What is an aluminum composite panel?
Composites are compound materials made from a combination of two or more materials. The material obtained has superior properties in comparison to the raw material. In fact, the ingredients are combined to make a great material. Depending on the purpose of the construction, special features such as strength, durability, beauty and more can be mentioned during the construction process.
Aluminum composite also consists of three layers of different materials. One central layer and two layers of aluminum surface. But the thickness and variety of materials used in the central layer, as well as its coatings, make it diverse indeed. As a result, the classification is based on the thickness and type of the central layer, the thickness and type of coatings, the thickness and type of aluminum alloy, and the type of paint on the panel coating. Of course, the way the material is made and varied is such a way that any manufacturer can apply new creativity in production of the panel and add it to all kinds of aluminum composite panels.
The advantages and capabilities, especially the aluminum panel composite, make it one of the most popular materials used in industry and construction.
Energy insulation, composite panel’s first specific advantage
One of the most important advantages of ACPs is the insulation of aluminum panels to sound and heat energy.
Noise pollution is a nuisance for a building’s occupants. Especially when it comes to buildings with special uses such as hospitals, libraries, theaters and conferences, and more. One of the materials that is a great approach in these cases is aluminum composite panels. As mentioned above, the composite panel consists of three layers. In the case of sound insulation, the insulation work is on the middle or core layer. This layer is made of polyurethane foam. Foams such as: polyurethane sponges, rock wool, egg shoulder foams, rebound foam, XP foam, flex panel. The presence of this foam with high sound absorption property causes it to absorb more sound or energy and reflect or pass a smaller amount of sound outside.
Thermal insulation can also be useful in buildings with specific application or specific geographical areas. But in general, in order to maintain the cooling and thermal energy in different seasons, in addition to the roof, the outermost layers of the walls can also be insulated, and this is possible with aluminum composite panels.
Even this panel insulation feature applies to aluminum windows. These windows, like an aluminum composite panel, are made of two layers of aluminum and one layer of polyamide, so that cold or heat wave is transferred from the outer layer to the inner layer and does not enter the building.
So far, we have learned about the importance of insulating these panels, but in addition, other features have made it special and popular.
Advantages of aluminum panel in building facade
The first part, diversity in facing
For a long time, solid and static facades were considered for the appearance and facade of buildings. Due to material and other restrictions, it was not possible to implement any plan. But it is not wrong to say that with the arrival of aluminum composite panels, a revolution took place in the field of building facades. These panels, with their elasticity, could bend without breaking and form curved, arched, and non-angular shapes. As a result, a variety of new designs that were not previously built on the facade were created. With the compatibility of aluminum panels with machining, bending, drilling and grooving, it is possible to make and implement any template and design that the designer has in mind.
In fact, the facade, which is made of aluminum composite panel, is a separate screen mounted on the outermost layer of the building wall. On the other hand, this can be dangerous if the standards are not met, but if the standards are met and the installation is done by tools and professionals, it is not dangerous, but also has positive points.
Part II, Repair and Correction of panels
One of other advantages is that due to the way the facade is connected to the building, each part of this facade can be cut into pieces, cut its connection with other parts and after the necessary progress, it will be the same again install the shape on the building without any need for the whole facade to be separated and lowered. This is especially useful when the facade needs to be repaired or even cleaned.
Advantage of aluminum panel in terms of security
The next most important point is to increase safety during an earthquake.
Due to the fact that the substructure of stone or concrete facades and other facades are applied to the external wall, and the external wall collapses earlier during the earthquake due to not being connected to the main structure of the building; There is a risk of collapse for all of the above facings. However, by installing the aluminum panel facade, it is connected to the main structure of the building by special methods with a corner.
Additionally, as mentioned above, the facade surface is separate from the building, and due to this non-integrated function, they move in place when an earthquake occurs and do not transmit the vibration caused by the earthquake to the rest of the points to cause the entire facade to collapse. Also, the composite panel, despite its appearance, has a lightweight and does not damage the high weight of the building during an earthquake.
Advantage of aluminum panel in the field of appearance diversity
One of the unique features of this type of panel compared to other panels is the appearance of the pages themselves. These plates are available in a wide variety of colors, and their texture and matte or gloss type can be determined. The variety of these panel’s colors makes them a perfect option for any facing’s application with great visual outlook.
Advantage of aluminum panel in the field of application diversity
For the outer or central layers of aluminum composite panels, different raw materials are considered. As a result, the variety of applications and the production purpose of these panels are various. For instance, aluminum composite panels are fireproof, antibacterial or nano in a variety of appearances, which are used for special purposes in environments that require these materials.
Aluminum unique attributes
Aluminum by itself has special properties:
In areas where the humidity is high or the weather conditions in the materials cause corrosion, the alternative material (aluminum) can be used because it is highly resistant to corrosion. This property by anodizing aluminum increases the anti-corrosion property of aluminum, which is a layer of oxidized coating of the same metal. This process also enhances other properties of aluminum, such as its color ability and adhesion strength. As a result, by covering the aluminum panel with different coatings, the panel’s resistance to climatic conditions, UV rays and even acid rain can be increased. In addition, since there are several alloys for aluminum metal, a wide range of properties are considered for this metal.
Popularity of aluminum composite panel
In fact, it is the advantages of the aluminum composite panel that make it stand out from the competitors. In a few cases, these advantages can be found in the other material. The advantages of this composite panel are summarized as follows:
- Flexibility, elasticity and form-ability
- light weight
- Proper performance in earthquakes
- Sound and thermal energy insulation
- Moisture insulation
- Ability to seal and guide water on the facade in a specific direction
- Paint ability
- Acceptance of different manufacturing technologies
- Resistance to weather conditions
- Easy to prepare and install
- Ability to wash
- Ability to replace and reinstall
- Heat resistant shock
- Available in different dimensions
The diversity range of construction mentioned above makes the aluminum composite panel compatible with any application and structure. In fact, there is no limit to the use of this panel, and since the structural options available, it is possible to not consider a number of options or points, and select those that are more compatible with the purpose of the property.
