Today, there are a large number of practical and relatively inexpensive building materials for the construction of modern buildings. One of the most popular is polycarbonate, or, as it is also called, polycarbonate glass. What is it and where is it used?
Description
Polycarbonate glass is a synthetic polymer, which in chemical structure consists of polyester of carbonic acid and phenols. The feedstock, which is formed into finished sheets, resembles transparent granules in structure.
On sale you can find cell or monolithic sheet plastic. It can be painted in different colors and have a different degree of transparency.
The properties
The material can be called universal, since the characteristics that it possesses make it virtually invulnerable:
- impact resistance;
- working temperature from -45 to +120 degrees;
- transparency;
- workload from 60 to 120 kg / m;
- plastic, that is suitable for bending;
- fire resistance.
The properties of polycarbonate glass can rightly be called ideal. However, the material has a significant drawback - in the process of active use or cleaning with abrasive substances, small scratches can form on the polymer, which make it cloudy. Unfortunately, getting rid of them is no longer possible. However, for active use, a plastic sheet with a friction-resistant coating has been developed.
Monolithic polycarbonate
This type of polymer plastic resembles acrylic glass in characteristics . However, its mechanical properties far exceed the capabilities of glass. It is transparent and at the same time tolerates both extremely high and low temperatures.
Due to its high ductility, monolithic polycarbonate is used for the manufacture of protective glazing - shields, fences. In addition, it can be used for glazing residential and utility buildings, agricultural facilities, aircraft, buses. Safety glasses and helmets are made from it.
Due to its plasticity property, monolithic polycarbonate glass is ideally suited for the manufacture of curved elements, for example, canopies or domes with a rectangular, round or square base. The material is widely used for the manufacture of lamps of varying complexity, protective barriers on roads, signboards.
Cellular Polycarbonate
This term is used to refer to a polymer consisting of several layers of impact-resistant plates, which are interconnected by additional stiffeners. Its production is the melting of granules and the formation of a soft mass using special forms that determine the appearance of the sheets.
The main purpose of cellular polycarbonate is to use as roofing material. This is due to its ability to withstand high and low temperatures, transparency and resistance to snow. Thanks to this, the material is used not only for vertical glazing, but also for horizontal. Roofs for greenhouses, awnings, conservatories, shop windows and other decorative and protective elements are made of polycarbonate glass.
Cellular polycarbonate is a highly flammable substance, so it is famous for its fire resistance. Due to this, it can be used in conditions of increased fire hazard.
Sometimes the material is covered with an additional layer of protection against condensation or ultraviolet radiation. Moreover, its average service life is 10-12 years. Polycarbonate is often used in construction also because of its cost-effectiveness and general availability.
Installation Nuances
Transparent polycarbonate glass is in demand not only for its positive characteristics, but also for the ease of installation, which even a beginner can handle. The material is lightweight, and the sheets can cover a relatively large space, so the installation does not take too much time. However, it is important to carry out the installation correctly so that the polymer lasts as long as possible:
- plastic sheet must be screwed to a metal or wooden frame using self-tapping screws, under which washers must be laid;
- if it is necessary to use two or more sheets of material, the installation is overlapped;
- while between the layers of the polymer it is necessary to apply a small amount of sealant;
- if necessary, cut into pieces, you can use any sharp tool - grinder, jigsaw, hacksaw.
When working with polycarbonate, safety precautions must be observed, namely: wear safety glasses and use gloves, since its edges can be quite sharp.
Storage and care
Sheets of polymer, which are coated with a special protective layer from ultraviolet radiation, can be stored directly in the open air without fear of loss of their properties. Conventional polycarbonate must be kept under a canopy until installation.
During operation it is strictly forbidden to use rough materials and abrasive products for cleaning. The surface may only be washed with soft sponges or rags, as well as liquid detergents. Abrasive cleaners are approved for use on polymer sheets that have a special coating that prevents scratches. Also, you can not use detergents, which include elements such as alkali, aldehydes, salts, isopropanol, ethers.