Industry Experts Share How to Design with Metal Composite Materials
Gain insights on designing with MCM for architectural sheet metal projects
Architects like designing with metal composite materials, otherwise known as MCM or ACM. They are popular among those in the design world because of their versatility, flexibility, and durability.
“Because it’s formable and lightweight, it can be used to adapt to pretty much any situation,” said Samuel Chastain, director of commercial operations at Buford, Georgia-based ALFREX, Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of fire-retardant ACM sheets.
MCM can be used in both interior and exterior applications and can be used as a decorative option for everything from custom signage, acoustical panels, sunshades, entryway features, artwork and so much more.
Systems
“There are a lot of systems out there, but there’s two buckets that a lot of them fall into. One is wet joint system, and the other is dry joint system,” said John Trifonoff, vice president of East Coast Metal Systems, a West Virginia-based MCM fabricator and installer.
With the route and return wet joint system, also known as a barrier façade, fully proper installation of the sealant is critical because it’s the primary weather barrier for the building. This system is tested to the ASTM standards E283, E330, and E331.
Route and return dry joint systems are more prevalent in the industry today. “A lot of buildings are going the way of rainscreen systems,” Trifinoff said. These fall into two categories:
- Drained/back ventilated (D/BV) systems, has an open joint and a ventilated cavity behind the panel system that lets water and moisture in and out of the system. This type of system is supported by AMMA 509.
- Pressure equalized rainscreen (PER) systems works with a ventilation cavity and compartmentalized components for pressure equalization. When moisture enters the pressure-equalized vented cavity, it is allowed to drain from the system. This system is backed by AMMA 508.
Building safety
Building safety is critical, which is why all MCM sheets produced by the manufacturer must be tested, inspected, and labeled by third-party inspection. This is a requirement of the ICC-IBC sec. 1406.14 and sec. 1703.5.
MCM panel systems used in architectural designs over 40 feet must pass NFPA-285 per IBC.
According to the ASCA, installed MCM systems should accommodate the specified loads (wind and structural) without permanent deformation. They should also accommodate expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature. These standards are set for manufacturers, fabricators, and installers, and the specified panel system should meet them all.
Finishes
MCM finishes establish a higher standard for interior and exterior finishes which differentiates MCM from other cladding materials. Two and three coat, metallic, and solid finishes, color shifting paints, natural faux wood grains, and stone are available to the designer. The high-tech finishes should meet the criteria of AAMA 2605, which ensures quality, durability, longevity, and resilience from environmental forces for which MCM is known.
The composition of MCM makes it versatile and flexible while maintaining its durability. The advantages are limitless as it can be fully customized to meet the project design requirements. Applications of MCM provide the desired aesthetic and functionality for every architectural market segment.
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