15. Surface treatment

The general appearance and surface quality of extruded aluminium profiles are perfectly satisfactory for many applications. Load-bearing structures and parts in mechanical assemblies are typical examples.

Thanks to the good corrosion resistance of aluminium, surface treatment is rarely needed simply to improve corrosion protection. However, there are many other reasons for treating the surfaces of profiles. These include:

• Wear resistance
• Color
• Surface texture
• Electrical insulation
• Ease of cleaning
• Treatment before bonding
• Gloss