Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP)
Overview
Thermosash undertake a lot of building envelope work using ACM (Aluminium Composite Material) also known as ACP (Aluminium Composite Panel) or MCM (Metal Composite Material) due to it being a highly versatile sheet product for both internal and external applications. The sheet is produced by continuously bonding two thin sheets of aluminium or metal on either side of an extruded thermoplastic or mineral-filled thermoplastic core. When the sandwich metal is aluminium they are generally pre-finished and coil-coated in a variety of high performance long lasting paint finishes before bonding. The sheet system offers the rigidity of heavy-gauge sheetmetal in a lightweight composite material. Alternative metal surfaces are now available - offering varying linished metal finishes, stainless steel, natural copper, natural zinc, as well as high quality surface images of aged or patina metals, wood grains etc - offering long colour fast, durable finishes with similar warranty periods.
Introduction
ACP (Aluminium Composite Panel) also known as ACM (Aluminium Composite Material) or MCM (Metal Composite Material) is a versatile sheet product used in the building industry for internal and external applications. The sheet is produced by continuously bonding two thin sheets of aluminium or metal on either side of an extruded thermoplastic or mineral-filled thermoplastic core. The aluminium surfaces are generally pre-finished and coil-coated in a variety of paint finishes before bonding. The sheet system offers the rigidity of heavy-gauge sheet metal in a lightweight composite material.
Fire Rating
Thermosash has been primarily utilizing Fire Rated ACM (complying with AS1530 Part 3) on external building facades due to the core of non-fire rated products ability to sustain fire. It is our opinion that despite the non-fire rated version being allowed to be used for external cladding - it is not appropriate and NZ codes should be changed to reflect this. This picture indicates a high rise fire with a non rated ACM. Not only is the specification a concern for life safety in a building but for those outside also from falling debris.
Thermosash Capability
We have been integrating building envelopes with ACM and MCM for many years and have the expertise and engineering capability together with some of the most sophisticated in-house machinery to undertake simple folds through to complex curved building cladding projects.
Finishes
ACM - The aluminium surfaced material is best known for its high quality low maintenance PVF2 paint finishes, which are available in a large colour range plus specials such as anodised, metallics, timber finishes, prismatic, matts, gloss etc.
MCM - The metal surfaced options offer special metal finishes, including stainless steel (inclding, various brushed finishes etc), copper and zinc.
Product Features
- Superior flatness.
- Long life / low maintenance.
- Lightweight and rigid for its thickness.
- Thermally stable.
- Large range of finishes from PVF2 paint coated to special metals.
- Flexible product, can used as flat sheet, complex folded or architecturally rolled.
Available also in a Fire Resistant core (Thermosash recommend the specification of this option due to the potential supporting of fire from standard core product).
Suppliers
As with all products there are many suppliers offering varying product quality and manufacturing processes and quality control. Due to the complex manufacturing process required to manufacture this product and the life expectancy once installed on your project.Thermosash recommend the following manufacturers of ACM and MCM product - Click on the companies below to go to their websites for colours and finishes available etc. Please note that minimum order quantities apply to some colours and finishes.
Contact Thermosash to discuss your project.
