The Benefits Of Aluminium Composite Panels
An aluminium composite panel more commonly known simply as an ACP, were originally created and designed in the 1960’s with their original and primary purpose being that of signage and displays. By the 1980’s the construction and building industry had discovered the benefits of aluminium composite panels, such its lightweight and durable properties and began using this as an external facade for mainly high-rise residential and commercial buildings.
Aluminium composite panels are also known as a type of “sandwich panel”, which is a panel that is made up of three layers of various materials with a low density core and a thin outer layer on either side of the core. This design is what makes these types of panels so strong and durable and lead to the use of them in building.
Unfortunately, aluminium composite panels have not been without their controversies, and with their traditional manufacture and materials being used, were highly heat conductible and thus combustible material, which is definitely not ideal for the use as a building material and unfortunately was a contributing factor in the acceleration of building fires around the world.
These days with the learnings from these prior experiences, aluminium composite panels that are used for building purposes are made with materials that are significantly less heat conductible and are rated for their level of combustibility.
Aluminium composite panels are mainly manufactured using a combination of a polyethylene core that is then sandwiched between two outer flat aluminium panels.
Benefits And Uses of Aluminium Composite Panels
Aluminium composite panels are extremely versatile when it comes to the ways in which they can be used, and have a number of benefits compared to other forms of materials that could potentially be used for the same types of construction cases. These benefits include;
Multi-Use
Due to the highly functional characteristics of aluminium composite panels, they can be used in a number of different situations and for a number or different purposes. Some of the uses for aluminium composite panels include; building facades and cladding, indoor and outdoor signage, POS displays, partitioning walls, suspended ceilings, shop fittings, thermal insulation, and sound insulation.
Cost Effective
Due to their light weight and high strength to weight ratio, aluminium composite panels are a cost effective solution for both building facades and signage with large faces (especially true for larger style outdoor signage that is some distance from the ground). Due to their strength, less overall material is needed to achieve the same structural rigidity of other materials which ultimately leads to a cost saving, and with the less materials needed and the lighter weight of aluminium composite panels, they are easier to install this results in a saving in labour costs, as well as being less heavy to transport which leads to a reduction in transportation costs. The other main cost benefit of aluminium composite panels, is the minimal need for maintenance required for upkeep during their lifetime.
Maintenance Benefits of Aluminium Composite Panels
Compared to other types of materials such as solid steel, wood or concrete, aluminium composite panels are extremely easy to clean and can often be done so simply with the use of water and moderate pressure. As a result of being lightweight, it is a much easier process to replace aluminium composite panels if needed than to replace other forms of more heavy weight materials. Due to their durability and long life, over their lifespan, aluminium composite panels will need considerably less overall maintenance than upkeep than other forms of signage material and cladding and facades.
Lightweight
Compared to other types of material, aluminium is extremely lightweight and can weigh as much as 66% less than the same quantity of steel material without losing out on any of the benefits of strength, rigidity, and durability. This has multiple benefits during the installation, maintenance and when needed, the replacement of aluminium composite panels.
Durability
Due a pre-treatment process that leads to being corrosion resistant, aluminium composite panels will have a lifespan that will outlast many other forms of materials in the same usage situation. Because of this, aluminium composite panels are able to withstand exposure to harsh elements such as sun, rain and wind for a substantial amount of time before they require maintenance or replacement. Because of the type of surface material on the outer layers of many aluminium composite panels they are very easy to clean which leads to a longer lifespan, for example it is easy to clean graffiti of aluminium composite panel signage which may not be able to be so easily cleaned off from other materials.
Rigidity and Strength
Compared to other types of materials, aluminium composite panels are lightweight with a high strength to weight ratio, this has an advantage of being able to use more material for the same amount of weight than other materials. This means that a structure that is created using aluminium composite panels to the same weight as other materials will be considerably stronger and more rigid resulting in a stronger and more durable structure.
Corrosion Resistant
Due to the way in which aluminium composite panels are manufactured, the composite materials are generally pre-treated which gives them the benefit of being resistant to corrosion, this is a factor that contributes to their overall durability and longevity. Aluminium itself is considered to be a corrosion resistant material, with the reason for this being that when exposed to air a thin layer of aluminium oxide is formed which then protects the aluminium surface from environmental elements.
Non-Combustible
As a result of the learnings of previous incidents involving aluminium composite panels in the use of building cladding and facades, most, if not all of the aluminium composite panels that are to be used as a building material are made using non-combustible aluminum which can withstand temperatures of up to 600 degrees celsius.
Variety of Colors, Sizes and Shapes
Aluminium composite sign panels can be easily customised when it comes to the size, shape and color of the panels themselves which makes them ideal for various types of indoor and outdoor signage which require a specific size to fit the area or for a brand that requires a specific color to be used.
Mulford Aluminium Composite Panel Products
Mulford Plastics supplies a large variety and range of aluminium composite panels for a number of different uses, in a number of sizes with the option for some products to be customised. The Mulford range consists of the following products;
Signbond® Premium
Our Signbond® Premium range has 0.3mm aluminium sides making it the optimal choice for fabrication when a quality finish is required.
Key Features
- 10 Year Warranty
- Excellent surface flatness and smoothness
- Weather, corrosion and pollutant resistance
- Impact resistant
- Lightweight and easy to fabricate
- Easy to maintain
Product Applications
- Exterior signage
- Shop fitting, cabinet making
- Advertisement
- Point of sale displays
- Trade stands
- Transport
- Partitioning, wall linings and suspended ceilings
Signbond®
Our Signbond® range has 0.2mm aluminium sides making it a great all purpose choice for your signage and display requirements.
Key Features
- 10 Year Warranty
- Excellent surface flatness and smoothness
- Weather, corrosion and pollutant resistance
- Impact resistant
- Lightweight and easy to fabricate
- Easy to maintain
Product Applications
- Exterior signage
- Shop fitting, cabinet making
- Advertisement
- Point of sale displays
- Trade stands
- Transport
- Partitioning, wall linings and suspended ceilings
Signbond® Lite
Our Signbond® Lite range has 0.15mm aluminium sides ideal for flat applications.
Key Features
- 10 Year Warranty
- Excellent surface flatness and smoothness
- Weather, corrosion and pollutant resistance
- Impact resistant
- Lightweight and easy to fabricate
- Easy to maintain
Product Applications
- Exterior signage
- Shop fitting, cabinet making
- Advertisement
- Point of sale displays
- Trade stands
- Transport
- Partitioning, wall linings and suspended ceilings
Signbond® Ultralite
Our Signbond® Ultralite range has 0.10mm aluminium sides ideal for exhibition and flat applications.
Key Features
- 10 Year Warranty
- Excellent surface flatness and smoothness
- Weather, corrosion and pollutant resistance
- Impact resistant
- Lightweight and easy to fabricate
- Easy to maintain
Product Applications
- Exterior signage
- Shop fitting, cabinet making
- Advertisement
- Point of sale displays
- Trade stands
- Transport
- Partitioning, wall linings and suspended ceilings
Snowbond®
Snowbond® is the latest generation of aluminium composite panels, consisting of two aluminium cover layers and a foamed PVC core. It’s lightweight and flexible, yet extremely flat– ideal for UV printing, advertising and decoration markets.
Visually, Snowbond® has the same structure as traditional aluminium composite panels, but what makes it different is the new foamed core made from virgin plastic. It has a White Digital Primer Finish and is available in 2440 x 1220 x 3.0mm in size.
Key Features
- Lightweight
- Smooth Surface
- Easy-Peel Film
- Easy Fabrication
- Cost Effective
Applications
- Indoor/Outdoor Signage
- UV and Screen Printing
- Display (POS/POP)
- 3D Lettering
- Shop Fitting
- Exhibition Display
Snowbond® Lite
Snowbond® Lite is a breakthrough in aluminium composite, comprising two aluminium cover layers and a PET core. It is lightweight and flexible, yet extremely flat compared to solid aluminium – ideal for UV printing and directional signage.
Visually, Snowbond® Lite looks like solid aluminium, the layered composition however provides a much more rigid material.
Key Features
- Lightweight
- Smooth Surface
- Easy-Peel Film
- Cost Effective
Applications
- Indoor/Outdoor Signage
- UV and Screen Printing
- Display (POS/POP)
- Shop Fitting
- Exhibition Display
Conclusion
With aluminium composite panels being such a versatile and durable material for buildings and signage with a number of benefits over other types of materials including their cost effectiveness and ease of maintenance contact us at Mulford Plastics for all of your aluminium composite panel needs.