AAMA Releases Updated Specification for Anodized Aluminum

The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) of Schaumburg, Ill., has published the AAMA 611-12, Voluntary Specification for Anodized Architectural Aluminum. The specification describes test procedures and requirements for high-performance (Class I) and commercial (Class II) architectural quality aluminum oxide coatings applied to aluminum extrusions and panels for architectural products. The specification also covers anodized finishes produced in batch or continuous coil.

"Updated from the 1998 version, AAMA 611-12 includes clarification of visual inspection language regarding surface imperfections and addition of coating observation and angle inspection," says Andy Joswiak, chair of the AAMA Anodic Finishes (AAMA 611) Task Group. "Also, the updated specification contains additions and clarifications of finishes to the applicable Aluminum Association Designation System for Aluminum Finishes for pretreatments and finishes."

AAMA 611-12 references industry standards that include AAMA 609 and 610-09, Cleaning and Maintenance Guide for Architecturally Finished Aluminum, AAMA 800-10, Voluntary Specifications and Test Methods for Sealants and ASTM B137-95 (2009), Standard Test Method for Measurement of Coating Mass per Unit Area on Anodically Coated Aluminum.