Large amounts of metal are wasted every year because there is no financial incentive for the industry to recycle these materials. Aluminium composite foils are one such material. By researching the value of this material and designing potential applications for it, we can prevent it from being wasted, contribute to a more circular economy, and reduce our dependency on mining facilities outside the EU.

Using a powder metallurgy approach, we can process the material to investigate the potential of this metal-forming technique. Granulating, compressing and heating the sample material produces different samples with different properties.

The most promising samples for architectural applications are tested using a three-point flexural test. The results show that the material is comparable to terracotta. The thermal conductivity of the aluminium remains relatively high, too. This makes it a perfect material for a heat exchanger panel.

The aluminium is used to compress tile-shaped panels for use in façades and underfloor heating systems. Heat from the tubing behind the panel is transferred through the panel to the air. This makes the panels highly efficient for rapid heat exchange.