Bonnell Switches to Acid Etch Anodizing
Bonnell Aluminum, a Newnan, Ga.-based aluminum extrusion supplier to the nonresidential building and construction market, has announced it will convert all of its existing anodizing product lines to an acidetched process. According to company officials, new class one and two, clear, bronze, and black finish, acid etched anodic coatings offer improved characteristics for finish consistency compared to typical anodizing. The company will invest approximately $1.1 million into the transition and officials say it will begin offering acid etched anodic coatings April 1, 2009.

“Manufacturers and installers of curtainwall components, storefronts, automatic entry doors, walkway covers, and other anodized building and construction applications will immediately recognize the benefits of this superior finish,” said Ira Endres, Bonnell’s director of sales and marketing. 

“While meeting and exceeding all AAMA 611 specifications for anodizing, the acid etch anodic process is far better in hiding extrusion surface imperfections than caustic etch anodizing. It virtually eliminates the appearance of visual streaks and die lines while providing a superior uniform matte finish.” 

Bonnell officials also report the new process is expected to be more environmentally friendly and greener than the conventional caustic etch process. The acid etch process requires less etching time, which is expected to reduce waste sludge disposal by as much as 90 percent. The process also enables the use of a higher percent of recycled content in extrusion billet.

“2009 will be a year building significant opportunities for architects, designers, and engineers,” Endres says. “Not only will Bonnell have the press range the commercial architectural market has desired for many years, we will also be supplying anodized finishes that are more environmentally friendly.” www.bonlalum.com  

Guardian Announces SunGuard® CrystalGray™ 
SunGuard® architectural glass by Guardian Industries in Auburn Hills, Mich., now offers five new performance and appearance glass options by combining its CrystalGray™ float glass with the latest SunGuard coatings. 

The company reports that its SunGuard CrystalGray achieves a more neutral appearance than typical gray and blue tinted float glass, reduces outdoor reflectance and glare and lowers the solar heat gain coefficient by 20 percent when compared to coatings on clear glass. The product can also meet design and LEED credit requirements. www.sunguardglass.com  

TRACO Adds Casement Series to NX Architectural Aluminum Line 
TRACO in Cranberry Township, Pa., has added the NX-3000 casement series of products to the NX Architectural line of products that yield energy efficiency values not previously available in architectural aluminum doors and windows. This new product series features a 3 ¼-inch frame in various styles including casement, projected and fixed units, with 1-inch insulating glass and white bronze cam handles. The NX products feature performance ratings of 0.42 U-value, 15 psf water, 0.1 cfm/sf air and 0.27 solar heat gain coefficient.

The NX-3000 series is enhanced with the NEXGEN Thermal Barrier System™ and NEXGEN Energy Spacer™. www.traco.com 

Architects' Guide to Glass & Metal
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