No matter how nicely the interior of a building is designed, the facade remains the first major impression of the standard and style of any building. Not only should it define the architectural aesthetics of a building, but it should also be resilient, protective, and easy to maintain. When it comes to choosing the best exterior elevation material for any commercial or residential buildings, one cannot deny the importance of aluminium composite panels (ACP) also commonly known as ACP. Its popularity in the building sector has witnessed tremendous growth in the past few years and is still expanding under the cover of low price, flexibility, durability, lighter weight, energy efficiency and construction possibilities. It is a wonderful material for building ventilated facades or for their refurbishment. SURFACES REPORTER (SR) is thankful to Mr. Rahul Garg, Director, Alex Panels Group for sharing his insights on this new age material, how it is developed, its main attributes, finishes, applications and transformations.
What is an Aluminium Composite Panel and How is it Obtained?
Being the third most common element found in Earth’s crust, Aluminum, in its natural form, is covered with several silicates. It can be obtained from a number of minerals available in the world but the most common mineral is bauxite- a sedimentary rock with a high aluminium content. The aluminium is then later being pressed and rolled into panel form under high pressure.
Aluminium Composite Panel comprises two fairly thin layers of aluminium sheets that are joined together with a thermoplastic core made of polyethylene which binds them together. The structural composition of the aluminium composite panel makes it ideal for exterior cladding systems.
Main Characteristics of ACP Cladding
Since the aluminum composite panels have covered a long journey in the building industry, their characteristics have been improved a lot, thanks to various technological advancements. Owing to its great flexibility, we can find it in both major as well minor works and interiors. Here are the main characteristics of an ACP:
- Can bend, fold and turn easily
- Lightweight and highly durable
- High dimensional stability
- One of the most cost-effective materials available in the market
- Available in a multitude of colours and finishes like mirror, sand, stone and wood
- Can withstand extreme weather conditions such as storms, sun, rain, and so forth.
- Corrosion-resistant
- Eco-friendly as it lead-free
- UV ray resistant
- Completely recyclable
- No crack risks
- Highest gloss retention
- Easy to perforate and customize
- Quick and easy to assemble
- Requires Less Maintenance
- Termite, Borer and Fungi resistant
- Provide insulation to buildings
- Fire resistant
Most Common Finishing Paints For Aluminium Composite Panel
ACP sheets give liberty to architects and engineers to show their creativity as they can be easily customised into various shapes, colours and finishes. These are the most common finishing paints: HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)-It is perfect weather and UV-resistant coated material. It also allows super gloss and some unique finishes such as textured surfaces. FEVE (fluoroethylene vinyl ether)- It is structurally similar to PVDF, but has less flexibility and more hardness. It provides a high range of gloss. PVDF (Fluorinated polyvinyl)- the most common and popular finish for architectural applications. It has a higher folding capacity under a 70/30 proportion of resin. It is extremely durable, corrosion-resistant and protects against ultraviolet rays. It protects the surface where it is applied from colour fading and stains.
Solid, Metallic and Special finishes
Earlier, aluminium composite panels had limited colour and finish options. But now they come in a myriad of different finishes. Moreover, they can be adapted to any colour and can be added with various texture effects, matt or high-gloss surfaces, special lighting effects and imitating wood or concrete.
Solid and metallic finishes are homogeneous and very popular for large facades and big construction projects. These finishes provide a sense of solidity to the facade and can easily be merged with other finishes.
ACP Sheet Applications
Applications of ACP are not only limited to exterior building cladding but can also be used in internal architectural cladding or false ceilings, signage, partitions, machine coverings, container construction, etc.
Exterior usage of ACP sheets: Canopy, facade, soffit, overhang,
Interior usage of ACP sheets: false ceiling, wall coverings, modular kitchens, tabletops, cupboards, wardrobes, column covers, furniture, skylights, etc. mainly used for external and internal architectural cladding or partitions, false ceilings, signage, machine coverings, container construction, etc. Applications of ACP are not limited to external building cladding, but can also be used in any form of cladding such as partitions, false ceilings, etc.
Usage of ACP sheets in Corporate Identity Design: Kiosks, signage, totems, free-standing displays, POPs, fascia, etc.
Technologically Advanced Aluminum Composite Panels
ACP sheets of today are a great departure from what they used to be in the past. These days engineers are creating technologically advanced aluminium sheets that help create futuristic facades. For instance, some developers are using PVDV coating with revolutionary AFT Technology to design fire-resistant and weather-resistant Aluminium Composite Panels.
Aluminium composite panel is genuinely a material that not only gives an elegant and modish touch to any space but is economical, super-flexible, sturdy, easily recyclable and eco-friendly too. And it can be perceptibly concluded that functionality is now at the fore of building design along with character representation.