Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)
Aluminum composite panel (ACM, also ACP or by brand Alucobond, Dibond, Alpolic, Reynobond) is a sandwich sheet of two 0.2–0.5 mm coil-coated aluminum skins (3003 / 5005 class, usually PVDF or polyester painted on the face side) bonded to a 3–6 mm polyethylene or mineral-filled core.
Values for the PE Core condition
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) grades and fills
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. PE Core is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PE CoreDefault PE core: standard polyethylene core, non-fire-rated | Economy build for signage, enclosures and interior panels; combustible core, not for fire-rated façades. | — | — | — | — |
FR core: mineral-filled fire-retardant core (B-s1,d0 / ASTM E84 Class A) | Mineral-filled core for exterior cladding where a Euroclass B or Class A flame-spread rating is required. | — | — | — | — |
A2 core: non-combustible mineral core (A2-s1,d0) | Non-combustible core (≥ 90 % mineral) for high-rise and code-driven façades; heaviest and least foldable build. | — | — | — | — |
What is Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)?
Aluminum composite panel (ACM, also ACP or by brand Alucobond, Dibond, Alpolic, Reynobond) is a sandwich sheet of two 0.2–0.5 mm coil-coated aluminum skins (3003 / 5005 class, usually PVDF or polyester painted on the face side) bonded to a 3–6 mm polyethylene or mineral-filled core. It is flat, stiff for its weight (a 4 mm panel weighs about 5.5 kg/m², a fifth of solid 4 mm aluminum for similar bending stiffness), routes and saws cleanly with carbide tooling, and folds along a V-groove routed through the back skin and core. Standard cores: PE (economy, combustible), FR (mineral-filled, B-s1,d0 / ASTM E84 Class A) and A2 (non-combustible, ≥ 90 % mineral). Typical uses are façade cladding, signage, enclosure and equipment panels, display and exhibit builds, and solar or telecom tower skins. Limits: an 80 °C service ceiling set by the core, no welding, edges that expose the core must be capped or sealed, and PE-core panels are excluded from fire-rated façades in most jurisdictions. Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), lighter than 75% of composite grades. Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) has a yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
What is Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) used for?
- Façade and rainscreen cladding
- signage and display panels
- equipment and electrical enclosures
- solar and telecom tower skins
- trade-show and retail fixtures
- vehicle and trailer body panels
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 55/100, better than 100% of composite grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 5%, better than 86% of composite grades
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 85% of composite grades
- Lightweight — 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), better than 75% of composite grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 80°C (176 °F), worse than 94% of composite grades
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) properties
Typical room-temperature values for Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)-PE Core; bars are the position among composite grades.
Physical1
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), lighter than 75% of composite grades.
Mechanical4
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) has a yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of composite grades. Elongation at break is 5% and the elastic modulus is 70 GPa (10.2 Msi).
Thermal5
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is rated for continuous service to 80°C (176 °F). It conducts heat at 0.4 W/m·K (0.231 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 53% of composite grades. Thermal expansion is 24 µm/m·K (13.3 µin/in·°F).
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), worse than 52% of composite grades. UV resistance is excellent.
Manufacturability3
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)'s machinability is very good (80/100, better than 85% of composite grades); weldability not recommended (5/100); formability good (55/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the composite family
Yield strength against density for every composite grade FabDigit runs. Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)
Is Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) easy to machine?
Route, saw or shear with carbide tooling; single-flute or O-flute router bits at high spindle speed give a clean edge without melting the core. Drill with sharp twist drills and back the panel to avoid skin burr. Waterjet also cuts it well; laser is not used (the PE core burns and the paint scorches).
Can Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) be welded?
Not weldable. Join with rivets, self-clinching hardware, adhesive tapes or structural adhesive, or with the folded-return-and-rivet detail used on cladding cassettes.
Can Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) be formed, bent or molded?
Fold along a 90–110° V-groove routed through the back skin and core, leaving the face skin as the hinge (minimum inside radius about the skin thickness); do not press-brake the full panel because the core delaminates. Gentle roll-curving of the whole panel is possible down to roughly 300 mm radius.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM). Every Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Good55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Not recommended5 / 100 |
| Bendable | No |
| Sheet thickness range | 3 – 6 mm |
What surface finishes work on Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)?
Supplied factory-finished (PVDF or polyester coil coat on the face, mill or primer on the back) with a peel-off protective film; keep the film on through routing. Cut edges expose the core and are usually capped with extrusions, folded returns or edge sealant. Field painting and anodizing are not applicable; printing and vinyl application take well on the coated face.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on composite parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Organic Coating
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- Aluminum Composite MaterialAluminium Composite PanelAluminum Composite Panel
How much does Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) cost?
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is a standard-cost composite ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) — frequently asked
What is Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) used for?
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is typically used for façade and rainscreen cladding, signage and display panels, equipment and electrical enclosures, solar and telecom tower skins, trade-show and retail fixtures and vehicle and trailer body panels. In short: flat, stiff and light; routes and V-groove folds cleanly; PVDF factory finish; core choice sets the fire rating.
What is the yield strength of Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)?
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) has a typical yield strength of 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) and a tensile strength of 130 MPa (18.9 ksi) — weaker than 74% of composite grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 3 listed tempers.
Is Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 85% of composite grades). Route, saw or shear with carbide tooling; single-flute or O-flute router bits at high spindle speed give a clean edge without melting the core. Drill with sharp twist drills and back the panel to avoid skin burr. Waterjet also cuts it well; laser is not used (the PE core burns and the paint scorches).
Can Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated not recommended (5/100). Not weldable. Join with rivets, self-clinching hardware, adhesive tapes or structural adhesive, or with the folded-return-and-rivet detail used on cladding cassettes.
What surface finishes work on Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)?
Supplied factory-finished (PVDF or polyester coil coat on the face, mill or primer on the back) with a peel-off protective film; keep the film on through routing. Cut edges expose the core and are usually capped with extrusions, folded returns or edge sealant. Field painting and anodizing are not applicable; printing and vinyl application take well on the coated face.
Can Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) be formed, bent or molded?
Fold along a 90–110° V-groove routed through the back skin and core, leaving the face skin as the hinge (minimum inside radius about the skin thickness); do not press-brake the full panel because the core delaminates. Gentle roll-curving of the whole panel is possible down to roughly 300 mm radius.
What is the maximum service temperature of Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)?
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is rated for continuous use to about 80°C (176 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) cost?
Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is a standard-cost composite ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM)?
Yes — Aluminum Composite Panel (ACM) is available for sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Aluminum composite panel producer datasheets (Alucobond, Dibond, Alpolic, Reynobond) and GB/T 17748 (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.