How to choose cellular polycarbonate - sheet size and

Появление на строительном рынке поликарбонатного пластика кардинально поменяло подход к созданию светопрозрачных конструкции, которые ранее создавались из силикатного стекла. Низкая механическая прочность и дороговизна этого материала увеличивали затраты на строительство, а также ограничивали варианты исполнения. Specifications поликарбоната позволили заменить им стекло без потери качества конструкций. Эффективность применения и срок эксплуатации поликарбонатного пластика зависит от качества и вида материала. В этой статье мы расскажем, как выбрать поликарбонат сотового типа правильно.

The composition of the material

Cellular polycarbonate is a modern, technological construction material that is used for glazing, building greenhouses and greenhouses, covering gazebos and sheds, and building a roof. In terms of chemistry, it refers to polyester phenol and carbonic acid, produced by the method of condensation. The compound resulting from this reaction belongs to the group of thermoplastics; it is solid and transparent.

Cellular, cellular or structural polycarbonate is called because its structure consists of several plates interconnected by internal stiffening ribs. The cells formed in this case have the following form:

• Rectangular.
• Triangular.
• Soobraznye.

Cellular polycarbonate consists of 1-5 plates interconnected during the production process. The thickness of the sheet and the technical characteristics of the material depend on the number of layers. Thicker polycarbonate has a high insulating and noise-canceling ability, but it allows less light to pass through, and therefore is considered less transparent.

Important! Cellular polycarbonate is very different from monolithic. Having the same composition, these materials have different technical characteristics. More expensive solid plastic is stronger and more transparent than cellular. However, the cell retains heat better and has a smaller mass.

Material properties

In the production process, polycarbonate molecules are placed in a special device called an extruder, from where they are squeezed under high pressure into a form on which the cellular structure of the sheet depends. Then the material is cut into individual sheets, the dimensions of which are 2.1 x 12 m, and is covered with a protective film. The production technology affects the technical characteristics of the coating, it becomes durable, resistant to mechanical stress, with a high bearing capacity. Cellular polycarbonate has the following properties:

1. High transparency. It transmits 80-88% of the visible light spectrum, which is only 10% less than the same indicator in silicate glass. Transparency allows you to use it for the construction of greenhouses and greenhouses.
2. Strength. Impact resistance and resistance to mechanical damage of this material is several times higher than that of glass. These performance characteristics allow you to create from the cellular polycarbonate anti-vandal structures that can not be damaged.
3. A light weight. Cellular polycarbonate is 6 times lighter than silicate glass, due to which lightweight structures are created from this inexpensive material, the weight of which is 0.8-2.7 kg, which do not require a massive framework.
4. Flexibility. The plasticity of polycarbonate sheet distinguishes this material from glass. Due to this quality, arched structures are easily created from polycarbonate plastic.
5. High carrying capacity. Some types of material of this type have sufficient bearing capacity to withstand the weight of a person. Therefore, cellular polycarbonate is used even for roofing in areas with high snow loads.

Note! The components that make up the material are adversely affected by ultraviolet cure. Under the influence of the sun, polycarbonate plastic becomes cloudy, which reduces its light transmission ability. In order to protect the material from turbidity, a special UV-blocking film is applied to the surface. Without this coating for 6 years of operation, the transparency of polycarbonate is reduced by 10-15%.

Standard sizes

The performance characteristics and dimensions of a polycarbonate sheet of cellular type allow this material to be used for a variety of construction tasks. Manufacturers produce products that have a different thickness, the shape of the cells and the size of the sheet to satisfy any requests of the masters. Cellular polycarbonate has the following characteristics:

• The width of the polycarbonate sheet is a standard value, it is 2100 mm. Material dimensions are limited by production capabilities.
• The length of the sheet is 2000 mm, 6000 mm or 12000 mm. At the end of production, a sheet enters from the conveyor, the dimensions of which are 2.1 x 12 m, and then it is cut into smaller ones. The length of the material is limited by the capabilities of the extruder.
• The thickness of polycarbonate is 4 mm, 6 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 16 mm, 20 mm, 25 mm or 32 mm. The larger the sheet size, the harder it will be.
• The weight of polycarbonate depends on the thickness, it is 0.8-2.7 kg, which makes this material the leader in lightness among translucent and roofing coatings.
• The cells of a material are triangular, rectangular or honeycomb. The voids in the structure are filled with air, so that the polycarbonate has high thermal insulation and noise insulation properties.
• The color of sheets is blue, red, green, yellow, orange, bronze, opal. For greenhouses use transparent, colorless material.
• The transparency of the material varies between 80-88%, according to this indicator, cellular polycarbonate is only slightly inferior to silicone glass.

Experienced craftsmen recommend purchasing sheets that are 2.1 x 12 m in size, and then cut the material on their own if a large structure is to be built. This simple measure reduces the cost of the purchase of polycarbonate by 15-20%, and also reduces the formation of unused residues. It is necessary to take into account that it is cheaper and more convenient to transport sheets up to 6 m long.

Criterias of choice

Despite the large product range, choosing cellular high-quality polycarbonate is not as easy as it sounds. It is necessary to consider the price, technical characteristics and operational features of the material. When purchasing, pay attention to the following parameters:

1. Thickness. The more layers in the structure of the material, the better it retains heat and resists external loads, well, it bends worse.
2. Sheet dimensions. Buying polycarbonate with a size of 2.1x12 m is cheaper, but the delivery of oversized material flies into a pretty penny. So it is better to stay on sheets 2.1 x 6 m.
3. Colour. Color material is suitable for decorative glazing or building awnings, and only colorless for building greenhouses and greenhouses.
4. The presence of a layer that blocks UV rays. If the material is purchased for the construction of a greenhouse, only polycarbonate with a protective film that does not become cloudy during operation will be suitable.
5. Weight. The heavier the material, the stronger the frame for it.
6. Load bearing capacity. This criterion is taken into account if the polycarbonate plastic is intended for the construction of a translucent roof.

Important! The quality and standard sizes of polycarbonate plastic are regulated by state standards and manufacturer's specifications. Therefore, pay attention to the labeling, the presence of a certificate of conformity, instructions.

Application

Cellular polycarbonate is widely used in construction due to its excellent technical characteristics, reasonable price and long service life. He successfully replaced glass and some other materials with less impact resistance and wear resistance. Polycarbonate plastic of this type is used:

• Sheets with a thickness of 4 mm are used to create advertising billboards, shop windows, decorative objects. They are suitable for internal use only.
• Sheets with a thickness of 6 mm are used to equip porches, build canopies over the entrance and sheds, and organize small greenhouses.
• Sheets 8 mm thick are the best option for small roofs in regions with low snow loads and large greenhouses.
• Sheets with a thickness of 10 mm are used for vertical glazing.
• Sheets with a thickness of 16-25 mm are suitable for continuous glazing of parking lots, offices, swimming pools, winter gardens, greenhouses.
• Sheets with a thickness of 32 mm are used for the construction of the roof in regions with high snow loads.

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