What is aluminum veneer curtain wall

1. Definition and composition of aluminum veneer curtain wall

Aluminum veneer curtain wall is a decorative enclosure structure that is installed on the facade of a building after precision processing and surface treatment, with aluminum alloy plates as the core material. It consists of aluminum veneer panels, support frame systems, connectors and sealing materials. It combines functionality, aesthetics and safety. It is a high-performance curtain wall form widely used in contemporary architectural design.

1. Material properties
– Lightweight and high strength: The density of aluminum alloy is only 1/3 of that of steel, and the tensile strength can reach 100-280MPa, which significantly reduces the building load.

– Strong weather resistance: The surface fluorocarbon coating is resistant to ultraviolet rays, acid and alkali corrosion, and the service life can reach more than 25 years.

– High plasticity: It supports special-shaped curved surface processing and can realize complex geometric shapes such as hyperbolic and single-curved.

– Environmental protection and energy saving: The material can be 100% recycled, and some products have built-in insulation layers to improve building energy efficiency.

2. Analysis of core production processes

1. Substrate processing
It is formed through processes such as cutting → punching → bending → arc rolling → welding. High-end projects are processed by CNC machine tools (CNC), and the precision error is controlled within ±0.5mm.

2. Surface treatment technology
– Fluorocarbon spraying (PVDF): three-coating and two-baking process, film thickness ≥40μm, best weather resistance
– Powder spraying: environmentally friendly and solvent-free, with a variety of color options
– Anodizing: Forming a 10-25μm oxide film with a strong metallic texture
– Bionic processing: wood grain transfer, stone grain spraying and other natural material effects

3. Composite structure innovation
Some products use aluminum honeycomb composite panels (3mm aluminum plate + 20mm honeycomb core) or hollow insulation structures, which have both sound insulation and heat insulation properties, and the heat transfer coefficient can be reduced to below 1.5W/(㎡·K).

3. Engineering application scenarios and typical cases

1. Application areas
– Super high-rise buildings: The facade of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai uses special aluminum plates with a wind pressure resistance of 6000Pa
– Transportation hubs: The curved aluminum curtain wall of Beijing Daxing International Airport reaches 100,000 square meters, with an earthquake resistance level of 8
– Cultural venues: The hyperbolic aluminum curtain wall of Guangzhou Opera House realizes Zaha Hadid’s fluid architectural concept
– Commercial complexes: Shanghai World Financial Center uses Low-E coated energy-saving aluminum plates

4. Key technologies for installation and construction

1. Three-dimensional measurement and layout
Use total stations for millimeter-level positioning, and BIM models to guide construction to solve the problem of positioning special-shaped curved surfaces. The Shanghai Tower project uses laser scanning technology to achieve the precise installation of 60,000 aluminum plates of different sizes.

2. Innovation of skeleton system
– Exposed frame system: visible buckle cover, suitable for regular facades
– Hidden frame system: structural adhesive bonding, presenting a pure surface
– Unitized curtain wall: factory prefabricated modules, on-site hoisting efficiency increased by 300%

3. Waterproof sealing process
– Isobaric cavity design: balance internal and external air pressure to prevent rainwater penetration
– Multi-channel sealing system: EPDM rubber strip + silicone weatherproof glue + water guide groove
– Joint treatment: reserve 8-12mm deformation joints and fill them with elastic sealant

VI. Future development trends

1. Green manufacturing innovation
– The proportion of recycled aluminum increased to more than 70%
– Chromium-free surface treatment process

2. Digital technology integration
– 3D printing customized special-shaped components
– Digital twin technology realizes full life cycle management

Aluminum veneer curtain wall is evolving from a simple building skin to an intelligent “building coat”. While pursuing aesthetic expression, it also undertakes composite functions such as energy saving and consumption reduction, structural safety, and intelligent interaction. With the in-depth integration of materials science and digital technology, this field will continue to promote the transformation and upgrading of the building curtain wall industry, painting a more technologically beautiful picture for the city skyline.