Powder Coating

Powder coating is a very durable method of providing a decorative finish to metals and a range of other materials.

We are able to powder coat aluminium and steel components, for both internal and external use, with our on-site dry powder coating facilities.

Although we primarily coat aluminium extrusions, we can also coat your free issue aluminium and steel parts.

Once powder coated, a surface is much less prone to chipping, marking and scratching, and the finish is corrosion resistant.

Powder Coating Aluminium – The Process

Powder coating starts with a multi-stage cleaning process, which allows the coating to adhere to the metal.

  • A de-greaser and light etch is used to clean the metal after which a two-bath rinse cleans it down.
  • Next a non chromate bonder is applied to help the powder adhere to the aluminium.
  • Finally a drying oven is used to ensure no moisture is present when the items are powder coated.

The components are then suspended from a jig and passed through a spray booth where the powder is applied by electrostatic spray guns.

Once the powder has been applied it is passed through a curing oven where the particles melt and fuse together and adhere to the components surface.

This produces a uniform, smooth, durable finish.

Capalex use an automatic continuous chain/conveyor system to move the metal through the spray guns, curing ovens and the final coolers.

We also have the ability to do small batch runs and prototypes with our secondary booth.

Powder Coating Colours

Our on-site dry powder coating facility offers finishing in a variety of colours with RAL, BS or colour matched powders.

RAL is the most widely used colour reference system and was invented in 1927 by Reichsausschuss fur Lieferbedingungen in Germany.

While there is a wide choice of standard RAL colours we can also colour match any current corporate colours and produce custom powders.

Silver and gold anodic powder colours are available which give a similar colour and texture to that achieved with the silver or gold anodising process. These powders could be a more cost effective alternative to anodising.

Powder Coating - RAL Colour Chart
These RAL powder colour charts are for reference only as the hue may vary from monitor to monitor.

We also powder coat in a number of white colours which do not show up on this chart. These are RAL 9910 Hipca, RAL 9003 Signal White, RAL 9010 Pure White, RAL 9016 Traffic White. If you require any further information on powder coating and colours available please contact us.

Please note we can colour match most colours
which you may require providing we have a sample to match the colour too.

RAL 1000
Green Beige
RAL 1001
Beige
RAL 1002
Sand Yellow
RAL 1003
Signal Yellow
RAL 1004
Golden Yellow
RAL 1005
Honey Yellow
RAL 1006
Maize Yellow
RAL 1007
Daffodil Yellow
RAL 1011
Brown Beige
RAL 1012
Lemon Yellow
RAL 1013
Oyster White
RAL 1000
Ivory
RAL 1015
Light Ivory
RAL 1016
Sulfur Yellow
RAL 1017
Saffron Yellow
RAL 1018
Zinc Yellow
RAL 1019
Grey Beige
RAL 1020
Olive Yellow
RAL 1021
Rape Yellow
RAL 1023
Traffic Yellow
RAL 1024
Ochre Yellow
RAL 1027
Curry
RAL 1028
Melon Yellow
RAL 1032
Broom Yellow
RAL 1033
Dahlia Yellow
RAL 1034
Pastel Yellow
RAL 2000
Yellow Orange
RAL 2001
Red Orange
RAL 2002
Vermilion
RAL 2003
Pastel Orange
RAL 2004
Pure Orange
RAL 2008
Lum. Bright Orange
RAL 2009
Traffic Orange
RAL 2010
Signal Orange
RAL 2011
Deep Orange
RAL 2012
Salmon Orange
RAL 3000
Flame Red
RAL 3001
Signal Red
RAL 3002
Carmine Red
RAL 3003
Ruby Red
RAL 3004
Purple Red
RAL 3005
Wine Red
RAL 3007
Black Red
RAL 3009
Oxide Red
RAL 3011
Brown Red
RAL 3012
Beige Red
RAL 3013
Tomato Red
RAL 3014
Antique Pink
RAL 3015
Light Pink
RAL 3016
Coral Red
RAL 3017
Rose
RAL 3018
Strawberry Red
RAL 3020
Traffic Red
RAL 3022
Salmon Pink
RAL 3027
Raspberry Red
RAL 3031
Orient Red
RAL 4001
Red Liliac
RAL 4002
Red Violet
RAL 4003
Heather Violet
RAL 4004
Claret Violet
RAL 4005
Blue Liliac
RAL 4006
Traffic Purle
RAL 4007
Purple Violet
RAL 4008
Signal Violet
RAL 4009
Pastel Violet
RAL 4010
Telemagenta
RAL 5000
Violet Blue
RAL 5001
Green Blue
RAL 5002
Ultramarine Blue
RAL 5003
Sapphire Blue
RAL 5004
Black Blue
RAL 5005
Signal Blue
RAL 5007
Brilliant Blue
RAL 5008
Grey Blue
RAL 5009
Azure Blue
RAL 5010
Gentian Blue
RAL 5011
Steel Blue
RAL 5012
Light Blue
RAL 5013
Cobalt Blue
RAL 5014
Pigeon Blue
RAL 5015
Sky Blue
RAL 5017
Tarffic Blue
RAL 5018
Turquoise Blue
RAL 5019
Capri Blue
RAL 5020
Ocean Blue
RAL 5021
Water Blue
RAL 5022
Night Blue
RAL 5023
Fern Blue
RAL 5024
Pastel Blue
RAL 6000
Patina Green
RAL 6001
Emerald Green
RAL 6002
Leaf Green
RAL 6003
Olive Green
RAL 6004
Blue Green
RAL 6005
Moss Green
RAL 6006
Grey Olive
RAL 6007
Bottle Green
RAL 6008
Brown Green
RAL 6009
Fir Green
RAL 6010
Grass Green
RAL 6011
Reseda Green
RAL 6012
Black Green
RAL 6013
Reed Green
RAL 6014
Yellow Olive
RAL 6015
Black Olive
RAL 6016
Turquoise Green
RAL 6017
May Green
RAL 6018
Yellow Green
RAL 6019
Pastel Green
RAL 6020
Chrome Green
RAL 6021
Pale Green
RAL 6022
Olive Drab
RAL 6024
Traffic Green
RAL 6025
Fern Green
RAL 6026
Opal Green
RAL 6027
Light Green
RAL 6028
Pine Green
RAL 6029
Mint Green
RAL 6030
High Reflective Green
RAL 6031
Bronze Green
RAL 6032
Signal Green
RAL 6033
Turquoise Blue
RAL 6034
Pale Turquoise
RAL 7000
Squireel Grey
RAL 7001
Silver Grey
RAL 7002
Olive Grey
RAL 7003
Moss Grey
RAL 7004
Signal Grey
RAL 7005
Mouse Grey
RAL 7006
Beige Grey
RAL 7008
Khaki Grey
RAL 7009
Green Grey
RAL 7010
Tarpaulin Grey
RAL 7011
Iron Grey
RAL 7012
Basalt Grey
RAL 7013
Brown Grey
RAL 7015
Slate Grey
RAL 7016
Anthracite Grey
RAL 7023
Concrete Grey
RAL 7024
Graphite Grey
RAL 7026
Granite Grey
RAL 7030
Stone Grey
RAL 7031
Blue Grey
RAL 7032
Pebble Grey
RAL 7033
Cement Grey
RAL 7034
Yellow Grey
RAL 7035
Light Grey
RAL 7036
Platinum Grey
RAL 7037
Dusty Grey
RAL 7038
Agate Grey
RAL 7039
Quartz Grey
RAL 7040
Window Grey
RAL 7042
Traffic Grey A
RAL 7043
Traffic Grey B
RAL 7044
Silky Grey
RAL 7045
Telegrey 1
RAL 7046
Telegrey 2
RAL 7047
Telegrey 4
RAL 8000
Green Brown
RAL 8001
Ochre Brown
RAL 8002
Red Brown
RAL 8023
Orange Brown
RAL 8004
Copper Brown
RAL 8007
Fawn Brown
RAL 8008
Olive Brown
RAL 8011
Nut Brown
RAL 8012
Red Brown
RAL 8023
Orange Brown
RAL 8024
Beige Brown
RAL 8025
Pale Brown
RAL 9002
Grey White
RAL 9004
Signal Black
RAL 9005
Jet Black
RAL 9018
Papyrus White

For further information on powder coating colours please contact us.

Surface Finish

Powder coating offers a wide range of durable finishes including metallic, glossy, clear and textured.

Different gloss levels are also available, usually being Gloss, Satin or Matt.

A newer and innovative finish, to resemble an anodised finish is now available, please ask for a sample.

As well as being cheaper then anodising, it can produce a more consistent finish and has a faster turnaround time than anodised metal.

Anodised Powder effect on the left, plain aluminium sample on the right.

Note the amorphous smooth finish of the powdered sample.

Powder Type

Capalex mainly use epoxy, polyester and epoxy/polyester powders.

All powders that we use are TGIC free (Triglycidyl Isocyanurate) and are all in keeping with current personal Health and Safety and Environmental legislation.

Polyester

Polyester powders are far more durable for external work, but is also usually specified by our customers for internal work as well.

Normal powder coverage of 50-80 microns.

Epoxy

Epoxy powders would not be recommended for external use but these powders have very good properties for internal applications.

Normal powder coverage of 50-150 microns.

Epoxy/Polyester (Hybrid)

Epoxy/Polyester powders are a combination of the above powders and again would not be recommended for external work.

Normal powder coverage of 50-70 microns.

Novel Finishes

All novel finishes i.e. Metallic, textured etc. are either Epoxy or Epoxy/Polyester powders

When choosing metallic powders, Capalex always use bonded powders, as this gives a more uniform spread of metallic particles on the end product.

Powder Comparison Chart:
Type of Powder
Property Standard Polyester Enhanced Polyester Epoxy Hybrid Polyurethane
Exterior Durability Good Exellent Very Poor Poor Good
Corrosion Resistance Good Good Excellent Good Good
Impact Resistance Excellent Poor Excellent Excellent Good
Flexibility Excellent Good Excellent Excellent Good
Adhesion Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
Cost Medium Medium / High Medium Low Medium
Film Appearance (50µm thickness) Good Very Good Good Good Excellent
Chemical Resistance Good Good Excellent Very Good Good
Gloss Range 10-95% 20-95% 5-90% 5-90% 5-95%
Heat Resistance Very Good Good Poor Good Very Good
Abrasion Good Good Very Good Good Good

If at all unsure, please contact us and we will be happy to advise you.

How can we help?
Do you have a design query or need extrusion advice?
Contact us today to see how Capalex can help
solve your challenges.
Contact us
Capital Aluminium Extrusions Limited
Cleator Moor, Cumbria,
CA25 5QB, UNITED KINGDOM.