EXCELPLAS “WHITE PAPER” on the ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 Façade Product

White Paper on

ALPOLICâ„¢ NC / ALPOLICâ„¢ A1 Non-Combustible Cladding

prepared by ExcelPlas Materials Testing & Cladding Test

Introduction:

This White Paper discusses the test results and performance data of ALPOLICâ„¢NC / A1Non-Combustible CompositeCladding manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical InfratecCo., Ltd In Japan.

Independent testing and analysis has been performed by NATA-Certified ExcelPlasLabs who are specialists in the compositional analysis and testing of polymers and polymer composites.

Independent ExcelPlastesting has shown that ALPOLICâ„¢NC/A1 has a non-combustible mineral core containing less than 5% polymer and greater than 95% inert filler (inert content) by mass.

ALPOLICâ„¢NC/A1 is a CodemarkCertified non-combustible material fully complying with the DtSprovisions as per NCC/BCA and can be used as external wall cladding in new buildings and retrofit applications wherever a non-combustible material is required.

Additionally, this material has also obtained the A1 Classification when tested in accordance with EN13501-1, which is a milestone for an ACP to pass this criteria.

ALPOLICâ„¢NC/A1 core is also certified non-combustible when tested in accordance with BS476 Part 4.

ALPOLICâ„¢NC/A1 is the only ACP with a non-combustible mineral core in Australia that achieves the highest possible safety rating (Category D) with the Insurance Council of Australia.

Fourier Infra-red Spectroscopy

(FTIR) testing of mineral

components in

ALPOLICâ„¢ NC/A1 Cladding

ALPOLICâ„¢ NC/A1 has ZERO polyethene as tested at ExcelPlas, one of the few official laboratories in Australia which are recommended by the Insurance Council of Australia

X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) testing of mineral components in ALPOLICâ„¢ NC/A1 Cladding.

Gibbsite –Aluminum Tri-hydrate Calcite –Calcium Carbonate

Thermogravimetry (TGA) testing of mineral components in ALPOLICâ„¢ NC/A1.

ALPOLIC™NC / A1 –Deemed non-combustible to BCA 2019

This is in compliance with Clause C1.9(e)(vii) of the National Construction Code, specifically relating to the use of bonded laminated products wherever a non-combustible material is required:

• Each lamina, including the core, is non-combustible; and
• Each adhesive layer does not exceed 1mm in thickness and the total thickness of the adhesive layers does not exceed 2mm; and,
• The Spread-of-Flame index and the Smoke-Developed Index of the bonded laminated material, as a whole, do not exceed 0 and 3,respectively.

ALPOLICâ„¢NC / A1 Technical Note on Adhesive Layer April 2020

Following the announcement by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation on January 14, 2020 that ALPOLIC NC has passed the European Fire Standard “EuroclassA1” tested in accordance with EN13501-1, therefore ALPOLIC™NC is now A1 Classified. This is the first ACM in the world to be certified under the EuroclassA1 standard, which is a milestone in ACM history. ALPOLIC™NC / A1 is a Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) panel which fully complies with Clause C1.9(e)(vii) of the National Construction Code.

While there are products that have claimed to be DtS under Clause C1.9(e)(vii) of the National Construction Code, the adhesive layer in ALPOLICâ„¢NC / A1 is less than 0.05 mm in thickness on each side and total thickness of adhesive layer is less than 0.10 mm.

ALPOLICâ„¢NC / A1 is the first ACM under Category D (non-combustible) in the Insurance Council of Australia Hazard Identification and Category Rating Guide, which is the BEST possible rating;

ALPOLICTMNC / A1 offers higher performance than solid aluminium cladding in the following ways:

• Thermal Conductivity : The Thermal Conductivity of 3mm Solid Aluminium is over 500x higher than that of ALPOLICâ„¢NC/ A1.Solid Aluminium –205 (W/mk)vsALPOLICâ„¢NC / A1 –0.4 (W/mk) which will dramatically affect the buildings energy rating.This increased Thermal Conductivity can also result in a higher chance of structural panel failure through thermal movement and waterproofing failures.
• Rigidity : ALPOLICâ„¢NC / A1 has better rigidity than 3mm thick solid aluminium, which, as a consequence, means that solid aluminium will incur significant oil-canning effects at high temperatures.This will in turn dramatically reduce the aesthetic appearance of your project.This increased Thermal Conductivity can also result in a higher chance of structural panel failure through thermal movement and waterproofing failures.
• Coating Quality : ALPOLICâ„¢NC / A1 utilises state-of-the-art die-coating technology ensuring complete colour uniformity.

Mitsubishi ALPOLICTMNC / A1 offers higher performance than solid aluminium cladding in the following ways:

• Safety In Fire : ALPOLICâ„¢NC / A1, when tested to AS5113 Large Scale Fire Testing produces only 6.65kg of debris mass, with the largest individual piece being 100gms. In contrast the 3mm Solid Aluminium Cladding panels produce a very large44kg of flaming, falling debris with the largest individual piece at 19.5kg. Large, falling debris like this creates extreme danger for both firefighters and people trying to exit a burning building.
• Environmental : ALPOLICâ„¢NC / A1 is recyclable, and CO2emissions during production are 48.2% lower than 3mm solid aluminium (18.5 kg –CO2/m² vs 36.57 kg –CO2/m²) and use of the product may contribute to LEED credits.
• Warranty : ALPOLICâ„¢NC / A1 is backed by globally trusted Mitsubishi Chemical Infratecfrom Japan, offering a FULL COVER 20-year coating and panel warranty includingrectification costsassociated withmaterial faults for Oceania. In contrast warranties from many suppliers of solid aluminium only cover replacement materials (not labour and access) and require bi-annual cleaning/maintenance.

Glossary of Terms

• ACM = Aluminium Composite Material
• AS = Australian Standard
• ATH = Aluminium Tri Hydrate
• BCA = Building Code of Australia
• CC = Calcium Carbonate
• CV = Calorific Value
• DtS = Deemed-to-Satisfy
• FTIR = Fourier Transform Infra-red
• ICA = Insurance Council of Australia
• MJ = Mega Joules
• NC = non-combustible
• NCC = National Construction Code
• PE = Polyethylene
• SDI = Smoke Developed Index
• SFI = Spread Flame Index
• XRD = X-Ray Diffraction

About ExcelPlas:With more than 25 years’ experience, ExcelPlas is acknowledged as a leading provider of specialist analytical and technical capabilities for the building and construction industry in the area of polymer analysis. ExcelPlas Labs use a range of analytical techniques to assist building owners, building managers, building insurers, fire engineers and other stakeholders to provide advice relating to the flammability potential, composition and toxicity of cladding materials. ExcelPlas is a NATA-accredited laboratory and is ISO/IEC 17025 compliant.

www.excelplas.com