ALUMINUM ASSOCIATION DESIGNATION SYSTEM
For
ALUMINUM FINISHES
The Aluminum Association Designation System divides finishes for aluminum into three major categories:
- Mechanical Finishes (M)
- Chemical Finishes (C)
- Coatings
The Coatings category is subdivided into:
- Anodic Coatings (A)
- Resinous and Other Organic Coatings (R)
- Vitreous Coatings (V)
- Electroplated and Other Metallic Coatings (E)
- Laminated Coatings (L).
Each category and subcategory is designated by a letter. Only designations pertaining to pretreatment and anodizing are detailed in this reference. The various types of anodized finishes are designated by the letter "A" followed by a two-digit number to call out the specific anodic finish. Finishes designations may be used singly or in conjunction with other designations to specify a complete finishing system. When designations for the anodic coating are used alone, the pretreatment is usually left up to the processor to determine best fit for the product and its end use.
Example of a typical finishing designation for an interior architectural panel might be:
- AA-M42C21A34
- AA Aluminum Association Designation
- M42 Fine matte, nondirectional textured mechanical finish
- C21 Fine matte chemical etch
- A34 Architectural Class II anodize, electrolytically colored.
- Note: The finisher and customer will determine, by sampling or discussion, exactly what process constitutes the M42 and C21 finishes.
Example of a typical finishing designation for automotive trim could be:
- AA-M11C11C31A21
- AA - Aluminum Association
- M11 - As fabricated specular
- C11 - Degreased, nonetched cleaned.
- C31 - Highly specular chemical brightening
- A21 - Protective and decorative clear anodic coating less then 0.4 mil thick
The following lists do not contain every designation in the Aluminum Association's system. Publication 45 is updated periodically; the complete current edition is available through the Aluminum Association.
MECHANICAL FINISHES ( M )
The mechanical finishes are broken down into four groups.
As Fabricated
- M10 - Unspecified
- M11 - Specular as fabricated
- M12 - Nonspecular as fabricated
- M1X - Other (to be specified)
Buffed
- M20 - Unspecified
- M21 - Smooth specular
- M22 - Specular
- M2X - Other (to be specified)
Directional Textured
- M30 - Unspecified
- M31 - Fine satin
- M32 - Medium satin
- M33 - Coarse satin
- M34 - Hand rubbed
- M35 - Brushed
- M3X - Other (to be specified)
Nondirectional Textured
- M40 - Unspecified
- M41 - Extra fine matte
- M42 - Fine matte
- M43 - Medium matte
- M44 - Coarse matte
- M45 - Fine shot blast
- M46 - Medium shot blast
- M47 - Coarse shot blast
- M4X - Other (to be specified)
CHEMICAL FINISHES (C)
Nonetched Cleaned
- C10 - Unspecified
- C11 - Degreased
- C12 - Inhibited chemical cleaned
- C1X - Other (to be specified)
Etched
- C20 - Unspecified
- C21 - Fine matte
- C22 - Medium matte
- C23 - Coarse matte
- C2X - Other (to be specified)
Brightened
- C30 - Unspecified
- C31 - Highly specular
- C32 - Diffuse bright
- C3X - Other (to be specified)
Chemical Conversion Coatings (Note: These processes are not followed by anodizing.)
- C40 - Unspecified
- C41 - Acid chromate-fluoride
- C42 - Acid chromate-fluoride-phosphate
- C43 - Alkaline chromate
- C4X - Other (to be specified)
ANODIC COATINGS (A)
General
- A10 - Unspecified
- A11 - Preparation for other applied coatings
- A12 - Chromic acid anodic coatings
- A13 - Hard, wear- and abrasion-resistant coatings
- A1X - Other (to be specified)
Protective and Decorative (Coatings less than 0.4 mil thick)
- A21 - Clear - Coating thickness to be specified.
- A22 - Integral color - Coating thickness to be specified. Color dependent on alloy and processing conditions.
- A23 - Impregnated color - Coating thickness to be specified.
- A24 - Electrolytically deposited - Coating thickness to be specified.
- A2X - Other (to be specified)
Architectural Class II (0.4 to 0.7 mil coating)
- A31 - Clear Coating
- A32 - Integral color
- A33 - Electrolytically deposited color
- A3X - Other (to be specified)
Architectural Class I (0.7 mil and thicker anodic coatings)
- A41 - Clear
- A42 - Integral color
- A43 - Impregnated color
- A44 - Electrolytically deposited color
- A4X - Other (to be specified)
