Engineers often search for metals with a certain look, only to find that the material has drawbacks and restrictions in the manufacturing process. Whether it is a physical forming issue, or material availability, certain materials look great, but remain impractical or too expensive for mass production applications.
Pre-Anodized aluminum can solve many of these problems. Because of the flexible nature of our anodizing capabilities, Lorin can anodize aluminum to match many other materials. This ability gives designers options while taking advantage of the inherent benefits of anodized aluminum.
Brass
Benefits
Abundant supply
Consistent color
Easy formability
Drawbacks
Expensive cost-to-weight ratio
Tarnishes and scratches easily
High maintenance requirements
Requires pre-production cleaning
Lorin Product Alternatives to Brass
GoldBrite
GoldBrite Brushed
GoldMatt
GoldMatt Brushed
Clear Coated Metals
Benefits
Abundant supply
Inexpensive
Maintains natural appearance of metal
Drawbacks
Environmentally unfriendly
Yellows over time
Scratches easily
Chips and cracks easily during forming and fabrication process
Clear coat materials out gas over time
Lorin Product Alternatives to Clear Coated Metals
AlumaPlus
ClearBrite
ClearBrite Brushed
ClearMatt
ClearMatt Brushed
CopperBrite
CopperMatt Brushed
GoldBrite
GoldBrite Brushed
GoldMatt
GoldMatt Brushed
Stainless MF
Titanium
ClearBrite Ultra
GoldBrite Ultra
Copper
Benefits
Attractive color
Easy Formability
Excellent electrical conductor
Drawbacks
Expensive cost-to-weight ratio
Tarnishes and scratches easily
High maintenance requirements
Requires pre-production cleaning
Lorin Product Alternatives to Copper
CopperBrite
CopperMatt
CopperMatt Brushed
CopperBrite Brushed
Metalized plastic
Benefits
Attractive
Light-weight
Inexpensive
Drawbacks
Expensive on a per-part basis
Scratches easily
Limited suppliers
Lorin Product Alternatives to Metalized Plastic
PreMirror 41
ClearBrite Ultra
Painted Metals
Benefits
Wide spectrum of colors available
Material alternatives to meet strength and end-application requirements
Abundant supply
Drawbacks
Expensive cost-to-weight ratio
Scratches easily
Chips and cracks easily during forming and fabricating processes
Different metals require varying tooling
Chalking of paint layer
Out gassing over time
Lorin Product Alternatives to Painted Metals
ColorIn Products
Classic Color Products
AnoGrip
Stainless steel
Benefits
Attractive
High Yield Strength
Durable
Abundant supply
Drawbacks
Expensive cost-to-weight ratio
Fingerprints easily
High maintenance requirements
Limited thin gauges
Requires pre-production cleaning
Lorin Product Alternatives to Stainless Steel
AlumaPlus
AlumaPlus MF
AlumaPlus SL
Stainless LL (Foil Gauge)
Stainless MF (Foil Gauge)
Information Sources & Links
For more information on metals and material options, log on to the sites below:
