As a supplier specializing in brushed anodized aluminum sheet manufacturing, we understand that brushed anodized aluminum is highly favored globally in various fields such as architectural decoration, electronic equipment, and automotive parts due to its delicate texture, excellent weather resistance, and rich color expression. The combination of brushing and anodizing technology not only gives aluminum sheets their original metallic texture but also meets diverse design needs through precise color control.
The perfect combination of brushing and anodizing technology endows aluminum sheets with a unique texture. The brushing process gives the aluminum sheet its original metallic feel, while the anodizing process is crucial. During anodizing, a porous oxide film is formed on the aluminum sheet surface through electrolysis. Then, the adsorption properties of the oxide film are used to introduce metal salts or organic dyes. Finally, after sealing, the color is permanently fixed to the aluminum sheet. The color advantages brought by this process are significant, on the one hand, the color adheres tightly to the substrate, like “skin” growing on the brushed anodized aluminum sheet, making it resistant to fading and peeling, and exhibiting excellent resistance to abrasion and ultraviolet radiation. On the other hand, the color uniformity is extremely high. Color differences within the same batch of products can be controlled within the stringent standard of ΔE≤1.5, which is crucial for large-scale batch applications, ensuring consistent and aesthetically pleasing product appearance. Furthermore, the combination of brushed texture and color creates a wonderful interplay of light and shadow. Lighter colors accentuate the fineness of the texture, while darker colors give it a subtle matte finish.
Based on global market demand and industry application practices, we have categorized brushed anodized aluminum colors into two main types: basic colors and metallic colors, each with its unique characteristics.
Basic colors:
Basic colors primarily use organic dyes or natural oxide colors without added metal ions. The colors are stable, the cost is relatively controllable, and market demand is substantial.
Natural color:
This is the natural color of the aluminum sheet after anodizing, exhibiting a light off-white or slightly silvery-gray metallic luster, with clearly visible brushed texture. Its biggest advantage is that it retains the original texture of aluminum, making it easy to pair with various materials. Its applications range from electronic device casings, such as laptop and mobile phone frames, to furniture hardware and neutral-toned architectural decorations. Its oxide film thickness is typically 10-15μm, and it can withstand over 500 hours of salt spray testing, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, offering exceptional versatility.
Black color:
Black is available in two finishes: matte black and glossy black, achieved by adding nickel or cobalt salt dyes. Matte black brushed aluminum sheets have a surface gloss of ≤10°, a soft, non-reflective texture, and a sophisticated feel, commonly used in high-end home appliance panels, automotive interiors, and museum exhibits. Glossy black has a gloss of ≥80°, a strong metallic texture, and is popular in KTVs, hotels, and other settings with high decorative requirements. Notably, our high-wear-resistant black series, through optimized sealing processes, achieves a surface hardness of HV300, making it ideal for high-touch surfaces like door handles and elevator panels.
White color:
Utilizing high-purity organic white dyes and undergoing multiple sealing processes, it effectively prevents yellowing. Brushed white aluminum sheets offer a clean and simple visual appeal, making them a core material for modern minimalist styles. They are widely used in hospital wall decoration, food processing equipment housings, and smart home panels. Their weather resistance has been enhanced; after 6000 hours of outdoor exposure, the color retention rate remains above 95%, breaking through the application limitations of traditional white aluminum products.
Metallic colors:
Metallic colors:
By introducing metal ions, such as gold, silver, copper, and titanium, into the oxide film, metallic aluminum panels achieve a luster similar to precious metals. This eliminates the need for additional electroplating, making it both environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
Silver color:
This is the metallic color closest to the natural color of aluminum. By adjusting the oxide film thickness (15-20μm), reflectivity is enhanced, and the brushed texture presents a delicate satin feel. Compared to the natural color, silver has a more modern feel and is often used in high-end building curtain walls, elevator door frames, and electronic device bezel decoration. Furthermore, its conductivity is superior to other colors, and some models can even meet the electromagnetic shielding requirements of communication equipment housings.
Gold color:
Gold is further subdivided into champagne gold, rose gold, and bronze gold. Champagne gold brushed aluminum sheets have a soft tone, suitable for hotel lobbies and high-end office building decoration; rose gold combines metallic feel with softness, making it a popular choice for jewelry display cases and wedding photography backdrops; bronze gold uses a special oxidation process to simulate the texture of vintage bronze and is often used in the restoration and decoration of museums and historical buildings. This color series can withstand 800 hours of salt spray testing, exhibiting better corrosion resistance than ordinary metal plating.
Titanium gold color:
A high-end metallic color introduced with titanium ions, exhibiting a cool metallic luster and a hardness of up to HV350, with outstanding wear resistance. Brushed titanium gold aluminum sheet are commonly used in aerospace parts, high-end kitchenware, and outdoor signage. Its color stability remains unchanged in high-temperature environments ranging from -40℃ to 120℃, making it ideal for outdoor applications in extreme climates.
For clients with special design needs, we offer full-color customization services. Based on the internationally recognized Pantone color chart or customer-provided samples, we first use a spectrophotometer to detect the color value (Lab* value) of the target color and establish a color database. Then, we match the corresponding dye type and concentration according to the color value, and adjust the oxidation time based on the coarseness of the brushed texture (commonly 120#, 240#, and 400# grit). Finally, we produce 3-5 small samples for customer testing to confirm the color, texture, and performance indicators before proceeding with mass production.
To ensure that the color of brushed anodized aluminum sheet perfectly matches the application scenario, we suggest considering three dimensions: environmental adaptability, functional requirements, and design style.
Environmental adaptability:
For outdoor applications, prioritize UV- and salt-spray resistant colors, such as titanium gold and matte black, with an oxide film thickness ≥20μm. For humid indoor environments like bathrooms and kitchens, choose tightly sealed white or silver to prevent mold growth.
Functional requirements:
Electronic device casings should consider color conductivity, prioritizing silver or natural colors. For high-frequency contact applications, such as door handles and countertops, choose high-hardness colors like black and titanium gold. For food-grade applications, choose FDA-compliant colors free of heavy metal dyes, such as natural colors and food-grade white.
Design style:
Minimalist styles suit light colors like natural and white. High-end luxury styles can choose gold or titanium gold. Industrial styles recommend dark colors like black and dark gray; brushed textures are best paired with a coarse grit (120#) to enhance the feel.
As a professional brushed anodized aluminum sheet exporter, we have established a comprehensive control system from raw materials to finished products: We select high-purity aluminum with a purity of ≥99.7% to ensure uniform oxidation; we use imported German dyes and fully automated anodizing production lines to achieve precise color control; each batch of products undergoes testing with spectrophotometers, salt spray testers, and abrasion resistance testers, providing complete quality inspection reports. We can provide color samples, performance parameters, and application case studies based on your specific needs. For further information, please feel free to contact our technical team.