ALPOLIC material is an aluminum composite material (ACM) having two sheets of aluminum and thermoplastic structure. Aluminum sheets are precisely bonded on either side of an extruded thermoplastic or mineral filled, fire resistant core. These surfaces are coil-coated and pre-finished in a variety of paint-finishes before bonding and fixing. This material offers the rigidity of heavy gauge sheet metal in a lightweight composite specification.
ALPOLIC has been a leading aluminum material since 1970 and more than 130 countries have been utilizing it for exterior and interior applications. This material is perfect for architectural projects due to its light weight, easy fabrication into complex forms and it is easy to be installed compared to traditional materials. ALPOLIC can be installed and fabricated with simple woodworking and metal working tools, with no special tools required.
Cutting, punching, grooving, bending, drilling, rolling and many other techniques can be easily performed to create unlimited types of complex shapes. However, it is hard to break under impact load compared to other sheet materials or boards. It also brings superior durability, stability, flatness, vibration damping and easy maintenance with it. Having a huge selection of finish types, glosses and colors, there will be no limit to the architectural effects which designers can create.
ALPOLIC surface has perfect corrosion and weather resistance and its composition of the sandwiched structure provides less thermal conductivity and better sound absorption. One of the most important advantages of this materials is its recyclability and being environmental friendly. This product is available in variety of line ups with design and functions using different types of materials on surface and core including A1 which passed European fire resistant standard as the first ACM in the world, PE, FR, A2.
ALPOLIC/PE Materials (Polyethylene Core)
ALPOLIC/PE materials feature aluminum layers bonded to every side of an extruded polyethylene core, providing the toughness and rigidity of sheet aluminum. These materials are at lower price and have lighter weight compared to traditional ACP and they are superior in stability and flatness. These materials are high rated in ASTM standard test method for surface burning characteristics and ability of building constructing materials. This standard test which is also known as “Steiner Tunnel test”, measures the smoke density and flame spread under a specific set of conditions while exposed to fire. The result of the standard test showed that ALPOLIC/PE can be considered as safe using materials for building structures under 40 feet. This height is approximately the limit of firefighting from the ground level, only using common platform truck or a ladder. It is good to know that this material is available in specific dimensions which include total thickness of 3mm, 4mm or 6mm, width of 965mm, 1,270mm and 1,575mm and maximum length of 7,200mm.
ALPOLIC/FR Materials (Fire Resistant Core)
It is important to notice that the international building standard code requires superior fire resistance for wall structures of buildings at over 40 feet height. ALPOLIC/FR materials are designed specially to provide a skin with high fire resistant for these type of walls. The bulk of the core is filled with a proprietary mineral; however, the core includes a small amount of polyethylene to enable extrusion of the material. These materials, foam and release water when surrounding flames bring the mineral fill to a high temperature with the range of 350-420 degrees. The water which is released is about twice as much liquid by volume as the core occupies in solid state. This water provides very effective cooling of the flame and expands even further as it steams. At the same time, minor amount of combustible materials remains behind. The FR material itself can be ignited but the flames cannot travel anywhere and it is likely to be extinguished completely due to the releasing steaming water. Thus ALPOLIC/FR is the ideal material to use for any type of building exceeding 40 feet in height.
ALPOLIC A1 and A2
ALPOLIC A1 is an aluminum composite material with inflammable core which contains zero polyethylene. ALPOLIC A2 is also an ACM with high fire resistant core and it is composed of a non-combustible mineral high filled core placed between two layers of 0.5 mm thick aluminum alloy. A2 has total thickness of 4mm and the topside is coated with fluorocarbon based paint and the backside is a service or wash coating. Colors approvable for this material is varied in four types which are solid colors, metallic colors, sparkling colors and prismatic colors. Also this material can be designed in patterns such as stone, timber and etc. Both A1 and A2 can be applicable for exterior and interior cladding and roof covering in modern buildings and retrofit applications. It is important to notice that these types cannot be utilized in Canadian markets due to the differences in testing standard for determining non-combustibility.
