Why is Qualanod an important standard for anodised aluminium?

Anodising aluminium is a complex process which can deliver variable results if the manufacturer is inexperienced or the process is uncontrolled. Qualanod has become a global standard for anodised aluminium finishes because it takes that variable process and standardises it.

The Qualanod standards ensure anodised aluminium is produced to a quality that is:

• Measurable
• Independently inspected
• In line with international quality systems such as ISO 7599

Suppliers with an up to date Qualanod license guarantee anodised aluminium finishes which are reliable, predictable and of superior quality.

At United Anodisers, we meet and exceed Qualanod standards.

Qualanod defines measurable quality for anodised aluminium

There are a range of different chemical processes, operational methods and product specifications which can all be technically classed as anodising. This gives potential for variation in film thickness, colour quality and durability – factors which may not be apparent at the specification stage but will become obvious defects in the future.

The Qualanod standards address this potential issue by setting strict, clear performance requirement for suppliers such as United Anodisers to meet. Rather than relying on a manufacturer claiming their product is of the highest quality, customers can instead check their Qualanod testing results in areas such as:

• Visible appearance
• Colour brightness and consistency
• Anodic film thickness
• Sealant quality
• Corrosion and abrasion resistance
• In-house process quality controls

This makes it easier to specify an anodised aluminium finish for a building façade, rainscreen cladding or any other product with confidence that it will perform as intended.

Independent testing and monitoring to maintain trust

The second reason Qualanod has become an important standard for anodised aluminium is that every licensee has to pass stringent inspections. These inspections apply to both the product and the production facility.

• The product is inspected at least twice a year
• The plant is inspected at least once every two years

Inspections are unannounced and independent, carried out by a network of trusted inspectors. The standards are the same around the world, and the regularity of inspections means you can be confident a provider has not simply got lucky and passed a single test.

Every Qualanod licensee needs to maintain high standards consistently or it will show up in the inspection data, and their license may be revoked by the organisation. For a company like United Anodisers which has maintained a Qualanod license for 50 years, this means you can rest assured that:

• Our standards of production and products have never fallen
• We have kept up with the latest technological innovations in the sector
• We have evolved our processes to meet every regulation change

In fact, we exceed the base Qualanod standards to provide an even higher level of quality.

Qualanod performance standards are designed for the long term

One of the most important reasons Qualanod is considered a global standard for anodising is performance standards focussed on long-term quality.

Anodised aluminium is often specified to be in place for many years, or even decades in the case of building façades. That means it needs to be able to stand up to:

• UV
• Wind
• Rain
• Pollution
• Marine environments
• Heat
• Cold

…and other similar conditions without failing. With that in mind, it makes sense that Qualanod only licenses products which meet strict durability standards in areas such as film thickness, corrosion, abrasion, thermal craze and more.

When done right, anodised aluminium can last for decades and still look as good as new with only minimal maintenance and cleaning required. There are anodised façades in the United Anodisers portfolio which are still going strong 60 years after their initial installation – in some cases they have outlasted the buildings themselves!

That long-term quality guarantee is vital for architects, developers and anyone else who wants their project to stand the test of time.

How to specify Qualanod licensed anodised aluminium effectively on your next project

Choosing a Qualanod licensed anodiser like United Anodisers guarantees that you will receive the highest quality anodised aluminium finishes anywhere in the world.

However, it’s not as simple as just finding your nearest Qualanod licensee. You still need to make sure the colour, texture and pattern are the right fit for your project – and for that, you need expert advice.

Contact the United Anodisers team today to get free advice, specification help and a free sample of our Qualanod approved anodised aluminium.