In response to advances in aluminum coatings technology, AAMA has raised the peak performance requirement bar for the long-term durability of organic coatings on aluminum extrusions and panels used in high-quality aluminum windows and doors. A new series of performance standards sets forth increasingly stringent performance requirements for, essentially, "good," "better," and "best" grades of factory spray-applied organic coatings. Previous AAMA performance standards covered "good" (AAMA 603) and "better" (high performance) (AAMA 605) grades of coatings. These have been superseded by a new series of three standards:

AAMA 2603 is intended primarily for interior, light commercial and residential-grade coatings of at least 20 microns (0.8 mil) thickness. It provides test methods and acceptance criteria for color uniformity, specular gloss, dry film hardness, film adhesion, impact resistance, chemical resistance, corrosion resistance (under varying conditions of humidity and salt spray exposure) and weathering. A one-year outdoor exposure weathering test in a South Florida environment to verify the degree of checking, crazing, loss of adhesion, chalking and fading is optional.

AAMA 2604 and 2605 are applicable to coatings of at least 30 micron (1.2 mils) thickness intended primarily for commercial and architectural-grade applications. Both utilize the same ASTM test methods and performance criteria to evaluate color uniformity, specular gloss, impact resistance and chemical resistance. Compared to AAMA 2603, they include additional test methods and acceptance criteria for abrasion resistance, chemical resistance and weathering. Weathering tests evaluate color retention, chalk resistance, gloss retention and resistance to erosion after mandatory extended outdoor test exposure in the South Florida environment. AAMA 2604 recognizes high-performance coatings that could involve non-chrome pretreatments, a necessity in some markets where chrome pretreatments are not allowed due to environmental concerns over the use of heavy metals. AAMA 2605 addresses complete coatings systems based on chrome pretreatments (often considered necessary for the best long-term adhesion of the coating to the metal) and superior quality coating formulations. The new specifications will better serve architects, building owners and contractors to select and specify the appropriate level of performance of factory spray-applied organic coatings for different job requirements.

Comparison of Coatings Specifications The following table is based on voluntary specifications developed by the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) and the Architectural Spray Coaters Association (ASCA). The specifications are identified as follows:

AAMA 2603-98, Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for Pigmented Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels

AAMA 2604-98, Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for High Performance Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels

AAMA 2605-98, Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for Superior Performing Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels

ASCA 96, Voluntary Specification for Superior Performance of Organic Coatings on Architectural Aluminum Curtain wall, Extrusions and Miscellaneous Aluminum Components.