First, high-quality substrates are used, with increasingly stringent requirements for surface finish, shape, and dimensional accuracy. Outdoor applications include small-spangle hot-dip galvanized steel coils, spangle-free hot-dip galvanized steel coils, and the currently emerging zinc alloy hot-dip galvanized coils; indoor applications include electro-galvanized steel coils, film-coated cold-rolled sheets, and aluminum coils.
Second, pretreatment processes and solutions are being improved. Fewer equipment and lower costs are becoming the mainstream processes, with continuous improvements to the stability, corrosion resistance, and environmental performance of pretreatment solutions.
Third, emphasis is placed on the development of new coatings. Modifications are being made to common polyesters, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and plastisol to achieve superior color reproducibility, UV resistance, sulfur dioxide resistance, and improved corrosion resistance. Functional coatings with stain resistance and heat absorption properties are also being developed.
Fourth, equipment is becoming more sophisticated. This includes the use of new welding machines, new roller coating machines, improved curing ovens, and advanced automated instrumentation.
Fifth, cold embossing is less expensive than hot embossing and has the advantages of being aesthetically pleasing, having a three-dimensional effect, and being strong, making cold embossing production technology a development trend.