Thermowells for attaching polycarbonate. How to fasten? Instruction manual

The widespread use of polycarbonate in various fields was made possible thanks to the unique characteristics and aesthetic data of this material. When installing polycarbonate products, some features of this material must be taken into account. In order to maintain the performance of the panels, it is necessary to select the fasteners correctly. How to choose the right thermal washers for fastening polycarbonate, as well as how to carry out installation, this article will tell.

Properties and distinctive qualities of polymer plastic

1. The material has high strength and requires processing with high quality tools.
2. Thermowells for attaching polycarbonate must be corrosion resistant.
3. When working with plastic, it is necessary to take into account its high coefficient of thermal expansion. Rigid fixation can cause web breaks in frost and swelling in the heat.
4. Fasteners should not impair the appearance of the structure.

Fasteners

The best option when installing a polycarbonate structure is to use thermal washers, with which it is possible to solve the following problems:

• strong and reliable fixation of the canvas to the supporting structure;
• sealing holes drilled in polycarbonate to install washers, which prevents dust, liquid and cold from entering the structure;
• polycarbonate and the material from which the thermowells are made expand and contract at the same time;
• the color range makes it possible to choose fasteners in the color of the structure itself.

What are the thermowells made of for fastening polycarbonate?

The material for the manufacture is:

• stainless steel (service life is not limited);
• polypropylene (lifetime - 3-4 years);
• polycarbonate (will last up to 20 years).

Stainless steel thermowells for fastening polycarbonate are used for fastening large-sized canvases and in areas with strong winds to metal supporting structures. The fastener has a circular shape with a small indentation in the middle and a hole in the center. A polyurethane sealant is inserted into the recess. For reliable fastening, the distance between the washers is 25-30 cm.

Today fastenings on which the washer are plastic are in great demand. Although polypropylene fasteners are exposed to ultraviolet radiation, which destroys the material for several years. As a result, the web begins to vibrate and may collapse. The advantages include low cost, aesthetic appearance and wide color gamut. Transparent products are also available.

The most popular are universal polycarbonate thermal washers, especially when installing transparent sheets. Such fasteners:

• durable due to special treatment from ultraviolet radiation;
• harmoniously combined with the main material and almost invisible;
• do not collapse and do not change their physical properties with temperature changes;
• due to the fact that the washer is flat, it is hermetically attached to the sheet without damaging it.

Manufacturers produce thermal washers with a leg (selected for a specific sheet thickness) and without a leg (they are universal).

Thermowasher consists of:

• washers with or without a leg;
• seal (polymer ring);
• covers (copper or plastic washer);
• self-tapping screw (usually sold separately).

Polycarbonate Mounting Rules

1. When drilling holes for thermowells in plastic and the supporting structure, the tool is installed strictly perpendicularly. A hole drilled even at a slight angle will cause leakage and creasing of the panel.
2. Only sharp drills are used, preferably with a central fixation (a drill on a tree is suitable ), which will not slip and will not damage the canvas.
3. The hole for the thermowasher is made a couple of millimeters more than the thickness of the screw foot, taking into account the possible deformation of the plastic under the influence of heat.
4. Use only stainless screws with a hat.
   
5. During installation, the seal must be pressed firmly against the surface of the polycarbonate, but not pressed in.
6. The distance between the thermal washers is from 25 to 70 cm, depending on the size of the structure and operating conditions.

Which thermowasher is better: with a leg or universal?

Many people believe that due to such an element as a thermowell leg, more reliable sealing is achieved, the chance to “squeeze” the sheet with a self-tapping screw (the abutting leg interferes) is reduced, and the risk of “leaks” is reduced. It should be remembered that usually polycarbonate itself and thermowells to it are produced in different places, so tolerances on the thickness of the sheet and plastic can have discrepancies of about 1 mm. Due to this, conditions may arise for leaks in all attachment points.

Experts advise to slightly “squeeze” the fasteners when using universal thermal washers. In cold weather, “squeezing” is compensated by reducing the thickness of the polycarbonate sheet.