One of the best construction materials mankind has ever come up with, is the Aluminum Composite Material. The Aluminum Composite Material is basically two aluminum sheets joined together to a polyethylene core to make up an Aluminum Composite Panels, or ACP for short. The material itself, because of the said combination, is extremely light (having a polyethylene core, and aluminum which is a very light metal to begin with) and vey durable. Due to this property it is the choice material with various applications in construction and architecture. The material is extremely resistant and is corrosion resistant, and to further kick it up a notch the material is coated with PVDF or Polyester which makes it even more corrosion resistant.
As far as the thickness of the Aluminum Composite Panels is concerned, it depends on different brands and your preference. Having said that, there are a few standard thicknesses available in the market according to which the ACPs are manufactured. They are 3, 4, 5 and 6mm respectively, making sure you have all the lightweight with all the durability and strength of the material.
Features and Uses of the ACP:
As mentioned before, the Aluminum Composite Panels have a huge variety of uses in construction and architecture. They are used in external and internal architectural cladding or partitions, false ceilings, signage, machine coverings, container constructions, etc. Because of its light weight and durability the material is perfect for use in sign boards, and that is why the Aluminum Composite Panels are weather proof in addition to being light and durable, because most sign boards are displayed externally where they have to go through all the weather changes so it makes sense to choose a material which can tolerate that punishment and that’s why we have this material and its panels. Sign Boards are the main use for ACPs, and if you go and visit your nearest mall or even a market, you will see many signs which are displayed both inside and outside made up of the Aluminum Composite Panels. The best thing about the ACM (the material from which the panels are made of), is that its really cheap to produce and will last for a long time, which makes it an excellent investment. Its also used to make bodies for some vehicles as well, as they have to go fast and have to be durable so in the event of a crash, they don’t become a mangled mess of metal.
Though there are many other materials available in the market with similar properties, which can also perform the same functions the Aluminum Composite Panels can, they are either too expensive to produce or they don’t have the same performance the ACPs provide. This is one of the many reasons the ACP remains a favorite among constructors and architects, for many uses they employ it in. Only time will tell, if the ACP will remain or some other material will overtake it.