Solid Support Panels

MuseuM Services Corporation manufactures a wide selection of different types of support panels. Panels can be custom designed to any shape or size. Oversize panels may have shipping restrictions, please call for information. The largest single piece panel made to date is 4.8 x 3.6m (16 x 12 feet). Large panels can also be made in sections for assembly on location.
• We can make any size or shape panel. Please call for a price quote!

Application
Honeycomb core, solid support panels offer excellent rigidity, light weight, and strength. Made to order, solid supports are time savers in the lining process. The thermal coefficient of expansion and contraction for aluminum honeycomb panels is similar to most organic materials. Shapes vary from rectangular to irregular shaped, curved, inserts for doorways, oval tops, out of square corners, ceiling and oversized paintings, very small paintings, oval shapes, and panels with cutouts in the middle. Aluminum Honeycomb Panels are great for difficult bonding situations, flag and textile supports, and more.

Function
Honeycomb and solid support panels maintain the visual plane of the artwork. Large artworks are often subject to considerable stress from climatic and gravitational forces. Stabilization with solid support panels overcomes these stresses. When traditional support techniques, such as fabric linings do not stabilize the artwork sufficiently, solid supports serve as excellent substitutes. Solid supports minimize stress within the various layers of the painting. They reduce distortions including sagging, buckling and cupping of the paint film. Great for both small and large projects. The bonding strength of the adhesive can be low, since the object attaches to the entire surface of the solid support. Low adhesive strengths facilitate reversibility or removal of the object from the solid support.

Hanging and Mounting Options
Unless specified otherwise, the panel perimeter is closed out with basswood. Several Mounting devices are available, such as keyhole hangers, inset screws or z bars. These can be attached to the back of the panel for hanging.

Mounting Services
MuseuM Services Corporation can mount artists linen to the solid support panels. For artists, this offers a very stable painting surface. Linen mounting includes a fiberglass interleaf to increase stability and facilitate removal of the linen from the support panel if needed in the future. Acid-free papers, such as rag board can also be mounted to one or both surfaces of the panels.

Sizes and Seams
When solid support panels are larger than 48 inches in two dimensions, one or more seams are necessary. Internal box splices provide strength at the seams. Seams are sanded until the surface is completely smooth to the touch.

This unique composite material has two face sheets of .010 inch thick aluminum bonded to a polyethylene core. Similar to Alucobond material, this product is light, flat and strong. It can be exposed to virtually any kind of weather, offering superior long term performance in ambient temperature ranges from -58° Fahrenheit (-50° Centigrade) to +175° Fahrenheit (80° Centigrade). It is resistant to breakage and distortion. Available in 2 mm and 4 mm thicknesses. Standard finish is white polyester painted on both sides. Cut to your quantity, size and shape requirements.