ACM panels are an industrial product featuring two aluminum sheets bonding to each other and an inner thermoplastic core that can hold a mineral charge. Their practical design allows architects to create new construction ventilated facades and have a limitless choice for renovations and rehabilitation. The ideal solution which these products provide can adapt to all fields of architecture. Aluminum composite panels come with various advantages, including strength, corrosion resistance, recyclability, easy maintenance, lightweight characteristics, and many finishes. Modern manufacturing systems can transform and fabricate these panels into any demanding shape for different exterior and interior projects.
Additionally, the installation process of ACP materials is relatively straightforward. One of the assets of utilizing the ACP materials installation is their connection methods. Builders can use metal and plastic joining methods to satisfy the application needs. In this section, we narrate some of the standard systems for ACM panel connection.
Rivet Connection Method for ACM Panels
The first standard method for ACM panels connection is the rivet connection. In this method, aluminum composite panels can join between boards and other materials by utilizing rivets appropriate for aluminum. For projects that take place in outdoor or high humidity areas, supplies such as stainless-steel core rivets are suitable for avoiding corrosion effects on the surface of the composite sheets. In the case of utilizing an iron core rivet, it is essential to extract the core after riveting. Another rivet classification is countersunk, which is only suitable for indoor applications.
Threaded Fasteners Connection
Outdoor Fixing: When utilizing screw fixing supplies outdoors, construction experts must consider the thermal expansion coefficient of the ACM panels. Thus, for avoiding the deformation of these composites wall materials due to the thermal conditions, the opening of the plastic core in these panels requires a larger diameter than the screw broadness to meet the requirements of contraction and expansion. The functionality of stainless-steel screws is verified for a long time. These types of screws with ferrules eliminate the deformation issues of composite panels. For selecting the ideal screw suitable for the structural material, it is common to use a screwdriver or a torque wrench to tighten the supplies to ensure that the gasket seals the opening perfectly. At the equivalent point, they are not leaving marks and scratches on the surface of aluminum sheets. In some cases, it is essential to utilize a deformed drill bit to create holes in the panels or bottom structure to achieve rivet and centering drilling construction. Always remember to remove the protective film before completing the fixture of the screws.
Indoor Fixing: In contrast with outdoor applications, steel or wood fixing screws with various head shapes are practical for indoor purposes. These types of equipment do not allow ACPs to have thermal expansion and contraction displacement. The countersunk screw is also suitable for fixing interior aluminum composite panels. Like the outdoor fixing method, the holes on the panels should be larger than the diameter of the screw rod in the indoor system.
Plastic Welding
The plastic welding method for connecting ACM panels is only suitable for PE core materials. This method utilizes hot air for welding between plastics. Another system to achieve the perfect result is to use the electric heating torch to melt the aluminum plate combined with the hot air system. Then the polyethylene plastic electrode and core layer require cooling for a perfect connection. However, the welding method requires good conditions for better quality. These conditions include preparing a good board edge interface, clean hot air, correct welding temperature and contact pressure, and an efficient welding speed.
ACM Panels Bonding Method
Another standard method for connecting ACM panels in indoor advertising boards and booth layouts is bonding metal adhesives. Standard adhesives and metals are appropriate for bonding aluminum composite panels. There is another supplement that is suitable for the purpose, and it is called double-sided tape. This type of bonding is practical for connection with low strength specifications. For occasions that require high strength bonding, it is better to utilize one-component adhesive. It is essential to note that the ability of the bond to overcome the static loads and strength is typical for outdoor projects. When the bonding between the aluminum composite panels and other materials is completed, the bonding failure may occur due to the difference in the thermal enlargement coefficient of the substance.
Card Connector
The last method of connecting aluminum composite panels is utilizing card connectors. This system features using combination fixture for securing and attaching the panel. The card connector is available in materials such as aluminum and plastic, and its composition consists of two parts and connected by particular screws.
