How to Select Roller Coated Plates for Different Projects

There is no 'one-size-fits-all' roll coating plate.

Many buyers have a misconception: they believe that the same type of roller-coated sheet can be used for all projects.

Actually , no. Hospitals, hotels, factories, airports... each project has different requirements for the type of sheet material.

First, clarify two key issues.

Before making a selection, you need to answer two questions:

First: Where will the board be used? Indoors or outdoors? Exterior walls or ceilings? Floors or walls? Different locations have completely different requirements for the weather resistance, strength, and surface treatment of the board.

Second: Where is the project located? Coastal or inland? Plateau or plain? Industrial or commercial area? Climate and environment directly affect the lifespan of the boards.

With these two questions answered, the choice becomes clear.

Five common projects, each with different configuration options.

Scenario 1: Hospital, laboratory, food processing plant

The core requirements for this type of space are: smooth surface that does not accumulate dust, resistance to chemical disinfectant wiping, and fire resistance standards met.

Recommended configuration: 3003 aluminum alloy substrate, antibacterial coating or high-gloss polyester coating, mainly flat panel.

Why this combination? Because the surface of a roller-coated plate is much smoother than that of a spray-coated plate, making it less susceptible to bacterial adhesion. The antibacterial coating also inhibits bacterial growth, making it suitable for environments with high hygiene requirements.

Scene 2: Lobby of a hotel, shopping mall, or office building

For these types of projects, appearance is paramount. The client wants: accurate colors, good texture, and no color difference under different lighting conditions.

Recommended configuration: 3003 aluminum alloy base material, fluorocarbon coating (PVDF), with optional wood grain, stone grain or high-gloss metallic color effects.

Fluorocarbon coatings offer the best color retention, lasting up to 20 years without fading, making them suitable for projects requiring long-term aesthetic appeal. Wood grain and stone grain transfer technologies can make aluminum panels resemble wood or stone, but are more durable and easier to maintain than the actual materials.

Scenario 3: Industrial plants and warehouses

These types of projects prioritize cost-effectiveness. The coating doesn't need to be top-of-the-line, but the substrate must be solid.

Recommended configuration: 1060 or 3003 substrate, thickness 0.8-1.2mm, polyester coating (PE).

Polyester coatings have a lifespan of 8-10 years, which is sufficient for standard factory buildings. If the factory is located in a coastal area or a region with severe industrial pollution, it is recommended to upgrade to a fluorocarbon coating.

Scenario 4: Airports, high-speed rail stations, and convention centers

These types of public building projects share common characteristics: large slab surfaces, high requirements for flatness, and the need for fire prevention.

Recommended configuration: 3004 or 5052 high-strength substrate, 1.5-2.0mm thick, fluorocarbon coating.

Larger aluminum sheets are prone to developing 'wavy' patterns. High-strength substrates combined with the inherent smoothness advantage of roller coating can solve this problem.

Scenario 5: Coastal areas, high humidity, industrial corrosive environment

These extreme environments put the most strain on wood-based panels. Ordinary panels might develop problems within three to five years.

Recommended configuration: 5052 aluminum alloy substrate (excellent resistance to seawater corrosion), fluorocarbon coating (PVDF), film thickness ≥25μm. It is recommended to add coating adhesion enhancement treatment.

One table to understand how to choose

Two easily overlooked issues                     Thicker is not necessarily better.

Increasing the thickness of aluminum panels increases both weight and cost. 0.8-1.0mm is sufficient for indoor ceilings, and 1.5-2.0mm is sufficient for outdoor curtain walls. Using thicker panels doesn't necessarily mean better quality; it just means spending more money.

The lighter the color, the more attention should be paid to color difference.

Light colors are most sensitive to color differences. If the project uses white, beige, or light gray, it is recommended to prioritize roller coating and request the supplier to provide a color difference test report (ΔE≤0.5 is preferred).

What can DIXXIN  do for you?

Advantage 1: A complete range of products, all in one place.

DIXXIN offers a full range of substrates from 1060 to 5052, and a complete range of coating solutions from polyester to fluorocarbon. No matter what type of project you are working on, we can provide tailored configuration recommendations.

Advantage 2: Customizable to project environment

provide the most suitable solution based on your project location, usage scenario, and budget .

Advantage 3: A technical team of over 200 people can handle complex requirements.

If your project has special requirements—such as custom colors, special board shapes, or non-standard sizes—DIXXIN technical team can help you achieve them. We follow up on the entire process from design to production.