Composite materials

Composite materials consist of at least two different materials, the surfaces of which are fully joined to one another; they are used for signs and fronts.

A typical use is the composite front plate: Usually it consists of a back-printed plastic film (e.g. made of polycarbonate) and a carrier plate (e.g. made of aluminium), which are bonded to one another congruently. Besides, many multifaceted combinations are possible.

Included among the composite materials is the laminate Resopal^®, which is used for engraving.

Properties and benefits

Properties can be influenced by the choice of material
The benefits of different materials can be combined by composite materials

Uses

Type plates, rating plates • Brand mark signs, emblems • Scales, gauges, dials • Blanks, die cut parts, functional parts • Barcode signs • Front plates, front panels

Production methods

Printed, back-printed, anodized, engraved, laser inscribed

Materials

Aluminium
Stainless steel
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
Polycarbonate (PC)
(other) polyesters
Polystyrene (PS)
Resopal^®

Material thickness

Overall thicknesses of 0.2 mm to 6.0 mm, depending on the materials used

Surfaces

A wide range of surfaces, depending on the material

Aluminium

Aluminium (Al) is the third most common chemical element and the most common metal in the earth's crust. It is of high importance for the production of industrial signage.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel in various alloys is used for signs, front plates, and front panels. Usually it is etched or engraved.

Brass

Industrial signage made of brass is etched or engraved and is used as signs, front plates, and front panels.

Plastics

Plastics are used as sheet material for signs, front plates, and front panels and as film material for front films, keyboard films, and labels. Plastics are also used as protective films, laminates, or casting resins.