality product.

The quality of any architectural powder coating relies on its ability to adhere to the aluminium substrate. If there is no ‘key’ to adhere to, the powder coating is prone to chipping or flaking off in use. As powder coating is porous at the molecular level, an untreated aluminium substrate, subject to weathering, will oxidise under the coating if it is not completely sealed.

It is now mandatory that the applicator licence holders Laboratory Technicians attend a refresher training course at least once every two years. This ensures that the latest developments in the QUALICOAT Specification for production monitoring and testing is implemented and maintained.

Following QUALICOAT’s recent announcement that three new powder coating companies had completed inspections and been awarded licences from QUALICOAT, this month sees a further new coating company joining the association with the granting of licence approval. Architectural Powder Coatings, (APC) based in Blaydon, Newcastle-upon-Tyne is a privately owned company specialising in the powder coating of all architectural aluminium components and systems.

Members met at the Arden Hotel, Solihull for their Autumn meeting with most members opting to meet in person and several joining remotely. The format of the ‘hybrid’ meeting is proving to be very successful and gives more members the opportunity to attend meetings of the Association and partake in the updating of the QUALICOAT specification.

A QUALICOAT specification is not just aimed at commercial projects, the specification is relevant to all architectural aluminium powder coating requirements, commercial and residential. It is crucial therefore that aluminium residential installations receive the same care when choosing and specifying the right surface treatment.

A QUALICOAT specification is not just aimed at commercial projects, the specification is relevant to all architectural aluminium powder coating requirements, commercial and residential. It is crucial therefore that aluminium residential installations receive the same care when choosing and specifying the right surface treatment.

During the recent QUALICOAT UK & Ireland conference held at the Building Centre in London, Chris Mansfield Commercial Director of Tomburn and licensed QUALICOAT Applicator, offered delegates an insight into the recently released BS EN 12206 for coated architectural aluminium having sat on the working group dealing with the revision.

Held in June, QUALICOAT UK & Ireland’s conference at the Building Centre in London, ‘Future Proofing Facades’, has been hailed a success by all who attended. The event was professionally organised and run by QUALICOAT UK & Ireland with the support of the Department of Marketing. The event concentrated on aluminium in construction as a sustainable fenestration material and, in particular, how powder coating has advanced over the last few years to meet specifiers expectations.

During the last few years membership of QUALICOAT in UK & Ireland has increased significantly as the QUALICOAT specification has become more widely known by specifiers in the Construction Industry. The latest company to join the Association is Tomburn, a well established architectural powder coater based in the South of England.

Appendix A13 of the QUALICOAT Specifications is aimed at specifiers who have large facade projects and wish to take advantage of the additional protection that comes from a ‘QUALICOAT 3.0’ Specification. Whilst the current QUALICOAT supply chain includes powder manufacturers, pretreatment systems providers and architectural powder coaters, QUALICOAT 3.0 introduces for the first time the aluminium extruders into the QUALICOAT powder coating supply chain.

The first ‘hybrid’ members meeting of the year was held at the Arden Hotel, Solihull in March and was well attended by members both in person and online. Besides the continued growth of QUALICOAT in the UK & Ireland, the main topic of discussion was the upcoming ‘Future Proofing Facades’ event that is to take place on the 14th June at the Building Centre, Store Street, London.