Aluminum Composite Panel FAQ - Complete Guide by Shanghai Alumetal
Shanghai Alumetal Decorative Material Co., Ltd. is a professional aluminum composite panel manufacturer located in Shanghai, China.
With more than 20 years of experience in ACP manufacturing, Alumetal provides aluminum composite panel solutions including PE ACP, PVDF ACP, fire rated aluminum composite panels, signage ACP and customized panels for global customers.
This FAQ guide helps architects, contractors, distributors and importers understand aluminum composite panels, specifications, applications and supplier selection.
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACP) is a lightweight flat panel consisting of two aluminum sheets bonded to a non-aluminum core material, usually a polyethylene (PE) core, fire-resistant mineral core, or other polymer-based core.
ACP combines the advantages of aluminum and composite materials, offering excellent flatness, durability, weather resistance, and easy fabrication. It is widely used for building facades, interior decoration, signage, advertising boards, and industrial applications.
Shanghai Alumetal produces various aluminum composite panels, including PE ACP, PVDF ACP, fire rated ACP, mirror ACP, brushed ACP, wooden grain ACP, and customized decorative panels.
ACP and ACM refer to the same type of product.
- ACP (Aluminum Composite Panel) is the commonly used term worldwide, especially in Asia, Europe, and the construction industry.
- ACM (Aluminum Composite Material) is more commonly used in North America.
Both describe a composite panel made of two aluminum skins with a core material between them.
Different markets may use different names, but the product structure and applications are essentially the same.
Aluminum composite panels are widely used in:
Exterior Applications
- Building facade cladding
- Curtain wall decoration
- Commercial building exteriors
- Shopping malls and office buildings
- Residential exterior decoration
Interior Applications
- Wall decoration
- Ceiling systems
- Column covering
- Partition decoration
- Exhibition displays
Advertising Applications
- Sign boards
- Digital printing boards
- Outdoor advertising panels
- Display stands
Industrial Applications
- Transportation interiors
- Furniture decoration
- Machine covers
ACP is popular because it provides a modern appearance with lightweight installation and excellent processing performance.
The main difference is the coating performance and application environment.
| Feature | PE ACP | PVDF ACP |
|---|---|---|
| Coating | Polyester coating | PVDF fluorocarbon coating |
| Durability | Good | Excellent |
| Weather resistance | Suitable for indoor and normal outdoor use | Suitable for long-term outdoor use |
| UV resistance | Medium | High |
| Color retention | Good | Better |
| Application | Signage, interior, short-term exterior | Building facade, curtain wall |
PE Aluminum Composite Panel
PE ACP is an economical choice for:
- Advertising boards
- Interior decoration
- Retail displays
- Short-term exterior projects
PVDF Aluminum Composite Panel
PVDF ACP is recommended for:
- High-rise buildings
- Commercial facades
- Long-term outdoor projects
- Areas with strong sunlight or harsh weather conditions
For exterior facade applications, PVDF aluminum composite panels are usually recommended because they provide:
- Superior weather resistance
- Better UV protection
- Long-lasting color stability
- Excellent coating adhesion
- Resistance to temperature changes
For projects requiring higher fire safety standards, fire rated aluminum composite panels, such as B1 or A2 grade panels, are also recommended.
The suitable panel depends on:
- Building height
- Local fire regulations
- Climate conditions
- Project requirements
- Design requirements
The suitable ACP thickness depends on the application.
Common ACP Thickness:
3mm ACP
- Indoor decoration
- Advertising boards
- Signage applications
4mm ACP
- Most common thickness for exterior facade
- Commercial buildings
- Curtain wall decoration
5mm-6mm ACP
- Large-scale projects
- Higher strength requirements
- Special architectural applications
Other factors to consider:
- Aluminum skin thickness
- Core material
- Installation method
- Wind load requirements
For most building facade projects, 4mm ACP with appropriate aluminum thickness is commonly selected.
Fire rated aluminum composite panel is an ACP designed with a fire-resistant mineral core instead of a standard polyethylene core.
It provides improved:
- Fire resistance
- Flame retardancy
- Safety performance
Common fire rated ACP types include:
B1 Fire Rated ACP
- Flame retardant performance
- Suitable for many commercial buildings
A2 Fire Rated ACP
- Non-combustible or highly fire-resistant
- Used for projects with strict fire safety requirements
Fire rated ACP is commonly used in:
- High-rise buildings
- Airports
- Hospitals
- Public buildings
- Large commercial projects
When selecting an ACP supplier, buyers should evaluate:
1. Manufacturing Capability
Check:
- Production lines
- Annual capacity
- Factory experience
2. Product Quality Control
A reliable manufacturer should provide:
- Quality inspection process
- Coating tests
- Thickness inspection
- Product certificates
3. Export Experience
Choose suppliers with:
- International project experience
- Export documentation capability
- Global customer support
4. Product Range
A professional factory should offer:
- PE ACP
- PVDF ACP
- Fire rated ACP
- Decorative ACP
- Customized solutions
Shanghai Alumetal has more than 20 years of experience in aluminum composite panel manufacturing, with 12 ACP production lines and 3 coating production lines, supplying customers worldwide.
To receive an accurate quotation, buyers should provide:
Product Information
- Product type (PE / PVDF / Fire Rated)
- Application (facade, signage, interior)
- Color requirement
- Surface finish
Technical Requirements
- Panel thickness
- Aluminum skin thickness
- Panel size
- Core requirement
Order Details
- Quantity (square meters)
- Destination country
- Delivery requirement
Example:
4mm PVDF aluminum composite panel, 1220×2440mm, white color, exterior facade use, quantity 5000㎡, destination USA.
Buying directly from an ACP manufacturer provides:
Competitive Pricing
No middlemen, better factory pricing.
Quality Control
Direct communication with production teams ensures consistent quality.
Customization Support
Factories can provide:
- Custom colors
- Custom sizes
- Special specifications
- OEM services
Stable Supply
Direct factories provide:
- Production planning
- Large quantity supply capability
- Long-term cooperation support
Shanghai Alumetal is a factory-direct aluminum composite panel manufacturer in China, providing ACP solutions for distributors, importers, contractors, and building material companies worldwide.
Yes, samples are available if you are interested in our product
Our products include: Polyester (PE) aluminum composite panel, Fluorocarbon (PVDF) aluminum composite panel, Fire–resistant aluminum composite panel, Self-cleaning nano-aluminum composite panels, Spectrum aluminum composite panel, Mirror aluminum composite panel, Brushed aluminum composite panel , Wooden grain board, Granite grain board, Signage adverting aluminum composite panel, Embossed aluminum composite panel, and coated aluminum coils, aluminum sheets.
1. Width: 1000-1575mm; 1220mm, 1250mm, 1500mm are recommended.
2. Length: accept custom length, recommend 2440mm, 3050mm, 4050mm, 5000mm
3. Panel Thickness:2mm-6mm; recommend 3,4mm
4.Aluminum thickness:0.05-0.5mm
Yes, OEM accept. Just need to give us yours logo, we will send some protective film design for your choose.
Yes, stable good quality is key for long time business cooepration.
Factory have passed ISO9001:CE SGS, etc .
1. MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): 500m² but it can be less if we have stocks
2. Delivery Time: within 15 days after receiving deposit
3. Payment: 30% TT in advance ,70% against BL of copy or LC
About Shanghai Alumetal Factory
Shanghai Alumetal Decorative Material Co., Ltd. is an aluminum composite panel manufacturer in Shanghai, China.
The company has more than 20 years of ACP manufacturing experience and operates multiple production lines for aluminum composite panels and related materials.