<![CDATA[Background. Aluminum Composite Panels (ACPs) are widely used in construction and engineering applications because of their lightweight structure, corrosion resistance, and favorable strength-to-weight ratio. However, the thermal stability of the polymer core remains a critical concern when ACPs are exposed to elevated temperatures. Aims. This study investigates the high-temperature behavior and microstructural changes of Polyoxymethylene (POM) used as an alternative core material in ACPs. Methods. We fabricated the panels with 5052 aluminum alloy outer layers, POM as the core material, N-193 aluminum adhesive for interlayer bonding, and a fire-retardant coating. We heated the specimens to 300°C, 350°C, and 400°C for 1 h, then cooled them by annealing. We performed microstructural observations before and after thermal exposure using an optical microscope at 1000× magnification. Result. The results showed that exposure to temperatures substantially above the POM melting point (~165°C) caused the POM core to melt and adhere to the aluminum layers. After high-temperature exposure, the specimens exhibited substantial morphological changes, with the molten POM remaining attached to the aluminum surfaces. Optical microscopy also revealed marked changes in the appearance and distribution of the POM-derived residue after thermal exposure. Overall, the findings show that POM can be incorporated as a core material in ACP fabrication but melts and degrades at 300–400°C. Conclusion. These results provide experimental evidence of the thermal limitations of POM-core ACPs and highlight the importance of selecting thermally stable core materials for ACP applications involving elevated-temperature environments.]]>
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