Rieger’s Expertise in Aluminum

Aluminum is lightweight, versatile, and has become indispensable in many technical applications. Whether in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, enclosure design, or measurement and control technology, this material offers many advantages—but at the same time places special demands on surface finishing. After all, not all aluminum is the same. The alloy, material condition, component geometry, pretreatment, and subsequent stress significantly influence which surface finish is technically appropriate.

This is exactly where RIXAL® comes in.

RIXAL® is Rieger Metallveredlung’s premium brand for high-quality aluminum surfaces. The name stands for Rieger × Aluminum and embodies our knowledge, experience, and specially developed technologies in the field of aluminum finishing.

More than just a procedure

RIXAL® is not a single coating process.

Rather, RIXAL® represents a field of expertise that brings together materials science, consulting, process engineering, and development work. The focus is not on which process is available, but on which surface is best suited for the specific application.

Which aluminum alloy is used?
What function should the interface serve?
Is corrosion protection needed?
Are you looking for wear resistance, electrical conductivity, EMC shielding, or long-term durability in outdoor applications?

The right surface can only be achieved when these requirements are considered together.

Why Aluminum Requires Specialized Expertise

Aluminum immediately forms a natural oxide layer when exposed to air. This layer protects the material but can also make coating it more difficult. In addition, different aluminum alloys can react very differently to pretreatment and coating.

That is why aluminum requires specialized expertise in surface treatment.

A standard process is often insufficient when components are intended to function reliably over the long term, meet technical specifications, or be used under demanding conditions. The interplay between the material, the surface, and the application is crucial.

RIXAL® showcases precisely this expertise.

Technologies within RIXAL®

Under the RIXAL® brand, Rieger offers a range of processes and coating systems for aluminum. These include both traditional processes and specially developed technologies.

Anodizing

Anodizing is a proven anodic process for finishing aluminum. It creates an oxide layer that is firmly bonded to the base material. Anodized surfaces can provide corrosion protection, wear resistance, and serve technical or decorative purposes.

Typical applications include housings, front panels, heat sinks, and technical aluminum components.

NICAL®

NICAL® enables the direct nickel plating of aluminum as a base for further functional coating systems. The process creates a durable foundation for nickel and subsequent electroplated layers.

Typical applications include EMC enclosures, electronic enclosures, RF components, and aluminum parts that require conductivity or shielding.

RICAL

RICAL refers to the direct nickel plating of aluminum to form a standalone functional layer. Unlike NICAL®, RICAL is not primarily used as an intermediate step, but rather as a final technical surface finish.

This process is suitable for aluminum components that require a robust, functional surface—such as those used in mechanical engineering, enclosure design, or functional parts subject to mechanical stress.

GALVANOX

GALVANOX combines the advantages of anodizing and nickel plating in a coordinated coating system. This allows anodic and metallic surface properties to be combined. The process is suitable for aluminum components that must meet multiple requirements simultaneously—such as protection, functionality, and technical durability.

DUOXAL

DUOXAL is a multi-layer system based on a double anodized layer. It was developed for applications in which aluminum components are exposed to particularly harsh environmental conditions.

Typical examples include outdoor control enclosures, weather station enclosures, sensor enclosures, and components used in measurement and control technology.

Development Based on Real-World Experience

At Rieger, new processes are not developed for their own sake. They arise from specific tasks: from customer requirements, material issues, technical challenges, and the commitment to developing surface solutions that work in real-world applications. That is why RIXAL® also stands for research and development. This includes the evaluation of materials, the development of suitable coating systems, testing, sampling, process adjustments, and development projects.

In this way, experience and technical curiosity give rise to a problem-solving capability that goes beyond traditional process overviews.

Finding the right finish starts with a consultation

For aluminum components, the choice of surface finish is a technical decision. It should not be based solely on which process is technically feasible, but rather on what the component will need to perform later on. Corrosion, wear, electrical performance, weathering, temperature cycling, geometry, or subsequent coatings: Each requirement influences the choice of the appropriate coating system.

RIXAL® draws on the aluminum expertise of Rieger Metallveredlung to make an informed decision on precisely this matter.

Conclusion

RIXAL® stands for aluminum surfaces with a systematic approach.

The brand combines an understanding of materials, development expertise, and specialized technologies for high-performance aluminum components. As a result, RIXAL® is not viewed as a single process, but rather as a center of expertise for aluminum surfaces.

That’s because aluminum requires more than just a standard coating.

It takes experience, expert advice, and an interface that’s right for the application.