Alphatec® - Dulux Powder Coatings


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Product Performance Radar

See how this product rates on selected measures below.

Scale

Superior: 5

Excellent: 4

Very good: 3

Good: 2

OK: 1

Not Applicable: 0

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Description of measures:

Exterior colour & chalking resistance - The powder coated film's resistance to colour fading and chalking in exterior conditions during its warrantable period (in accordance with the Dulux Care & Maintenance program).
Exterior film durability - The powder coated film's resistance to peeling, cracking or flaking during its warrantable period (applicable to aluminium substrates only) (in accordance with the Dulux Care & Maintenance program).
Corrosion resistance - The powder coated system's resistance to corrosion during its warrantable period (applicable to steel substrates only)
Film Hardness - The powder coated film's resistance to gouging or rupturing.
Low energy curing - Some powder coating ranges enable a reduction in energy consumption through lower oven temperatures, and or faster line speeds.
Mar and scuff resistance - The powder coated film's ability to resist the visible mar and scuffing that can happen during transportation, fabrication, onsite during construction and service life when compared to smooth powder coat finishes.
Reaction to fire testing - A powder coated film's performance to industry standard 'reaction-to-fire' tests that have been carried out for the Dulux powder coating ranges in accordance with the Australian and New Zealand building codes.
VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) - Powder coating films produce negligible total VOCs and formaldehyde emissions which is especially important in indoor environments.

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Pre-treatment of Aluminium

Pretreatment Standards

The pre-treatment process should be capable of meeting the performance outputs as described in AS3715.

Compliance to appropriate process parameters is essential in ensuring compliance to etch, conversion coating weights (time/concentration) and conductivity of the final rinse.

Etch

The etch process is a very important stage of pre-treatment and close consultation with your pre-treatment supplier is strongly recommended to ensure optimum adhesion & corrosion resistance is obtained. As an approximate guide:

An etch rate of >1gm/m2, is recommended for Alphatec projects but etch rate advice from pre-treatment suppliers should be taken into consideration.

Conversion Coatings

This is the next pre-treatment process for aluminium to ensure that it is suitably prepared for coating. It is recommended that Chrome conversion weights be a minimum of 431mg/m2, but advice from pre-treatment suppliers should be taken into consideration.

Non Chrome conversion coatings should be applied and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Final Rinse

Final rinse is to ensure optimum surface preparation prior to coating.

Final rinse water run-off from the extrusion is recommended to have a conductivity of less than 80 micro Siemens/cm.
The entire area of the aluminium shall be properly pre-treated, appropriate spacing devices should be used.

Handling

Care should be taken with handling to ensure health and safety measures are met and that the substrate is not contaminated.
Pre-treated aluminium must be handled very carefully with clean lint-free gloves and powder coated within the time specified by the pre-treatment supplier – this is generally within 16 to 48 hours.

Dry Off Oven (if applicable)

If your site uses a dry off oven to assist in the pre-treatment process please ensure:

Post rinse dry off temperature – consult your pre-treatment supplier but generally:
• < 75° C for chrome pre-treatment,
• < 120° C for chrome-free pre-treatment.

Pre-treatment of Steel

PREPARATION FOR STEEL SUBSTRATES:

Wash and degrease all surfaces to be coated in accordance with AS1627.1 with a free-rinsing, neutral/alkaline detergent, in strict accordance with the manufacturer’s written instructions and all safety warnings.
Wash with fresh potable water and ensure that all soluble salts are removed. Testing if required can be done in accordance with AS 3894.6 for the determination of residual contaminants.
Grind all sharp edges with a power tool to a minimum radius of 2mm.
Hand or power tool clean welds to AS1627.2 to remove roughness. Remove filings, preferably by vacuum.
Abrasive blast clean all steel surfaces to be powder coated in accordance with AS 1627.4 to the visual cleanliness standard of SA 2.5.
Use a medium that will generate a surface profile of 35 to 65 microns. In situations where it is not possible to prepare your item on all surfaces as described above, for long term protection against corrosion it is strongly recommended whenever possible, that an alternative substrate such as aluminium be considered.
The steel must be coated within 4 hours of blasting and stored in an area which is clean and dry.

Application Method

Electrostatic Spray

Cure Schedule

Metal Temperature (°C)	Time (minutes)	Comments
210°	8 mins minimum	Metal temperature (Matt products).
200°	10 mins minimum	Metal temperature (Matt products).
190°	15 mins minimum	Metal temperature (Matt products).
210°	4 mins minimum	Metal temperature (Gloss & Satin products).
200°	5 mins minimum	Metal temperature (Gloss & Satin products).
180°	8 mins minimum	Metal temperature (Gloss & Satin products).

1. Geothermal environments greater than 500m of a bore, mud pool, steam vent, or other source with a pH between 5 and 9. For pH outside this consult Dulux.
2. Geothermal hot spots within 500m of a bore, mud pool, steam vent, or other source.
3. All offshore islands including Waiheke, Stewart Island, Fraser Island and Pacific islands eg PNG, Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, Noumea
4. The corrosion rates for the first year of exposure for the different corrosivity categories of Aluminium and Carbon (Mild) Steel are determined by the following standards:
SNZTS 3404:2018 – Standards NZ Technical Specification – Durability requirements for steel structures & components
AS 2312.1:2014 – Guide to the protection of structural steel against atmospheric corrosion by the use of protective coatings. Part 1: Paint coatings
ISO 9223:2012 – Corrosion of metals and alloys – Corrosivity of atmospheres – Classification, determination and estimation
5. The corrosion rates for the first year of exposure for the different corrosivity categories of Aluminium are determined by the following standard:
ISO 9223:2012 – Corrosion of metals and alloys – Corrosivity of atmospheres – Classification, determination and estimation

Project Suitability – Aluminium

The following table can be used to help identify if Alphatec is suitable for your project.

○ Non-warrantable.
1. Alphatec is only suitable for coastal environments >500m from the high tide line.
All Dulux powder products are NOT suitable in strongly acidic or caustic environments, so pH must be between 5 and 9.

Project Suitability – Steel

The following table can be used to help identify if Alphatec is suitable for your project.

○ Non-warrantable.
1. Alphatec is only suitable for coastal environments >500m from the high tide line.
All Dulux powder products are NOT suitable in strongly acidic or caustic environments so pH must be between 5 and 9.

Conditions:

Use the following table which references AS2312.1, SNZTS 3404 and ISO 9223 to identify the environment, conditions and atmospheric corrosivity categories.

Advice Line

Our dedicated consultants can help simplify the specification process, saving you time and money by providing the right coating advice for your project.
Call 0800 800 975

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