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April 14, 2021

Metal Craft News

The Right Shade of Black

Metals are versatile – depending on the material or finish, applicable metalwork and quality control methodologies differ. Being architectural metal construction experts, Kikukawa has the know-how and experience to understand the project requirements and apply the best-suited finish, metalwork, or solution. Whether this is within one project or across many, we will provide the necessary support, services, or consultations necessary from design to installation for the project’s metal construction requirements.

Dark zinc phosphate coated steel panels
Dark zinc phosphate coated steel panels
PHL (Vibration) and black coloured stainless steel panels
PHL (Vibration) and black coloured stainless steel panels

Pictured is a cultural facility that opened in Takasaki-city, Gunma prefecture in 2019. Kikukawa metals were selected for the exterior dark zinc phosphate coated steel panels and the interior black coloured stainless steel panels. While both are black metals, the zinc phosphate coat exudes a naturalistic tone while the coloured stainless steel maximizes the metallic texture of the material.

Both finishes require specific expertise in quality control. Hot-dip galvanized and zinc phosphate coating requires any metalworks to be conducted post finishing. Therefore, thermal distortions from the finishing process need to be considered. Coloured stainless steel panels also require metalworks to be conducted post finishing which limits the metalworks, such as welding, that can be applied. Kikukawa also provides high-quality colour control for both panels by managing the material lot.

Hot-dip galvanized and zinc phosphate coated exterior cut-edge detailed panels
Hot-dip galvanized and zinc phosphate coated exterior cut-edge detailed panels

Exterior panels are crafted from 3.2mm thick steel, with cut-edge details. Typical size being 1m by 3m, the panels are imposing.

Click here to find out more about zinc phosphate coating

Mirror-based, PHL (Vibration) finished black coloured stainless steel
Mirror-based, PHL (Vibration) finished black coloured stainless steel panels
No distortion can be observed from the highly reflective surface
No distortion can be observed from the highly reflective surface

Interior panels within areas such as the elevator halls are lined with mirror-based PHL (vibration) finished black coloured stainless steel. Crafted from 1.5mm thick stainless steel, the bent-edge detailed panels are smooth and flat, as can be observed from its highly reflective surface. The high reflective metallic surface with the 5mm thin joint details contribute to the creation of a sophisticated space.

Regardless of the material or finish, Kikukawa is able to provide consultations for various decorative metals and metal claddings. Please contact our representative for complex projects, feasibility or available finishes.