Goodsense: Expert Tips on Selecting, Using, and Maintaining Aluminum Composite Panels

  With the rapid development of China’s economy, our daily lives are increasingly enriched by a variety of new products, ranging from electronics and renovation materials to everyday goods. The production and use of these new products have undoubtedly enhanced our quality of life and significantly improved production efficiency.

Aluminum Composite Panels are made from chemically treated, coated aluminum sheets as surface materials, with polyethylene plastic as the core material, processed on specialized Aluminum Composite Panel production equipment. The unique properties of Aluminum Composite Panels determine their wide range of applications: they can be used for building exteriors, curtain wall panels, renovations of old buildings, interior walls and ceilings, advertising signs, display stands, and dust-proofing projects. These panels are widely used domestically and are considered a new type of architectural decoration material. After marketing research, we found that the prices of Aluminum Composite Panels on the market vary, with exterior panels generally being more expensive than interior panels. Consumers should understand the market before purchasing.

Aluminum Composite Panels are composed of two materials with distinctly different properties (metal and non-metal). They retain the primary characteristics of the original 

materials (metal aluminum, non-metal polyethylene plastic) while overcoming their shortcomings, thus achieving many superior material properties, such as luxury, vibrant decorative quality, weather resistance, corrosion resistance, impact resistance, fire resistance, moisture resistance, sound insulation, heat insulation, and shock resistance. They are lightweight, easy to process and shape, and convenient to transport and install. Therefore, they are widely used in various building decorations, such as ceilings, column covers, counters, furniture, telephone booths, elevators, storefronts, billboards, and factory wall materials. They have become a representative of metal curtain walls among the three major curtain wall types (natural stone, glass curtain wall, metal curtain wall). In developed countries, Aluminum Composite Panels are also used in the manufacture of buses, train carriages, airplanes, and ships as soundproof materials, and in designing instrument cases. Aluminum Composite Panels have many advantages over other similar materials, and with proper maintenance and care during use, they can maintain their bright, smooth surface and effectively extend their life circle.

At this point, many people may wonder: what are the maintenance and care considerations for Aluminum Composite Panels in daily use? Here are the daily maintenance and care tips for Aluminum Composite Panels compiled by Guangzhou Goodsense, shared for everyone's reference.

1. Regular Inspection and Maintenance During Use:

We know that during the use of Aluminum Composite Panels, they may deform or rust due to humid air and exposure to the elements, or be damaged by external forces. Users need to timely repair and maintain these panels to ensure their normal service life.

2. Regular Cleaning and Maintenance:

Long-term use of Aluminum Composite Panels can accumulate dust and grease on their surface, so regular cleaning and maintenance are necessary. Otherwise, it will seriously affect their service life. Note: When cleaning and maintaining Aluminum Composite Panels, use soft cloths for gentle wiping.

3. Keep Aluminum Composite Panels Away from Water Sources:

Aluminum Composite Panels are prone to deformation, especially in humid environments. Therefore, they should be kept away from water sources and maintained in relatively dry environments.

Common Quality Issues in Aluminum Composite Panel Curtain Wall Projects:

1. Discoloration and Fading:

Discoloration and fading of Aluminum Composite Panels are mainly caused by improper material selection. Aluminum Composite Panels are divided into interior and exterior panels, with different surface coatings suited for different environments. Interior panels usually have resin coatings that cannot withstand harsh outdoor conditions, leading to accelerated aging and discoloration when used outside. Exterior panels typically use fluorocarbon resin coatings with strong anti-aging and UV resistance, which are expensive. Some construction units deceive owners by using interior panels as high-quality, anti-aging fluorocarbon panels to gain unreasonable profits, causing serious discoloration and fading in projects.

2. Adhesive Failure and Detachment:

Adhesive failure and detachment of Aluminum Composite Panels are primarily due to improper adhesive selection. Silicone sealant is an ideal adhesive for exterior Aluminum Composite Panel projects due to its superior qualities. Previously, silicone sealant was mainly imported and costly, only used in high-value curtain wall projects. Now, different brands of silicone sealants are produced domestically, significantly reducing prices. When purchasing Aluminum Composite Panels, vendors often recommend fast-drying adhesives suitable for indoor use, which can lead to adhesive failure and detachment in variable outdoor climates.

3. Surface Deformation and Bulging:

Surface deformation and bulging of Aluminum Composite Panels can be caused by multiple factors. Initially, these issues were thought to be due to the panel's quality. However, analysis revealed that the main problem lies in the substrate material used for adhering the Aluminum Composite Panels, followed by the panel quality. Vendors often provide construction techniques using high-density boards or plywood as substrates. These materials have a short lifespan when used outdoors, deforming after exposure to the elements. Hence, the ideal outdoor substrate should be a rust-treated steel or aluminum frame. Such metal substrates are not significantly more expensive than wooden or high-density boards but ensure project quality.

4. Neat Adhesive Seams:

When decorating building surfaces with Aluminum Composite Panels, gaps of a certain width are left between panels, usually filled with black sealant for aesthetic reasons. Some workers, to save time, use the protective film on the Aluminum Composite Panel as a substitute for paper tape to ensure neat adhesive seams. However, the protective film often tears during panel cutting, making it unsuitable as a substitute, resulting in uneven adhesive seams.

5. Considerations for Using Aluminum Composite Panels:

(1) Store or install Aluminum Composite Panels in dry, ventilated places, avoiding water accumulation, and keep the environment temperature below 70°C. Avoid installing in abnormal environments such as those with smoke, dust, strong winds, radiation, harmful gases, and chemicals.

(2) Panels should be laid flat during transportation or storage. Lift all four edges simultaneously when moving to avoid scratching the surface.

(3) Use round-headed or ≥90° V-shaped flat-headed saw blades or milling cutters for grooving. Leave a 0.2-0.3mm thick plastic core layer with the panel for bending to increase strength and toughness and prevent aluminum sheet hydrogenation. Sharp bends or excessive thickness of the remaining plastic can cause panel cracking or paint film rupture.

(4) Apply even force when bending, forming in one go without repeated bending to avoid panel cracking.

(5) To maintain flatness and enhance wind resistance, reinforce bent edges with a frame and adhere it with adhesive to the panel.

(6) When decorating curved surfaces, use bending equipment to gradually achieve the desired curve, avoiding abrupt bending. The bending radius should be greater than 750px.

(7) Install panels on the same plane in the same directional flow to avoid color differences.

(8) Remove protective film within 45 days of panel installation to prevent aging due to prolonged sunlight exposure, which may cause adhesive residue.

(9) Interior panels should be used indoors, not outdoors, to ensure their lifespan.

(10) If the panel surface gets polluted during construction or use, clean gently with a neutral detergent or alcohol, avoiding strong acids and alkalis.

Guangzhou Goodsense reminds consumers that the prices of Aluminum Composite Panels vary by specification and use. Understand the market before purchasing, and ensure proper maintenance and care during use.