DIBOND® was originally developed in 1992 by 3A Composites as one of the first Aluminium Composite sheets for the display and signage markets. The panel combines two 0.3 mm aluminium surface layers with a polyethylene core and comes with a protective film on both sides. Front and reverse side are either stove lacquered, with white or coloured surfaces and with either matt or high-gloss surfaces, anodized or even textured.
DIBOND®digital is the first aluminium composite material with a lacquer system that is optimised for direct to substrate digital printing. The surface of the new DIBOND®digital provides enhanced ink adhesion for UV-curing and solvent based inks. The combination of both the enhanced ink adhesion and the extreme flatness of the panel make it not only possible to be printed with very fine structures and lines when printing but also allow an increased printing speed. In fact, in its cross hatch test the result achieved in various printing tests at printing machine manufacturers was an impressive 0. The thickness tolerance of only 0.2 mm allow a very small clearance between panel and the print heads. DIBOND®digital is furthermore UV-resistant and can be used with temperatures up to 80 °C resulting in two remarkable advantages: first, the UV lamps would not cause any distortion and second, the material can be used outside being resistant to any temperature changes. Therefore DIBOND®digital is widely specified for both internal and external signs in advertising campaigns, exhibitions and event marketing, photomounting as well as for hoardings and where ever there is the need for high quality imaging and long service life. Compared to standard DIBOND®, DIBOND®digital comes with 0.2 mm aluminium layers making it ideal for plane applications. For large size signage and complex processing (e. g. folding techniques) we recommend to use DIBOND® with 0.3 mm aluminium layers. Otherwise DIBOND®digital can be processed just as standard DIBOND®.
At a glance:
- 0.2 mm aluminium layers
- New lacquer system with enhanced ink adhesion optimised for direct to substrate digital printing
- Increased printing speed possible
- UV- resistant and resistant to temperature changes between -50 °C up to +80 °C – perfect for outside use
- Perfect printing results – Cross Hatch Test = 0
- Extremely flat, strong and rigid
Standard formats ex works
| Thickness | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard formats (W x L) | ||
| 1250 x 2500 | * | * |
| 1500 x 3050 | * | * |
Dimensions are in mm
Cut-to-size formats are available from your local DIBOND®distributor.
New to the DIBOND® range, DIBOND®decor is a selection of aluminium composite panels with realistic wood effect finishes. Designers looking for a sustainable, durable and easy-to-fabricate alternative to hardwoods will appreciate this new development. Compared to real wood, DIBOND®decor is not sensitive to dampness and temperature changes and can therefore be used in long term external and internal applications, with no need for maintenance. Three dimensional designs can be implemented easily, as the sheets can be routed and folded like other DIBOND® products. This characteristic provides another crucial advantage over real woods: the material can be pre-routed, and delivered to site flat. Folding to finished shape can then be carried out by hand, with no tools, on site – in a matter of minutes. Other standard fabrication techniques including drilling, sawing and stamping, can also be employed. DIBOND®decor is an excellent material for direct-to-substrate screen and digital printing, making it suitable for presenting images and advertising messages. It is ideal for use in design schemes for all kinds of commercial, retail and leisure facilities. Typical applications include fascias and wall finishes, point-of-sale displays, bars and counters, furniture and exhibitions. DIBOND®decor is available in maple, wenge, walnut and rosewood.
At a glance:
- Resistant to temperature changes between -50 °C up to +80 °C
- Low weight compared to real wood saving efforts costs with handling, transport and installation
- Highly suited to direct-to-substrate digital printing
- Optimum processing parameters – including easy bending
- No maintenance costs
Standard formats ex works
| Thickness | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard formats (W x L) | |||
| 1500 x 3050 | * | * | * |
Dimensions are in mm
Cut-to-size formats are available from your local DIBOND®distributor.
The reflective DIBOND® surface for the display area boasts similar reflective attributes to a conventional glass mirror – but it does not break and it only weighs about half as much. DIBOND®mirror creates more light and reflection transparency indoors and is therefore the first choice in the interior designs of shops, hotels, bars and other places of leisure. It is also popular in the area of trade fair design and for applications in public buildings where safety takes precedence. Thanks to its printability using screen printing and direct digital printing or through laser printing, DIBOND®mirror can also be optimally used to carry advertising messages. In terms of its processing, DIBOND®mirror boasts almost the same qualities as the standard DIBOND®; it only allows for limited folding or bending, however. DIBOND®mirror picks up points when it is compared with mirrors which are made out of plastic because the surface of the mirror does not flake off when it is cut to size. In terms of its mounting, it is noteworthy that DIBOND®mirror is less sensitive to pressure than glass, which often shatters when it is tightly mounted, and that it is also less sensitive than them, which often warp at their fastening points or to temperature change that often results in acrylic mirrors distorting. DIBOND®mirror is available in standard mirror as well as in the variants gold and anthracite.
At a glance:
- Similar reflective quality to a conventional glass mirror
- Break resistant and low weight advantages in terms of handling, transport and installation
- Surface of mirror does not flake off during cutting
- Less sensitive to pressure than glass or acrylic: problem- free mounting without warping
- More resistant to temperature changes reducing distortion
- Highly printable using screen or digital printing
- Different product versions for internal and external uses
Standard formats ex works
| Thickness | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard formats (W x L) | ||
| 1250 x 2500 | * | * |
| 1250 x 3050 | * | * |
| 1250 x 4050 | * | * |
Dimensions are in mm
Cut-to-size formats are available from your local DIBOND®distributor.
Many applications in the private and public sectors meanwhile require materials to conform with certified standards for fire performance. For these, we have developed DIBOND®FR: a composite panel with two aluminium cover layers and a mineral core – as a result of which this composite product has been given the fire classification “fire retardant”. DIBOND®FR meets fire classification class B s1, d0 according to EN 13501-1, the new European standard norm. This classification is achieved without the addition of halogenated fire retardants, making the material non-toxic. DIBOND®FR can be used in a variety of applications, wherever increased fire protection regulations are in place: airports, metros, trade fair halls, shopping malls, public buildings, shops and interior panelling or guidance systems using displays and signs. DIBOND®FR can be processed in exactly the same way as other DIBOND® sheets (apart from hot air welding), making it suitable for both flat and three dimensional applications.
At a glance:
- Flame retardant fire classification class B, s1, d0 according to EN 13501-1, the new European standard norm.
- Core with mineral core, without halogenated fire retardants making the material non-toxic
- All well-known DIBOND® processing possibilities possible (except for hot air welding)
- Excellent performance (including with bending and mill cutting technology)
Standard formats ex works
| Thickness | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard formats (W x L) | |||
| 1500 x 3050 | * | * | * |
| 1500 x 4050 | * | * | * |
Dimensions are in mm
Cut-to-size formats are available from your local DIBOND®distributor.
DIBOND®structure gets its characteristic look by using a special coating system that provides the panel with a haptic surface which does not show any traces of usage. Due to its surface structure, however, DIBOND®structure is not suitable for printing and laminating.
With its black or optionally white surface, DIBOND®structure ensures bright accents. Especially as an eye catcher, used selectively to accentuate or extensively for full cladding, in, high quality products can be represented with DIBOND®structure in an excellent way. Applications cover the fields of shop fitting, wall cladding, interior design, bars and counters.
With regard to processing, DIBOND®structure can be used mostly in the same way as DIBOND® in its standard version. Thus, it is well-suited for fabrication techniques such as sawing, cutting, milling, folding, 3-dimensionally formability, etc. Due to its surface structure, however, DIBOND®structure is not suitable for printing, concealing and CNC milling. There are also different parameters regarding gluing and fixing that result from the surface structure.
At a glance:
- Characteristic structure due to special coating system
- Special haptics and aesthetics
- Suitable for interior applications
DIBOND® is available in:
Front: silver, Reverse: black
| Thickness | 2 | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard formats (W x L) | |||
| 1500 x 3050 | * | * | * |
| 1500 x 4050 | * | * | * |
Dimensions are in mm
Cut-to-size formats are available from your local DIBOND®distributor.
In a special procedure, the surfaces of DIBOND®anodized are provided with an anodic coating thickness of 5 μm or 10 μm and are therefore clearly harder when compared with lacquer systems. Due to its corrosion resistance and robustness, DIBOND®anodized can be used everywhere where particular robustness is required. The especially authentic metal effect of the material ensures consistently high quality visuals, particularly with interior applications. DIBOND®anodized is therefore predominantly used for decorative surfaces in shop, furniture and trade fair constructions, for product advertisements at PoP counters and displays. In terms of its processing, DIBOND®anodized can be processed in the same ways as the standard DIBOND®. With round bends, however, large bending radii must be applied to make sure that the anodic layer does not break. For the routing and folding technique we recommend the use of varnished surfaces.
At a glance:
- Anodized on each side
- Abrasion proof and scratch resistant
- No finger print markings left on the surface
- Highly suited to screen printing
- For interior uses
Standard formats ex work
DIBOND® anodized 5 μm is available in the following standard formats:
| Thickness | 3 | 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard formats (W x L) | ||
| 1250 x 2500 | * | * |
| 1250 x 3050 | * | * |
DIBOND® anodized 10 μm is available in the following standard formats:
| Thickness | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard formats (W x L) | ||||
| 1500 x 3100 | * | * | * | * |
| 1500 x 4100 | * | * | * | * |
Dimensions are in mm
Cut-to-size formats are available from your local DIBOND®distributor.
To avoid reflection differences (e.g. for metallic surfaces or BUTLERFINISH®), we recommend to install the panels according to the direction as marked on the protective film.
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Protective foil
To avoid residuals of glue sticking to the surface of the panels due to UV radiation, we recommend removing the protective film as soon as possible after the installation. The protective foils and the panel surfaces may not be marked using ink (marker), adhesive tapes or stickers, as the lacquered surfaces could be damaged by solvents or plasticizers. Make sure to remove the protective foil as soon as possible after installation as weathering for a longer period could make the foil difficult to remove. In case of longer storage, the panels should be wiped – after removing the protective foil – with a cloth moistened with methylated spirit. Remove the protective film prior to outdoor applications (no UV-resistance). Should the protective foil come off partly during processing, dirtied edges can occur in the course of time.
Storage
Store the pallets stacked one over the other (do not store DIBOND® panels standing vertically), with a maximum of 6 pallets of the same format stacked on top of each other (heavy pallets at the bottom). Storage exceeding 6 months should be avoided. Protect pallets during storage against rain, penetration of moisture and condensation (e.g. when transporting cold panels to warmer rooms).
We recommend storing DIBOND® at a dry place which is ideally uniformly tempered. Prior to any fabrication step panels should be intermediately stored at 18 °C to 20 °C. For short term storage between two production steps polystyrene keys or foamed keys can be used. In order to avoid marks on the panel you should not used hard materials such as wood.
HandlingThe pallets must be handled carefully during transport and unloading. Single panels must be lifted off the pallet by two people holding all four corners and must not be drawn over each other. Carry the panels vertically. Wear gloves to avoid leaving any marks on them.
Upon delivery, the pallets must be examined for any damage due to moisture (DIBOND® panels that have become wet must be dried to avoid any spots or corrosion). Any damage must be reported immediately and confirmed by the forwarding agent.
Cleaning of DIBOND®Regular cleaning maintains the aesthetic and representative finish of stove-lacquered surfaces. Surfaces should be cleaned either manually or with a suitable cleaning device from top to bottom (industrial cleaning agents, foam cleaners). It is important to use appropriate cleaning devices and agents.
Please do not use any abrasive pads on lacquered surfaces or any alkaline cleaning agents such as potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate or caustic soda, or any powerful acidic products, heavily abrasive scouring agents or lacquer-dissolving cleaning agents.
Cleaning mirror surfaces
Special cleaning devices for mirror surfaces like Vylene or other fleece materials that do not have any liquid additions are ideal for cleaning mirror surfaces. In case dry cleaning should not be successful, use low surface tension water fort he cleaning and dry it with the a.m. textiles. Liquid cleaning agents should be pH balanced and should not be abrasively. Cleaning agents for glass can be used if they fulfill the above-mentioned criteria.
After the cleaning the surface has to be rinsed with clear water. Spare cleaning water and mineral residues can be removed with a sponge, rubber blade or wash leather.
We recommend that the cleaning agent be tried on an unobtrusive part of the object to be cleaned to check whether the surface is affected.
Do not clean hot surfaces (>40 °C) as the quick drying process may cause blemishes.
Expansion of DIBOND®DIBOND® can be used at temperatures between +80°C and -50°C. The material is subject to thermal expansion or shrinking, which needs to be considered when choosing the right fixing system, fixing material, sealing and formats of the application.