The creation of Decro wood effect profiles involves a sophisticated five-step process that transforms raw aluminium into durable, wood-like materials through advanced coating and pattern transfer technologies.
Manufacturing Process
1. Base Profile Creation
- Low-CO2 aluminium billets are heated and extruded through specialized dies
- The resulting profiles are cooled and stretched to ensure proper alignment
- Profiles are precision-trimmed to specification
- Processed profiles are transferred to the initial coating line
2. Surface Preparation and Base Coating
- Profiles undergo comprehensive cleaning and degreasing
- A base powder coat layer is applied
- This layer serves as the foundation for the wood effect transformation
3. Pattern Application
- Each profile is individually hand-wrapped with a specialised carrier film
- The film contains the desired wood effect pattern (available options include oak, pine, maple, teak and many more)
- Vacuum technology ensures tight adherence to the profile surface
- Technicians manually smooth out any wrinkles to ensure perfect pattern transfer
4. Heat Transfer Process
- Wrapped profiles enter a high-temperature industrial oven
- Heat activation triggers the pattern transfer process
- The wood pattern transfers from the carrier film into the base powder coat
- Unique permeation technology ensures pattern penetration to the base metal
- This deep penetration ensures a long-lasting quality finish
5. Final Processing
- Profiles are removed from the oven and allowed to cool naturally
- Carrier film is removed to reveal the finished surface
Product Benefits
Decro wood effect profiles offer a revolutionary solution for the signage industry, combining the timeless appeal of wood with modern material advantages.
Performance Characteristics
- Consistent weight and dimensional stability
- Resistance to degradation, warping, and rot
- Superior durability compared to natural wood
- Minimal maintenance requirements
Commercial Advantages
- Achieves traditional wood aesthetics without associated maintenance costs
- Easy to machine and fabricate
- Cost-effective alternative to natural timber signage
- Quick turnaround times on standard stocked profiles
- Meets demanding project deadlines
- Reduced long-term maintenance schedules
- Lower lifetime cost of ownership
Applications in the sign industry
Primarily used in the sign industry where the following characteristics are desired:
- Traditional wood appearance
- Long-term durability
- Low maintenance requirements
- Cost-effectiveness
- Quick installation timeframes
Summary
Decro wood effect profiles represent a significant advancement in signage materials, offering the aesthetic appeal of natural wood combined with the durability and low maintenance requirements of aluminium. The sophisticated manufacturing process ensures a high-quality, long-lasting finish that meets both aesthetic and practical requirements for modern signage applications.
Looking to incorporate Decro in your next sign project? Take a look at the standard stock Decro profiles available for 1-2 day despatch, Or get in touch with one of the sales team.