Monolithic polycarbonate allows you to solve any design problem for facing and glazing construction sites. Of all the sheet polymers produced by industry, this is the most reliable material for today, combining lightness and strength. The huge number of positive properties that polycarbonate possesses is due to its versatile use.
Monolithic polycarbonate. Specifications
- Ease. The light weight of monolithic polycarbonate greatly facilitates the installation of structures compared to ordinary glass.
- The impact resistance of this material is simply unique - it is 250 times higher than that of glass. Polycarbonate is not damaged even with the most severe impacts, which allows it to be used as advertising or building structures in places where there is a possibility of acts of vandalism.
- Fire resistance. Monolithic polycarbonate belongs to the category of hardly flammable materials. When exposed to open fire, it does not ignite, only begins to melt.
- Light transmittance - 90%. In terms of transparency, polycarbonate does not differ from standard glass. Together with its high strength, this allows the use of material for protective glazing.
- Heat resistance. The temperature range that a monolithic polycarbonate sheet can withstand ranges from 40 to 120 degrees Celsius. Therefore, it is not afraid of temperature changes and is suitable in any climatic conditions.
- Polycarbonate is not susceptible to the damaging effects of chemicals and compounds.
- Due to the excellent soundproofing properties, this material is indispensable in the creation of soundproof structures.
- Simplicity and safety of installation. Polycarbonate is easy to process: it can be drilled, cut. Light weight of plastic, elasticity greatly facilitate installation work.
Design features
Polycarbonate is a very malleable material for any molding, both cold and thermal. It can be subjected to vacuum metallization, allows you to apply images using a variety of means: silk screen printing, engraving, screen printing or dyeing. All designs created using monolithic polycarbonate have a very long service life.
Fields of application
In almost all areas of human activity, monolithic polycarbonate is used, the characteristics of which together make it a universal material. It is used for the glazing of buildings, which provides natural lighting for rooms, saving energy. Due to the high light transmission this material is just a godsend for those who are going to build a greenhouse or conservatory.
Resistance to environmental influences and durability make monolithic polycarbonate a popular material for creating roofs and arched structures, for anti-vandal protection of shops, museums. Soundproofing properties make it possible to erect noise canceling screens from it along highways.
Polycarbonate is used to create telephone booths, billboards, road signs and stops, safety fences on sports fields and in production halls. In the automotive industry it is used in the manufacture of shockproof windshields and lenses for car headlights.
The sizes of monolithic polycarbonate are standard - 3.05x2.05 m. Sheet thickness - from 2 to 6 mm. Accordingly to the task, material of a certain thickness is selected. For the manufacture of greenhouses, it is recommended to use sheets no more than 4 mm, and for entrance structures and canopies, thicker polycarbonate should be used.
When designing canopies and canopies, any design idea can be realized thanks to a material such as monolithic polycarbonate. A photo of all kinds of options for such input design elements is represented by a huge amount.
Color palette
Along with transparent polycarbonate sheets, the modern market offers a huge selection of colors: blue, orange, green, red, etc. Each color has its own peculiarity, which must be taken into account when choosing a material according to its purpose. For example, the turquoise color of the visor above the entrance to the store will attract the attention of buyers. Bronze polycarbonate is preferred as a protective screen at a gas station, since dirt and dust are not so noticeable on it. It should be remembered that the more saturated the color of the material, the lower its light transmission.
Additional sheet processing
Monolithic polycarbonate is quite easy to process: it can be cut, drilled, glued. Plates are cut with a conventional saw on a tree or on a machine using hydromechanical cutting. To avoid vibrations and stress, the sheet should be fixed closer to the cutting tool, pressing it to the table as much as possible. When cutting plates to size, thermal expansion should be considered , leaving room for thermal movement. When cutting mirror plates, in order to prevent delamination of the reflective layer, it is necessary to place the material up with the laminated side. The holes in the polycarbonate are made with a screw drill. During the drilling process, it is important that the contact of the plate to the base is tight.
Cleaning and polishing
The resistance of polycarbonate to various chemicals makes it easier to care for. To clean this material, it is enough to have a fabric of 100% cotton and a mild detergent with water. You can use special cleaners, commercially available in a large assortment. The advantage of these products is their ability to create a film on the surface of the polycarbonate that protects against dust and static electricity. It is enough to carry out such a procedure once every 2 weeks.
It is not recommended to use wipers for cleaning, since the ammonia contained in them is capable of destroying monolithic polycarbonate. Photos and descriptions of the products designed to clean this material will help you make the right choice.
Methods of fastening monolithic polycarbonate
The creation of various products from polycarbonate, whether it is a protective partition or a showcase, requires fixing sheets with the help of special designs, which are also used for ordinary glass. There are two installation methods - wet and dry.
The wet method involves the use of polymer putty, which before installing the sheet is applied to its edge and around the perimeter of the frame. For a more complete sealing, special gaskets are used and the compound is treated with sealant.
The cleaner is the dry method - using mechanical means. The sheets are fastened using threaded connections, self-tapping screws in combination with gaskets and seals. The holes in the sheet, intended for mounting to the frame, must be drilled in advance, before installation. The mounting pitch is approximately 500 mm. The hole should be located at a distance of at least 20 mm from the edge of the sheet and have a diameter 2-3 mm larger than the fastener.
Among the polycarbonates represented in the building materials market, the leading position in terms of quality and price is monolithic. Cellular polycarbonate is much more affordable, but has slightly different properties.