Material Matters: Powder-coated Aluminum
In the world of spas and bathtubs, plastic, whether fibreglass or acrylic, is now more-or-less the norm. The advantages of plastic are clear: it’s economical, infinitely moldable and relatively light weight. It works very well in high volume production environments, when minimization of labour and material costs are core concerns. That said, I think most would agree that plastic is generally a compromise.
In designing the Eureka Cold Water Immersion Tub, our primary consideration was “what are the best materials for the purpose?” And for the tub body, what material will offer us the best combination of durability, practicality and aesthetics, without being too heavy.” With our experience in and love of boating, the answer was clear: aluminum would be the right material.
Aluminum is refined from the ore bauxite and it is silvery-white in appearance. It has properties which make it excellent for practical applications that require an excellent strength-to-weight ratio, ductility and natural corrosion resistance. It is about one-third the weight of steel, is easily welded and formed, and it takes coatings, such as powder-coating well. We use marine-grade aluminum in the Eureka Cold Water Immersion Tub and at ⅛”, it’s thickness is what you’d typically use to build small fishing boats or other products where durability is key.
Powder-coating is a natural match for aluminum. Unlike paint, it is applied electro-statically then baked in an oven which melts the powder, causes it to flow together and finally cures it in a very even coat. It’s a proven, long-term finish with much more resistance to impact, moisture, chemicals, and extreme weather than most liquid coatings of similar thickness as well as superior protection against scratches, chipping, abrasions, corrosion, fading, and general wear. Also, we use exterior-grade powder, which is UV-resistant and will stand up to the harshest environments. And because powder-coating does not rely on solvents as a suspension vehicle, it emits almost no VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) at any stage of the process.
With the powder-coated aluminum body, we are confident that we have chosen the best combination of materials to provide you with a beautiful, functional cold water immersion tub that will stand up to the rigours of daily use and keep you getting cold, for years to come.