1. Matching of thickness and application scenarios
Thin plates (1.0-2.0mm)
Applicable scenarios: Low-load scenarios such as indoor ceilings and decorative walls, pursuing lightweight and low cost.
Performance limitations: Weak wind pressure resistance, the perforation rate needs to be controlled ≤30% to prevent deformation.
Medium and thick plates (2.5-4.0mm)
Applicable scenarios: Fields with high strength requirements such as building curtain walls and outdoor shading systems.
Typical parameters: Curtain wall plates need to pass wind pressure resistance tests, and coastal areas are recommended to be ≥3.0mm to cope with extreme weather.
Thick plates (4.0-6.0mm)
Applicable scenarios: Heavy facilities that require high load-bearing capacity such as industrial protective covers and large ventilation ducts.
Process challenges: Too thick plates (such as >6.0mm) may cause burrs or aperture deviations during punching.
2.Impact of thickness on mechanical properties
| Performance Index | Thickness Correlation / Description |
|---|---|
| Deformation Resistance | Each 1 mm increase in thickness boosts bending strength by approx. 30%–40% Requires optimized hole layout for structural integrity |
| Weight & Installation Difficulty | Increasing thickness from 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm results in a 50% weight gain Needs reinforced keel system or lightweight connectors for safe installation |
| Durability | Thick plates ≥3.0 mm extend outdoor corrosion resistance life by 5–8 years Requires uniform and high-quality surface coating for long-term performance |
3. Thickness and process limitations
Aperture design limitations
Thin plates (1.0-2.0mm) are suitable for dense arrangement of small apertures (3-5mm), and thick plates (4.0-6.0mm) are compatible with large apertures (10-15mm) but require back reinforcement.
Special hole shapes (such as plum blossoms and hexagons) require additional thickness compensation due to stress concentration, usually ≥3.0mm.
Surface treatment requirements
Thick plates (＞4.0mm) need to use multi-layer fluorocarbon spraying (≥40μm) to cover the punching edges to avoid corrosion at weak points of the coating.
4.Economic trade-off
Material cost: The thickness increases from 2.0mm to 3.0mm, and the aluminum cost increases by about 25%-35%, but the reduction of structural support parts can partially offset it.
Processing loss: The wear rate of thick plate punching tools is 70% higher than that of thin plates, and it is necessary to balance customization needs and mass production costs.
Selection suggestions:
Indoor decoration prefers 1.5-2.0mm plates, combined with artistic hole design to achieve lightweight aesthetic effects;
Curtain wall projects recommend 2.5-3.0mm specifications, matching fluorocarbon spraying and reinforcement rib design to ensure a service life of more than 20 years.
