Benefits and uses of Aluminium Composite Material
Aluminium Composite Material or ACM is one of the most sought-after materials produced by Plastic Online as it has a variety of uses and benefits. Most people know that ACM has a high popularity in the signage industry but there is a lot more to know about this versatile product.
What is Aluminium Composite Material?
Aluminium Composite Material or ACM and also called Sandwich Panel, Sandwich Board, Signboard, Alu Panel, Alucobond and Composite Board, consists of flat panels made from two thin coil-coated aluminium sheets bonded to a non-aluminium core. The core is usually made of low density polyethylene that makes the product impact resistant and lightweight.
Advantages of using Aluminium Composite Material for your project
Aluminium Composite Material is so popular and not without good reason – when compared to similar materials, ACM is usually superior as it provides the following benefits:
- Cost-effective
ACM is an economic and high-quality material – at Plastic Online we provide Aluminium Composite Material to a range of customers, from builders and commercial operators to home handymen. There is no minimum quantity order, you can simply order what you need and Plastic Online will cut it to size for you and deliver Australia wide at competitive prices.
- Easy to cut into different shapes and sizes
Aluminium Composite Material can be cut and bent into different shapes and sizes to create custom products.
- Variety
ACM is available in various colours, thickness degrees, and finishes such as matte or gloss. Moreover, you can print anything on ACM and create the signage your business needs to attract customers. Because they are available in a large number of colours and finishes, you can replicate them to any colour or natural texture such as wood or stone.
- Excellent mechanical properties
ACM is lighter than steel and solid aluminium panels. It weighs 3.4 times less than steel and 1.6 times less than aluminium. ACM panels are both light and rigid which makes them suitable for a wide range of applications, particularly outdoor commercial signage. Being both light and durable has also made ACM a good choice for the aviation industry.
- Outstanding resilience
Whenever you need outdoor cladding materials, Aluminium Composite Material should be on your short list because it is unbreakable, stain and weather resistant, and will last for a long time.
- Acoustic insulation
Aluminium Composite Material panels have been found to reduce sound by approximately 25dB for PU elements and by 30dB for MW elements.
- Thermal resistance
Sandwich panels achieve different thermal resistance values depending on the core and the thickness of the panel. Installing a system with Aluminium Composite Material panels helps minimising thermal bridges through the joints.
Aluminium Composite Material uses
2019 has marked the beginning of new regulations regarding the use of non-conforming and unsafe building materials, such as certain aluminium composite panels. In Queensland, where Plastic Online is based, the audit taskforce has inspected and assessed buildings and enacted remediation work after more than 18,000 buildings have been registered by October 31st. The latest pieces of legislation in the field were designed to provide clarification on responsibilities of owners of buildings which are affected by combustible cladding. Building owners are required to complete all stages of the combustible cladding checklist, the building fire safety assessment and the Fire Engineer statement by the 3rd of May 2021.
Aluminium Composite Material panels have different fire behaviours and resistance depending on a variety of factors: foam, metal thickness, coating, etc. Building research and insurer studies have shown that Aluminium Composite Material panels do not start a fire on their own, but can contribute to fire spread when fire has already started from high risk areas such as cooking areas. With proper fire risk management, prevention, and containment measures, this type of material does not represent a major fire hazard.
When panels are used to clad a building, those containing composite should be avoided, with mineral wool core ones being a better option.
The new regulations do not ban the use of Aluminium Composite Material, but restrict its applications within safe limits. ACM can still be used for a variety of applications, such as:
Signage
Sign boards made of Aluminium Composite Material are very common nowadays as they are easy to process and do not deteriorate easily. Because ACM is very flexible, you can mould it into almost anything and you can obtain either flat or curbed panels that suit different walls. You can drill holes through these panels to enable you to easily mount the ACM panels on existing walls, whether they be concrete, brick or something else.
Another reason why ACM is used for signage is that it requires little maintenance and you can enjoy their sight for years or decades. You can wash them without any worry as they have great water resistant properties and paint on Aluminium Composite Material lasts for a long time without being affected by sun, rain, or rust.
Trade show displays
Looking for the right materials to create an attractive and practical transient space? The best choice for your trade show booth is Aluminium Composite Material again. It can be used to create display units for products or customise tradeshow booths with various elements such as walls, shelves, art, and signage, with endless possibilities.
Fine art support
Aluminium Composite Material has recently been used as backing material for mounting fine art photography, using acrylic finish using processes.
Aluminium Composite Material panels remain one of the best options for signage and transient structures, and using this type of material can have a positive impact on your business due to cost-effectiveness and flexibility.
Looking for a reliable Aluminium Composite Material source in Australia? Plastic Online is the most suited to provide you with ACM sheets as we make buying cut to size ACM easy and convenient. We manufacture sandwich panel material made up of 2 thin coil coated aluminium coated panels bonded to a non-aluminium core.
Plastic Online Australia is more than a plastic fabrication company. We can deliver products made from scratch, according to your requirements, and we do it all here on the Gold Coast.
We are a privately-owned business operating from our state-of-the art facility on the Gold Coast. Established in 1991 as Plastic Online, we now operate 2 manufacturing plants and retail sales facilities on the Gold Coast, one in Burleigh and one in Ashmore.
Our in-house and external training courses have allowed us to stay up to date with the latest technology. We don’t just specialise in plastic fabrication, we specialise in excellence. Aside from our innovative manufacturing facilities, we also benefit from advanced cutting technologies to cut, engrave, and form many different materials into various shapes and component products. All these make us your one stop shop for all your Aluminium Composite Material and other plastic product needs. Send us your enquiry through our contact form today!
