ACM Panels With Exterior Stucco | Sky Stucco Systems Contractor

What Is ACM?

Traditionally, steel and wood frames have been the most popular materials used in building construction, but recent years have seen a growing surge in popularity for factory-engineered aluminum composite materials. These durable, versatile materials have a variety of uses and come in a number of different shapes and thicknesses, however, the manufacturing process is the same in every case. Two large, thin aluminum sheets are bonded together using a non-metal core, usually plastic polyethylene (PE) or thermoplastic mineral-filled core (FR). A fire retardant core (FR) is a panel that has a fire retardant adhesive bounded by two thin sheets of aluminum. FR core composite panels also offer similar benefits to PE core composite panels. The exception is that FR core panels offer compliance with many fire codes worldwide.

After the bonding is completed, the panel is finished using either a metallic or PVDF paint. The resulting panel looks somewhat like a sandwich, hence the alternative name aluminum sandwich panels.

While the technology to create these composite materials has been around since the ’60s, recent requirements for sleek, cost-effective architecture has really increased the use of ACM’s for cladding, insulation and signage in buildings.

Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) Options

DIBOND® — A longtime industry standard, DIBOND® comprises two pre-painted aluminum sheets (0.012 in thick each) sandwiching a solid polyethylene core. It is the flattest panel on the market, approximately one-half the weight of a solid aluminum sheet, durable for outdoor applications, and well suited for digital and screen-printed graphics. It can be routed and returned to add dimension, or roll-formed to create sweeping curves. Fabrication options also include cold mounting graphics, repositioning vinyl, painting, saw cutting, routing, and die cutting/punching. DIBOND® aluminum panel will not bow or experience “oil can” wrinkling.

DIBOND® is also available with a specialty mirror finish offering outstanding reflective properties similar to those of a conventional glass mirror, without the breakability of glass and at about half the weight. The mirror surfaces can be both screen and digitally printed as well as a laser engraved.

DIBOND® exhibits long-term application life in exhibits and kiosks; standard or archival framing; and interior, exterior, and structural signage.

Fire rating: DIBOND® is Underwriters Laboratories® Inc. recognized for UL 94V-0 and is a UL-recognized component for electrical signage. All thicknesses meet the criteria for ASTM E-84 and are Class 1 or Class A materials.

E-PANEL™ — The aluminum facers in the E-PANEL™ material are slightly thinner, at 0.008 in, than those in DIBOND®. It is recommended for flat-panel applications only. It is suitable for cold mounting graphics, repositioning vinyl, both digital and screen printing, and painting. It can be saw cut, routed, or die cut/punched.