The difference between aluminum panel and aluminum-plastic panel

In the construction and decoration industry, the use of aluminum panels and aluminum-plastic panels is very common. They have a beautiful and elegant appearance, and the decorative effect is also quite good. However, many people are not aware of the difference between the two. In fact, this difference covers multiple aspects such as materials, weight, price, installation, etc., which are all details worth our in-depth understanding.

Aluminum plate, a pure metal, inherits the inherent characteristics of metals. Its texture is pure, both sturdy and stable. In contrast, aluminum-plastic panels only use treated metal on the surface, while the middle part is made of polyethylene plastic. This unique structure endows aluminum-plastic panels with distinctive characteristics, such as lighter weight and good flexibility, which are largely influenced by the middle layer of plastic. The purity or quality of aluminum-plastic panels from different origins may vary, for example, aluminum panels produced in regions with a more developed metal industry may have more reliable quality.

From a cost perspective, aluminum plates, as pure metal materials, usually have higher production costs. Relatively speaking, aluminum-plastic panels have a relatively low overall cost due to the addition of plastic components.

Under the same thickness and specifications, the weight of aluminum panels far exceeds that of aluminum-plastic panels. This is mainly because aluminum panels are mainly composed of metal, while aluminum-plastic panels contain a large amount of plastic to reduce weight. As for the price, aluminum panels are usually higher than aluminum-plastic panels. Taking a 2.5mm thick aluminum veneer as an example, if it is coated with polyester or fluorocarbon, factors such as aluminum quality and processing drawings need to be considered. Generally, the price of the flat panel is around 250 yuan. The price of aluminum-plastic panels depends on the thickness of the aluminum and the type of plastic, usually around 40 yuan per square meter for interior wall panels and around 100 yuan per square meter for exterior wall panels. Prices may also be affected by market conditions, such as during the peak decoration season when material demand surges.

The installation process of aluminum panels and aluminum-plastic panels has similarities, but there are also differences. Aluminum plates are directly transported to the construction site after processing and forming, ensuring that their shape and size meet the design requirements. In contrast, aluminum-plastic panels are processed and formed on construction sites. The different conditions at the construction site may have an impact on installation, such as the inconvenience of on-site processing of aluminum-plastic panels due to limited space. In addition, the experience of construction personnel is equally important for the installation effect, and experienced workers can more effectively solve problems encountered during the installation process.

Checking whether the surface of aluminum-plastic panels is smooth, without ripples, bubbles, bumps, or scratches is a key identification step. If the equipment on the aluminum-plastic panel production line is advanced, the surface of the produced aluminum-plastic panel is usually smoother. However, when transportation or storage conditions are poor, the surface of aluminum-plastic panels may be damaged, such as bubbles that may occur when stored in humid environments. And good storage conditions help aluminum-plastic panels maintain a good appearance.

In practical selection, special attention should be paid to checking areas such as edges and corners that are prone to problems, as these areas often conceal flaws.

It is crucial to ensure that aluminum-plastic panels comply with international standards, with interior wall panels measuring 3 millimeters and exterior wall panels measuring 4 millimeters or thicker. The thickness of the aluminum plate must also reach 0.5 millimeters. The use of formal quality inspection equipment is crucial for ensuring the accuracy of measurements. Lack of measurement tools may lead to erroneous conclusions. Although the sizes of aluminum-plastic panels from different brands generally meet the standards, subtle differences still exist. Brands with rigorous production processes often outperform in terms of dimensional accuracy.

Multiple points need to be selected for detection during measurement, which can improve the accuracy of the data. At the same time, doing so can reduce erroneous judgments caused by local deformation of the board and other reasons.

If one corner of the folded aluminum-plastic panel easily breaks, it may not be pure PE material or doped with other substances. During the operation, if it is not an authentic PE material, its toughness is often insufficient. Conduct a combustion test on the intermediate material of aluminum-plastic panels. Pure PE material should have no impurities after combustion, while the combustion of doped fake materials will produce impurities. High quality products produced by legitimate manufacturers, with intermediate materials that have relatively stable flammability. When bending the groove, observe whether the front is broken, which helps to determine the bonding between the front material and the middle material. For the fluorocarbon coating of exterior wall panels, use butanone for testing; For the coating of interior wall panels, xylene is used for identification. After 5 minutes, wipe off the reagent and observe if the background color is exposed. This process should be strictly carried out according to the accurate ratio of the reagent. Incorrect reagent ratio may lead to inaccurate detection. When purchasing, you should request quality inspection reports, quality assurance certificates, and ISO-9002 international quality certification from the manufacturer. Regular manufacturers usually provide these materials, which is also a strong guarantee for product quality.