Many users specify aluminium instead of steel for the weight savings and huge increase in corrosion resistance. However, in many cases the material needs a little extra help from a protective film. We want to have a closer look here to see why it is a good idea. Then, if you want to arrange laminating services with one of the top experts in the UK, you can trust us.
Enhancing the protection
In the right conditions, aluminium can provide a very long service life. This is the case for a wide variety of products, such as cladding and roofing materials, aerospace and automotive parts, and much more. However, there are a number of factors to think about. It can still be vulnerable in some situations.
The most important thing to keep in mind is aluminium naturally has very high corrosion resistance because it develops an oxide film. If the environment overwhelms it though, there can be issues. Additionally, there is still a risk of scratches, dents, stains, and other damage. If you have aluminium with a decorative finish, the damages can ruin it. So, in all of these cases it is worth it to have a protective film to give the material more protection. It can improve corrosion resistance, mechanical wear resistance, and more.
Think about the costs
As we said, aluminium can provide an impressively long service life in many situations. That is often why it is specified and users are willing to pay more to use it. It can even provide lower maintenance costs too.
Choosing laminating services and a quality protective film can provide even more cost savings. While it is an additional investment, it can pay off in a big way. If improves the lifespan of materials, even in challenging environments. This reduces the need to pay for repairs, maintenance, and replacements.
The environment
Aluminium is a great material if you look closely at the environmental side of things. It’s highly recyclable, so a large volume goes on to become new products in the future. This is far better than relying on mining and producing virgin material.
A protective film coating is a big advantage in a green sense too. It makes the material last longer, meaning you get a longer service life for the carbon footprint. Choosing the right films helps here too because they are easy to remove for recycling and some plastics are recyclable themselves.
Are there any cons to consider?
When you think about laminating services, generally the only potential cons are the cost and ability to remove the films in the future. Luckily, both generally aren’t an issue with aluminium.
What to choose?
If you do commit to using protective film on aluminium, you need to decide what to use. There are typically three options; polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyurethane. What you need to think about here is the level of protection you need. The latter is generally best for industrial applications.
Talk to us about laminating services for different materials
Protective laminate is a great investment for a huge array of products. We’re proud to work with it, offering solutions for a variety of materials. Crucially, we can apply film to aluminium if you need it. Calling on our massive pool of experience and high quality equipment, we provide exceptional lamination with no flaws.
So, if you want to arrange laminating services, speak to us. We can advise you about any applications, including different aluminium products.