Technical INfo

Materials and Certifications: Your Trusted Quality Source

GTO Materials & Certifications

Our products have passed Dade Country testing for TAS201, TAS202, and TAS203, and waiting for final approval from Dade county. Our products feature 6063-T5 aluminum, non-combustible, Class A fire rating, and electrostatic powder coating.

Quality Certification Compliance

Miami Dade

Passed the rigorous NOA testing, ensuring exceptional quality and reliability.

Qualimarine & Seaside Class Certifications

The Qualimarine and Seaside Class certifications, both offered by Qualicoat, are related to the durability of powder coatings in marine or coastal environments, but they have distinct standards and geographical implications.

Qualimarine is a quality label designed specifically for aluminum profiles and accessories used in marine and coastal environments. It requires rigorous testing of powder coatings to ensure their ability to withstand harsh conditions without significant deterioration.

In contrast, the Seaside Class, introduced by Qualicoat in 2008, emphasizes the pre-treatment of aluminum extrusions before powder coating. This involves a more intensive preparation process, including deeper acid or a combination of acid and alkaline etching, reaching a depth of 2 g/m2 (in comparison to the standard 1 g/m2). This is followed by a conversion layer that seals the aluminum surface, providing enhanced protection against corrosion. Notably, the Seaside Class exceeds the standards set by the British Standard and European Norm 12206-1:2004, and is suitable for aluminum used within 5 kilometers of coastal or tidal estuaries.

The primary distinction between the two lies in the pre-treatment process. The Seaside Class mandates a more thorough etching, offering superior substrate protection and improved adhesion for the powder coating. This level of treatment is essential in environments with high exposure to corrosive elements.

UV Exposure and QUV Testing

Our products have undergone and passed rigorous testing in a solar box for 3,000 to 4,000 hours, which is equivalent to 20 years in regular weather conditions. This testing process, involving UV exposure and QUV testing, is essential to determine the durability of a powder coating when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. UV radiation, particularly from sunlight, can gradually degrade coatings, causing issues like fading, chalking, cracking, or other forms of deterioration over time.

During the QUV test, an abbreviation for “QUV accelerated weathering tester,” samples are exposed to UV radiation inside a machine designed to simulate the effects of sunlight. This simulation often includes moisture, either through condensation or water sprays, to replicate natural weathering conditions. The test allows for the adjustment of UV light intensity and the cycling between wet and dry conditions to mimic various climates and solar radiation levels.

These test cycles, which can last from several days to weeks, provide accelerated results. They offer predictions on how the coating will endure over months or even years in outdoor environments. After testing, the samples are evaluated for any changes in color, gloss retention, surface integrity, and other properties, in comparison to samples that were not exposed. Such testing is vital for products destined for sun-exposed settings, ensuring that the powder coating retains its aesthetic appeal and protective properties throughout its intended lifespan.

Alloy Aluminum Extrusion Certifications

ISO 9001 2015: Quality Management System

ISO 14001:2015 - Environmental Management System

ISO 45001:2018 - Occupational Health & Safety Management System

ISO 50001:2018 - Energy Management System

Powder Coating with Sublimation

Sublimation & Unique Custom Color Process

The sublimation or transfer technology consists of transferring an image previously printed on a specific
film, to the aluminum profiles.
Powder paints used as sublimation bases can be formulated with polyester or polyurethane resins.
They must have both the ability to resist the sublimation temperature (190-200 °C) and to adequately absorbs the inks transferred by the film.

Powder Coating Certifications

USA

Q-SUN XE-3 HS – passed the Accelerated weathering test by SUBLITEX.

European Standards / EU standards

EN 515, EN 573-3, EN 755-2, EN 755-9, EN 12020-2

QUALICOAT

Quality Mark of Electrostatic Coating of Aluminum Surface according to the QUALICOAT Specification
Quality Label for Powder Coated Aluminum Surfaces according to QUALICOAT Specification
Decoration Quality Mark (Sub-color) Electrostatically Painted Aluminum Surface according to QUALIDECO specification
Quality Label for Decoration (Sublimation) of Powder Coated Aluminum Surfaces according to QUALIDECO Specification QUALIMARINE
Quality Mark for Electrostatic Painting of Aluminum Surface according to the French QUALIMARINE specification
Quality Label for Powder Coated Aluminum Surfaces according to the French QUALIMARINE Specifications QUALANOD
Quality Label for Anodized Aluminum Surface actor to to QUALANOD Specification