[Polyurethane Screen] for Modern Facades and Feature Walls

If you work in architectural metals, you’ve probably heard designers tossing this term around. Strictly speaking, the core of this product is high-grade stainless steel (304/316), finished via photochemical etching and then optionally color coated with a durable PU topcoat. That’s why many customers still call it a Polyurethane Screen—the polymer finish unlocks color, longevity, and weatherability without losing the crisp metal detail. Origin matters too: this line is produced in the East Development Zone, Anping County, Hengshui City, Hebei Province—an area that’s practically synonymous with precision screen manufacturing.

What’s trending (and why it matters)

Three shifts I keep seeing: tighter tolerances via photochemical etching, bolder pattern libraries (geometric to organic), and a tilt toward PU color coats for UV-stable facades. In hospitality and retail fit‑outs, designers want signature visuals that survive cleaning chemicals and urban grime. Honestly, the days of flimsy punched sheets are fading; etched stainless with PU seems to hit that sweet spot of finesse and durability.

Product specifications

Substrate	304/316 Stainless Steel (ASTM A240)
Process	Photochemical Etching Technology
Thickness	0.1–2.0 mm (±0.02 mm)
Finish	Satin / Mirror / Color Coated (PU)
Patterns	Customizable: geometric, organic, digital motifs
Typical Panel Size	Up to ≈1200 × 2400 mm (real-world use may vary)
Applications	Architectural cladding, decorative partitions, ceilings, retail fixtures

Process flow and quality checkpoints

1. Material prep: 304/316 SS sheets inspected (ASTM A240 traceability).
2. Masking & imaging: photoresist application, UV exposure, precise pattern imaging.
3. Etching: controlled chemistry for clean edges and consistent apertures.
4. Rinse & passivation: corrosion resistance stabilized (per best practice).
5. Finishing: satin/mirror polish; optional PU color coat for UV and abrasion.
6. Testing: adhesion (ASTM D3359), salt spray (ASTM B117 / ISO 9227), abrasion (DIN 53516).

Typical field numbers we’ve seen: adhesion 5B, salt spray 480 h no red rust on SS substrate, abrasion loss ≈120–150 mm³. Service life outdoors: around 8–12 years in urban coastal settings; longer inland. To be honest, microclimates can move the needle.

Where a Polyurethane Screen shines

• Facade accents and rainscreen features needing sharp, repeatable detail.
• Interior feature walls and brand signage in malls or airports.
• Ceiling rafts where weight and acoustic transparency matter.
• Retail fixtures that take fingerprints, cleaners, and constant touch.

Advantages: design freedom, tight tolerances, fast repeat orders, and—surprisingly—easier maintenance than many powder-coated perforations.

Vendor landscape (quick take)

Vendor	Process Capability	Tolerance	Lead Time	Certs	Notes
TOMAI (Anping, Hebei)	Photochemical etch + PU coat	±0.02 mm	2–4 weeks	ISO 9001 (on request)	Strong custom patterns
Vendor A (Regional)	Perforation + spray coat	≈±0.10 mm	4–6 weeks	ISO 9001	Lower tooling cost
Vendor B (Overseas)	Laser cut + powder	±0.05 mm	5–8 weeks	ISO 9001/CE	Better on thick gauges

Customization and support

Pattern files (DXF/AI), color matching (RAL/NCS), edge hemming, and hidden fixing details are all doable. For exterior jobs, ask for PU systems with UV-stable pigments and request test reports. Many customers say submittals arrive faster than expected, which keeps GCs happy.

Mini case notes

Hotel lobby upgrade, Shanghai: 1.2 mm 316 mirror-etched panels with warm brass PU tone. Installers reported clean edges and zero delamination after on-site trimming. After 9 months, no color shift visible under 4000K LEDs.

University facade, coastal city: satin 304 with deep geometric etch + matte PU gray. Salt fog exposure on spares passed 480 h; maintenance crew noted easy graffiti removal with neutral detergent.

Testing, certifications, and compliance

Request: material MTRs (ASTM A240), coating adhesion (ASTM D3359), corrosion (ASTM B117 or ISO 9227). Factory QMS typically to ISO 9001:2015. Fire performance can be reviewed per project; stainless substrate is noncombustible, but verify coating classification locally.

Citations:

1. ASTM A240/A240M – Standard Specification for Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet, and Strip.
2. ASTM D3359 – Standard Test Methods for Rating Adhesion by Tape Test.
3. ASTM B117 / ISO 9227 – Salt Spray (Fog) Testing for Corrosion Resistance.
4. DIN 53516 – Testing of rubber; determination of abrasion resistance (reference for PU coat wear behavior).