Saving aluminium, extending façade service life

FF2® combines several aspects of sustainability, starting with the material itself. The specially developed recycling alloy contains at least 70% recycled aluminium. At the same time, using FF2® instead of 3 mm 5005 (AlMg1) reduces aluminium consumption by approximately one third. The coating contributes to the long service life of the façade. Its high UV and weather resistance helps maintain a high-quality surface over many years and can therefore reduce maintenance requirements and extend refurbishment cycles. The coating system is PFAS-free. The industrial coating process uses a closed system in which solvents are captured, extracted and recovered on site. The heat generated during this process is reused for the curing process.

At the end of its long service life, the material remains valuable: FF2® aluminium can be fully recycled, again and again.

FF2® therefore saves aluminium at the outset, extends the service life of the façade surface and keeps the material within the recycling loop for future generations of products.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this section refers exclusively to the regulatory and technical requirements applicable in the German market. Users are responsible for independently verifying the applicable requirements and regulations in other countries.

There are two different applications when bonding FF2® façade elements: Structural bonding without additional mechanical fixing and bonding of stiffeners to the rear of the façade element

The two applications involve different requirements for the adhesive and the qualified personnel carrying out the work. For both applications, the adhesive specified parameters must be observed:

• During bonding, the air temperature must be between +5°C and +35°C.
• The temperature of the components must be at least 5°C above the dew point temperature of the air.
• For structural bonding, relative humidity must not exceed 75%. Some adhesives used for stiffeners permit relative humidity of up to 90%.
• For five hours after bonding, the air temperature must not fall below +5°C, as otherwise the adhesive may not cure correctly on the façade sheet or substructure.

Want to bond independently of weather conditions?

No problem – with the preGLUE façade bonding system, bonding can be carried out independently of weather conditions.

From Workshop to Installation

• Less Weight. Easier Handling.

At 5.4 kg/m², FF2® is significantly lighter than a 3 mm 5005 sheet. The lower weight makes a noticeable difference during manual handling: FF2® sheets are easier to load onto, move across and remove from fabrication machines. Larger cassettes and folded components are also easier to handle. The rear side is designed for efficient processing as well. The standard adhesive primer, which also serves as a protective coating, significantly reduces friction, allowing FF2® sheets to slide much more easily than mill finish aluminium across the support surfaces of fabrication machines. On site, the low weight of FF2® also reduces the physical effort required to carry and install finished façade elements.

• Fabrication with the coating in place

FF2® is cut, punched, milled and bent with its factory-applied coating already in place. The minimum inside bend radius is 2.5T and the minimum processing temperature is 20°C. The cut edges of the 2 mm FF2® sheet remain bright aluminium and stay free of coating. With proper fabrication, coating creep, flaking and delamination at the cut edges are avoided. For metallic and decorative finishes, a consistent installation direction must be maintained. FF2® sheets can be used to create the complete building envelope: the main façade in the form of hook-on cassettes, panels, flat sheets or individually folded elements, as well as window sills, reveals, roller shutter boxes, internal and external corners, parapets, decorative perforations and applications such as concealed doors and gates. No additional coating step is required after fabrication. The factory-applied coating does more than eliminate one additional production step – it changes the entire workflow. With post-coating, fully formed components have to be packaged, transported, unpacked, individually coated and transported back again. FF2®, by contrast, arrives at the façade contractor flat, fully coated and ready for fabrication. The result is less logistics, less handling, less coordination and shorter waiting times.

• Protective film for workshop fabrication …

During fabrication, a robust, UV-resistant black-and-white protective film shields the visible surface of FF2® from scratches and other damage. The film is printed with directional arrows. These help ensure the correct orientation of the sheets and are particularly useful with metallic, effect and decorative finishes, where maintaining a consistent installation direction is essential for a uniform appearance.

• … and for up to six months on the façade

A particular advantage becomes apparent on site: the protective film can remain on installed FF2® elements for up to six months and can be exposed to UV radiation throughout this period. There is therefore no need to remove the film immediately after installation. Construction of the façade can continue while already installed areas remain protected. The film is removed only once work on and around the façade has been completed. This reduces the risk of finished façade elements being damaged during subsequent construction work – and gives the façade contractor greater flexibility when organising the construction sequence.