Polymer materials today are widely used in the construction of buildings and structures for various purposes. Among them, polycarbonate is a panel that consists of two or three layers, between which longitudinally oriented stiffeners are located. Due to the cellular structure, it was possible to achieve the mechanical strength of the web with low weight.
Polycarbonate Description
Cellular polycarbonate in cross section resembles a honeycomb, which can be triangular or rectangular. The raw material for this material is granular polycarbonate, which can be obtained by condensation of dihydroxyl compounds and polyesters of carbonic acid. The material is produced in accordance with TU-2256-001-54141872-2006, however, the dimensions prescribed in these rules may vary depending on the wishes of the customer. The parameters of the stiffeners are determined by the manufacturer, the maximum permissible deviation is not set.
Temperature modes of use
Cellular polycarbonate is highly resistant to adverse environmental conditions. The temperature regime of use depends on the brand of material, compliance with the rules of technology and the quality of raw materials. For most types of panels, this indicator varies from -40 to +130 degrees. Some types of material described can withstand extremely low temperatures, which are -100 degrees. Moreover, the structure does not collapse. When exposed to high temperature or cooling, linear dimensions may occur. Permissible expansion should not be more than 3 millimeters per 1 meter, as for the width and length of the sheet. Due to the fact that the polycarbonate material is characterized by large thermal expansion, it must be mounted with appropriate gaps.
Chemical resistance
When using finishing panels, it is necessary to take into account the fact that they are exposed to various destructive factors. Polycarbonate is that material which possesses excellent resistance to a number of chemicals. However, it is not recommended to use linens if they can be affected by insecticidal aerosols, cement mixtures, PVC plasticized substances, concrete, potent detergents, halogen and aromatic solvents, sealants based on ammonia, acetic acid and alkali, and solutions of ethyl alcohol.
Resistance of polycarbonate to chemical compounds
Polycarbonate is the material that will withstand the effects of salt solutions with a neutral acid reaction, as well as concentrated mineral acids. The panels are not afraid of reducing agents and oxidizing agents, as well as alcohol solutions, methanol is an exception. When installing the paintings, it is necessary to use silicone sealants and specially designed sealing elements for them.
Mechanical strength
Polycarbonate is able to undergo significant mechanical stress. It should be noted that the surface can be abrasive during prolonged contact with small elements like sand. In this case, scratching may occur when exposed to rough materials that have sufficient hardness. The mechanical strength will depend on the structure and brand. If we talk about the tensile strength, then the premium product has a parameter equal to 60 MPa. The yield strength of the same grade is 70 MPa. Impact strength is 65 kJ / mm. The manufacturer gives a guarantee for the preservation of performance for 10 years, provided that the sheets were installed correctly and using special fasteners.
Thickness and specific gravity
The technology suggests the possibility of manufacturing polycarbonate of various sizes. Currently, in the building materials market, you can find sheets whose thickness varies from 4 to 25 millimeters. Each of these types has a different internal structure. The density of polycarbonate is 1.2 kilograms per cubic meter. For paintings, this indicator depends on the number of layers, the thickness of the panels and the distance between the stiffeners. With a sheet thickness of 4 millimeters, the number of walls is limited to two, while the distance between the stiffeners is 6 millimeters. With a thickness of 25 millimeters, the number of walls is 5, while the step between the ribs is 20.
Sun resistance
Polycarbonate is that material which is capable to guarantee reliable protection against radiation. In order to achieve a similar effect, a layer of stabilizing coating is applied to the sheet during production. This technology provides a lifetime of 10 years. There is no likelihood of peeling off the protective coating from the material itself, since the polymer is reliably alloyed with the base. When installing the sheet, it is necessary to take into account the moment that the coating intended to protect from solar radiation should be facing outward. Light transmission depends on color, for example, unpainted sheets have these indicators in the range from 83 to 90 percent. Transparent colored canvases transmit no more than 65 percent, but transmitted light is well scattered.
Heat insulating characteristics
When building a polycarbonate greenhouse, what kind of material you should find out in advance. It has excellent thermal insulation properties. The heat resistance of this material is achieved due to the inside of the contained air and for the reason that the web has significant thermal resistance. The heat transfer coefficient will depend on the structure and thickness of the sheet. This parameter varies from 4.1 to 1.4 W / (m² · K). The first figure is true for a sheet whose thickness is 4 millimeters, while the second figure is for a 32 mm sheet. Polycarbonate is a plastic, the use of which is advisable in the case when it is necessary to combine excellent thermal insulation qualities and high transparency.
Fire resistance
Polycarbonate is considered resistant to high temperatures, it belongs to category B1, which, according to the European classification, means flame-resistant and self-extinguishing material. When burning, it does not emit toxic gases and is not dangerous to humans. With the described thermal effect, as for the open flame, the processes of formation of through holes and destruction of the structure begin. The material begins to decrease in area.
Lifetime
Monolithic polycarbonate is the material whose manufacturers guarantee the preservation of the qualitative characteristics of the material for 10 years. This is true if the installation and operating rules are followed. If damage to the outside is prevented, then the panel can be used longer. Otherwise, premature destruction of the web will occur. In areas where there is a risk of mechanical damage, it is necessary to use sheets whose thickness is 16 millimeters or more. During installation, it is necessary to take into account the exclusion of the possibility of contact with substances that can cause harm in the form of destruction.
Soundproofing characteristics
The honeycomb structure provides a very low acoustic permeability, which indicates that the panels have excellent sound-absorbing properties, which depend on the type of sheet and its internal structure. Thus, when it comes to multilayer cellular polycarbonate, the web thickness of which is 16 millimeters or more, the extinction of the sound wave occurs in the range from 10 to 21 dB.
Conclusion
We can say that plexiglass is polycarbonate with less outstanding quality characteristics. The second type of material has higher strength and reliability; according to these and many other qualitative characteristics, the honeycomb structure is chosen much more often. This is also due to the fact that polycarbonate is used in many areas, including construction and repair. Private consumers choose it for creating visors, greenhouses, gazebos and much more. Structures from it are obtained light and do not require the construction of a special foundation. This reduces the cost of the process and simplifies the work.