Aluminum Composite Material
Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) is a rigid metal sheet fabricated from two sheets of pre-finished aluminum and bonded to a polyethylene core. Durable and lightweight, Aluminum Composite Material sheets are generally used for channel letter backings and outdoor signage. SpeedPro large format printing can digitally direct print to, or mount directly onto ACM. ACM does not bow or oil can (a slight buckling seen in some metal sheet materials that looks like waves). It is a flat, rigid material, lighter than aluminum, with excellent durability that can be routed, cut, or roll-formed. ACM will lay flatter than traditional aluminum sheets which is why it will not oil can and doesn’t suffer from the rippling effects of other metallic substrates. ACM is more cost-effective than a simple aluminum sheet fabricated in the same gauge.
Aluminum Composite Panels (ACP) is the term for an ACM formed into a panel substrate. Generally, it’s used as economic and effective outdoor signage such as store-front signs, parking lot signage and plaques. ACPs are rigid with an inner resin layer covered by aluminum.
Colors printed on Aluminum Composite Material come out very vibrantly with great quality and depth of field. And for the pocketbook, the choice over aluminum is clear as the polyethylene bond makes it cheaper and lighter than aluminum alone.
MaxMetal is a specific product type composed of Aluminum Composite Material using two pre-painted sheets of thin aluminum over the solid polyethylene core. ACM is about ten times stronger than aluminum alone. The panels are about half as heavy as standard aluminum sheets while being thicker. ACM material is great for outdoor usage due to its weather resistance and the fact that it stays flat without bowing or bending over time, which makes it ideal for mounting. However routing, returning, and roll-forming are viable modifications. SpeedPro recommends the use of Max Metal when printing menu boards, posters and retail cabinet signs. Commonly available weights are 3mm and 6mm, but other thicknesses can be acquired upon request.
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