SIP

Structural Insulated Panels or Structural Insulated Panels** (commonly referred to as SIP) are panels used as a construction material.

ACP

Aluminum composite panels (ACP), made from aluminum composite material (ACM), are flat panels consisting of two thin coil-coated aluminum sheets bonded to a non-aluminum core. ACPs are frequently used for external cladding or building facades, insulation and signage.[13]​.

ACP is mainly used for external and internal architectural cladding or partitions, false ceilings, signage, machine cladding, container construction, among other uses. ACP applications are not limited to the exterior cladding of buildings, but can also be used on any form of cladding such as internal walls, false ceilings, etc. ACP is also widely used in the signage industry as an alternative to heavier and more expensive substrates.

ACP has been used as a lightweight but very strong material in construction, particularly for transitional structures such as trade show stands and similar temporary features. Recently it has also been adopted as a support material for mounting fine art photographs, often with an acrylic finish using processes such as Diasec or other face mounting techniques. ACP material has been used in famous structures such as Spaceship Earth, the VanDusen Botanical Garden and the Leipzig branch of the German National Library.[14]​.

These structures made optimal use of ACP through its cost, durability and efficiency. Its flexibility, low weight and easy forming and processing allow for an innovative design with greater rigidity and durability. Where the core material is flammable, use should be considered. The standard ACP core is polyethylene (PE) or polyurethane (PU). These materials do not have good fire resistance (FR) properties unless specially treated and are therefore generally not suitable as a construction material for housing; several jurisdictions have banned its use entirely.[15]​ Arconic, owner of the Reynobond brand, warns the potential buyer. Regarding the core, he says the panel's distance from the ground is a determining factor in "what materials are safest to use." In one brochure he has a graphic of a building on fire, with the legend "[w]hen the building is taller than the fire brigade ladders, it has to be designed with a non-combustible material." It shows that the Reynobond polyethylene product is for up to around 10 meters; the fireproof product (c. 70% mineral core) from there to c. 30 meters, the height of the staircase; and European product rated A2 (c. 90% mineral core) for anything above that. In this brochure, Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings: Our Fire Solutions, product specifications are only provided for the last two products.[16]​.

The cladding materials, in this case with a highly combustible polyethylene (PE) core, were considered the main cause of the rapid spread of flames in the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London.[17] It has also been involved in high-rise building fires in Melbourne, Australia; France; The United Arab Emirates; South Korea; and the United States.[18]​ Fire resistant cores (usually designated as "FR" by manufacturers) are a safer alternative as they have a maximum of 30% polyethylene content and self-extinguish in the absence of heat/ventilation.[19]​ As with any construction product, suitability for use depends on many other products and methods. In the case of ACP, building codes in the US have many requirements related to wall assembly depending on the materials used and the type of construction. When these building codes are followed, core FR products are safe. Please note that the term ACP does not apply to sandwich panels with mineral wool cores, which belong to the category of insulated metal panels (IMP).

Aluminum sheets can be coated with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), fluoropolymer resins (FEVE) or polyester paint. Aluminum can be painted any type of color, and ACPs are manufactured in a wide range of metallic and non-metallic colors, as well as patterns that imitate other materials, such as wood or marble. The core is usually low-density polyethylene (PE) or a mixture of low-density polyethylene and mineral material to exhibit flame retardant properties.[13]​.

The company 3A Composites (formerly Alcan Composites & Alusuisse) invented aluminum composites in 1964, as a joint invention with BASF, and commercial production of Alucobond began in 1969. The product was patented in 1971, a patent that expired in 1991. After the expiration of the patent, several companies started commercial production, such as Reynobond (1991), Alpolic (Mitsubishi Chemicals, 1995), etalbond (1995). Today it is estimated that more than 200 companies around the world are producing ACP.

SIP

Structural Insulated Panels or Structural Insulated Panels** (commonly referred to as SIP) are panels used as a construction material.

ACP

Aluminum composite panels (ACP), made from aluminum composite material (ACM), are flat panels consisting of two thin coil-coated aluminum sheets bonded to a non-aluminum core. ACPs are frequently used for external cladding or building facades, insulation and signage.[13]​.

ACP is mainly used for external and internal architectural cladding or partitions, false ceilings, signage, machine cladding, container construction, among other uses. ACP applications are not limited to the exterior cladding of buildings, but can also be used on any form of cladding such as internal walls, false ceilings, etc. ACP is also widely used in the signage industry as an alternative to heavier and more expensive substrates.

ACP has been used as a lightweight but very strong material in construction, particularly for transitional structures such as trade show stands and similar temporary features. Recently it has also been adopted as a support material for mounting fine art photographs, often with an acrylic finish using processes such as Diasec or other face mounting techniques. ACP material has been used in famous structures such as Spaceship Earth, the VanDusen Botanical Garden and the Leipzig branch of the German National Library.[14]​.

These structures made optimal use of ACP through its cost, durability and efficiency. Its flexibility, low weight and easy forming and processing allow for an innovative design with greater rigidity and durability. Where the core material is flammable, use should be considered. The standard ACP core is polyethylene (PE) or polyurethane (PU). These materials do not have good fire resistance (FR) properties unless specially treated and are therefore generally not suitable as a construction material for housing; several jurisdictions have banned its use entirely.[15]​ Arconic, owner of the Reynobond brand, warns the potential buyer. Regarding the core, he says the panel's distance from the ground is a determining factor in "what materials are safest to use." In one brochure he has a graphic of a building on fire, with the legend "[w]hen the building is taller than the fire brigade ladders, it has to be designed with a non-combustible material." It shows that the Reynobond polyethylene product is for up to around 10 meters; the fireproof product (c. 70% mineral core) from there to c. 30 meters, the height of the staircase; and European product rated A2 (c. 90% mineral core) for anything above that. In this brochure, Fire Safety in High-Rise Buildings: Our Fire Solutions, product specifications are only provided for the last two products.[16]​.

The cladding materials, in this case with a highly combustible polyethylene (PE) core, were considered the main cause of the rapid spread of flames in the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London.[17] It has also been involved in high-rise building fires in Melbourne, Australia; France; The United Arab Emirates; South Korea; and the United States.[18]​ Fire resistant cores (usually designated as "FR" by manufacturers) are a safer alternative as they have a maximum of 30% polyethylene content and self-extinguish in the absence of heat/ventilation.[19]​ As with any construction product, suitability for use depends on many other products and methods. In the case of ACP, building codes in the US have many requirements related to wall assembly depending on the materials used and the type of construction. When these building codes are followed, core FR products are safe. Please note that the term ACP does not apply to sandwich panels with mineral wool cores, which belong to the category of insulated metal panels (IMP).

Aluminum sheets can be coated with polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), fluoropolymer resins (FEVE) or polyester paint. Aluminum can be painted any type of color, and ACPs are manufactured in a wide range of metallic and non-metallic colors, as well as patterns that imitate other materials, such as wood or marble. The core is usually low-density polyethylene (PE) or a mixture of low-density polyethylene and mineral material to exhibit flame retardant properties.[13]​.

The company 3A Composites (formerly Alcan Composites & Alusuisse) invented aluminum composites in 1964, as a joint invention with BASF, and commercial production of Alucobond began in 1969. The product was patented in 1971, a patent that expired in 1991. After the expiration of the patent, several companies started commercial production, such as Reynobond (1991), Alpolic (Mitsubishi Chemicals, 1995), etalbond (1995). Today it is estimated that more than 200 companies around the world are producing ACP.