As most of you know, aluminum is one of the most appreciated metal materials in many industries. Manufacturers utilize this metal type to produce various practical products for us to use. One of the primary usages of aluminum is in the building and construction industry. Since it is a flexible material and fabricating it into any complex shape is more accessible than other metals, architects choose aluminum for their modern building designs. One of the most significant areas of a building that builders use aluminum to improve its characteristics is the cladding system. With this said, aluminum claddings are the building products that architects go for when designing their client&#;s facilities. Although various types of metal cladding are available in the market, ACM panels are currently dominant. However, you may also hear of aluminum panel, the traditional style of cladding that architects used for the building facade. This article will help you understand the primary differences between aluminum and composite panels.
You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.
Years before Aluminum composite panel production, the solid aluminum panel was the leading material for metal panel manufacturers, fabricators, and architects across the world. At the time when ACM started to grow, board manufacturers flooded the market with these products. With this, they took the massive share of the market away from the solid panels, which dominated the market. Composite sheets offered a vast variety of standard colors, which were more affordable, and they had very lightweight and easy formable characteristics.
Thus, ACM Panels usage started to grow day by day in different types of projects and applications. However, there is still time and place where solid aluminum panels have many advantages over composite materials. Before knowing the main differences between these two approvable products, it is important to understand the definition of each one.
An aluminum panel is a solid piece of aluminum product, which is non-laminated. It has standard widths of 36, 48, 60, and 72 inches, and the typical width of this panel system is 1.8 inches or 125 inches. This type of material is often utilized in heavy-duty applications such as military and transportation product manufacturing and even in aerospace. It is approvable for being shaped and formed to use as a skin of jets and different fuel tanks.
This is due to the tough characteristics of aluminum at super-cold temperatures. This paneling system is also used to produce structural sections for ships and railcars. In addition, these panels are appropriate for buildings cladding. It is not very heavy compared to other metal materials in the industry, thus it can have easier installation methods.
ACP materials are laminated products, which have a standard dimension of 4mm and 6mm with 0.20 metal skin on the surface of each side of the product. These products come in an extremely wide variety of color finishes thus they offer larger quantities of fabrication for building claddings. These panels are used for both exterior and interior applications, they are perfect for modern façade renovation and construction, and they are approvable for furniture manufacturing.
Aluminum composite material provides different types of techy products for modern architecture such as longboards and sidings. These panels come with many beneficial specifications such as having lightweight, high impact strength, sound insulation, etc. It is good to mention that the cost of these products is lower in comparison to solid aluminum.
Aluminum Composite Panel Types
ACP companies and manufacturers classify ACM panels based on their specific purpose, coatings, and appearance. Aluminum composite panels can differ in their coating materials, textures, finishes, and properties. Manufacturers utilize various layers depending on your needs, architect&#;s designs, and the location of your building. Additionally, depending on your local building codes and regulations, ACP manufacturers will produce these cladding systems with specific characteristics such as fireproof property. For more details about types of composite panels, we have provided a thorough blog for you to read.
Now that you know what aluminum composite panels and aluminum panels are; it is time to get to their primary differences. Although both aluminum cladding systems can be practical for specific projects, it is essential to know their differences to choose and buy the most suitable one for your building renovation or new construction project.
Building standards and regulations are changing throughout different regions all over the world. These changes include full-scale wall assembly and installation testing and non-combustibility requirements for wall cladding. When it comes to choosing the right material, the option of a non-combustible solid aluminum panel is practicable. However, in most cases, ACM panels pass certain standard tests due to their fireproof characteristic.
Typically, both solid and composite aluminum panels accept most of the colors and finishes available in the industry. However, ACP is the dominant material when it comes to finishes. This paneling system can have limitless finishing choices such as high-gloss, wooden, stainless steel, and a variety of colors. For example, wood finish is perfect when it comes to wood siding products, which are very trendy for designing residential facilities.
In domestic aluminum panels, fluorocarbon spraying is utilized. This process includes sheet metal pieces spraying and processing. Sheet metal processing is mainly about fabricating and turning the aluminum panels into different shapes and sizes for applications and it is done by cutting, bending, welding, folding, polishing, etc. These methods are more difficult and complex for ACP in comparison to solid aluminum, thus they require higher skill and precision. In addition to the mentioned methods, they are other processes, which need to be done and are forming, compounding, trimming, and coating. These processes can be produced automatically by utilizing machines. Thus, aluminum composite panel fabrication is considered as having the advantage of environmental safety and protection.
For fabricating any kind of aluminum paneling system, it is better to have a separate machine for each type. This is due to the different specifications of both products. For example, cutters are put under more pressure when processing a solid aluminum panel, which can lead to dulling the tooth of the machine. However, both paneling products can be fabricated without losing their structural integrity.
ACM panels are hard to defeat when it comes to installation simplicity. The ease of installation in these materials is due to their lightweight characteristic. However, a solid aluminum panel is not excessively heavy compared to other cladding materials and they can be very applicable for different projects, which require a hand-installing method.
Aluminum composite material (ACM) is a three-layer composite sheet with plastic as the core layer and aluminum on both sides, and the ornamental surface of the product is covered with decorative and protective coating. In recent years, ACM building materials have grown in popularity. Over the last few decades, ACM materials have become increasingly popular in the construction sector. Because of their variety and modern, sleek appearance, many designers want to use them in their creations. While all ACMs will be made of thin aluminum sheets, customers will have two choices for the core material. Polyethylene, or PE cores, are the first material accessible for use in ACM panels. Customers prefer ACM panels with PE cores because they are more affordable and lighter, and they are a popular choice for buildings up to two stories tall. Builders are increasingly opting for more contemporary specialized fire retardant cores for larger buildings. Though fire-resistant cores are more expensive, new fire safety requirements may mandate multistory constructions to include these panels.
Why Is ACM So Popular
Rigidity - In comparison to a single-layer aluminum plate, the aluminum-plastic composite panel has a higher elastic limit, is less readily bent, and can retain good flatness performance in a natural state for a long period without excessive external force.
Weight - ACM is made of aluminum and a small density plastic core material. Because of that, when compared to aluminum panel, or other metals, ACM has the same rigidity and thickness but is smaller and less hefty too.
Zhuzao Product Page
Rich in Color- and Perfect For Decoration The layers of the aluminum-plastic panel can be colored in a variety of ways, and the design can be customized to fit any application. As well, photocopying technology is used to replicate granite, wood grain, and metal patterns, resulting in a distinctive texture and high-quality pattern design.
Durable - The metal and core material thermal composite technology is used in the aluminum-plastic composite board, and the bonding is strong. Surface coatings are made of various materials depending on the application environment, with fluorocarbon coatings having superior weather resistance.
Great Cost - Pre-coating continuous coating and metal/core material continuous thermal compounding are used in the manufacturing of aluminum-plastic composite panels. It has a high production efficiency and low raw material cost, making it a material with good cost features when compared to common metal veneers.
Good Environmental Conditions - The recycled aluminum and plastic core elements in the discarded aluminum-plastic panel have a low environmental impact. Furthermore, fluorocarbon coatings are used on wood-aluminum composite panels and outdoor ornamental aluminum-plastic panels, which have exceptional durability and low daily maintenance expenses, lowering the entire life cycle cost.
High Surface Flatness - The surface flatness of the aluminum-plastic composite panel is higher than that of a single-material metal sheet, especially the large-sized sheet material, thanks to a continuous thermal composite production process. It has a flat and homogeneous appearance and is utilized for architectural decoration.
The normal ACM panel cannot go below the B1 grades. For example, not every plastic aluminum composite panel can be fireproof, and the specific performance is defined based on the non-combustibility grade. The B3 grade has a flammable raw material rating, while the B2 grade is a combustible building material. As a result, if a building owner wants to select a fire-resistant material, it is critical to consider the product's fire rating feature.
A2 fire protection rating is for non-combustible construction materials that are difficult to burn.
B1 classification is for flame- and fire-retardant building materials that have good flame- and fire-retardant properties. When the material comes into contact with an open flame in the air or is difficult to ignite at high temperatures, the fire will not spread quickly. After removing the fire source, the combustion will come to a halt as quickly as possible.
B2 For flammable materials, the third fire-resistant performance class is B2. These substances have a unique fire-retardant property. Similar to wooden columns, beams, staircases, and trusses, when exposed to a fire in the air or at a high temperature, it will burn and ignite, causing the fire to spread.
B3 class of construction material is the least efficient in terms of fire safety. They are flammable materials that do not have any fire-retardant properties. As a result, they are regarded as flammable and dangerous, making them the worst choice for building claddings.
Where To Use ACM?
Curtain walls, outside wall decorating and advertising, and interior wall decoration are all areas where ACM is commonly employed. You should also keep in mind that the specs of acm building material vary depending on how the material is used.
ACM for Building Curtain WallThe top and lower aluminum panels must have a minimum thickness of 0.50mm, and the total thickness must be at least 4mm. The aluminum material should meet the GB/T specifications. Aluminum alloy sheets from the and series should be used in most cases. Fluorocarbon should be used to coat the materials.
ACM Material for Indoor UseUpper and lower aluminum panels are typically made of an aluminum plate with a thickness of 0.20 mm and a minimum thickness of 0.10 mm, with a total thickness of 3 mm. The coating is either polyester or acrylic. ACM materials can also be utilized in airplanes, cabinets, and automobiles, among other applications.
ACM Materials for Exterior Wall Decoration and AdvertisingThe top and lower aluminum panels should be manufactured of rust-resistant aluminum with a thickness of at least 0.20mm and a total thickness of at least 4mm. A fluorocarbon coating or a polyester coating is most commonly used.
Conclusion
Indoors or out, ACM materials can be used for applications that require high strength, low weight, and a sleek, modern appearance. Not only can the panels come in a limitless array of colors and finishes, but they can also be cut, routed, and roll-formed, giving architects and designers the freedom to create magnificent forms and shapes. Many users of ACM appreciate how easy it is to fabricate compared to bare sheet metal. Furthermore, ACM can keep its appearance and shape for a long time. The panels' more flexible plastic core prevents warping and distortion caused by heavier sheet metal, while the aluminum layers provide long-term durability, rigidity, and stiffness in any climate. Shop Related Products
Want more information on Aluminum Wall Panels Exterior? Feel free to contact us.