Monolithic polycarbonate allows you to solve any design problem for cladding and glazing of building objects. Of all the sheet polymers that the industry produces, this is the most reliable material today, combining lightness and strength. The huge number of positive properties that polycarbonate has, explains its versatile application.
Monolithic polycarbonate. Features
- Easy. 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 by the strongest impacts, which allows it to be used as advertising or building structures in places where there is a possibility of acts of vandalism.
- Refractoriness. Monolithic polycarbonate belongs to the category of flame-retardant materials. When exposed to an open flame, it does not ignite, it only begins to melt.
- Light transmittance - 90%. In terms of transparency, polycarbonate does not differ from standard glass. Together with its high strength, this makes it suitable for use in safety 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 subject to the damaging effects of chemicals and compounds.
- Due to its excellent soundproofing properties, this material is indispensable for creating soundproof structures.
- Easy and safe installation. Polycarbonate is easy to process: it can be drilled, cut. Light weight plastic, elasticity greatly facilitate installation work.
Design possibilities
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 staining. All structures created using monolithic polycarbonate have a very long service life.
Application areas
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 building glazingProvides natural light to rooms, saving energy. Thanks to its high light transmission, this material is a godsend for those who are going to build a greenhouse or conservatory.
Resistance to environmental influences and strength make monolithic polycarbonate a popular material for creating roofs and arched structures, for anti-vandal protection of shops, museums. Its soundproofing properties allow it to be used as noise-reducing screens along highways.
Polycarbonate is used to create telephone booths, billboards, road signs and stops, protective fences on sports fields and in production workshops. In the automotive industry, it is used in the manufacture of shockproof windshields and lenses for car headlights.
The dimensions of monolithic polycarbonate are standard - 3.05x2.05 m. Sheet thickness - from 2 to 6 mm. According to the task, a material of a certain thickness is selected. For the manufacture of greenhouses, it is recommended to use sheets no more than 4 mm, and thicker polycarbonate should be used for entrance structures and canopies.
When designing canopies and awnings, any design idea can be realized thanks to such material as monolithic polycarbonate. There are a huge number of photos of various options for such elements of the entrance design.
Color palette
Along with transparent polycarbonate sheets, the modern market offers a huge selection of colored ones:blue, orange, green, red, etc. Each color has its own peculiarity, which must be taken into account when choosing a material according to its intended purpose. For example, the turquoise color of the canopy over the entrance to the store will attract the attention of customers. Bronze-colored polycarbonate is preferred as a gas station safety screen, as dirt and dust are not so visible on it. It should be remembered that the richer 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 for wood or on a machine using hydromechanical cutting. To avoid vibrations and tension, the sheet should be fixed closer to the cutting tool, pressing it to the table as much as possible. When cutting slabs to size, thermal expansion should be taken into account, leaving room for thermal movement. When cutting mirror plates, in order to prevent peeling of the reflective layer, it is necessary to place the material with the laminated side up. Holes in polycarbonate are made with a screw drill. During the drilling process, it is important that the slab adheres tightly to the base.
Cleaning and polishing
The resistance of polycarbonate to various chemicals makes it easy to care for. To clean this material, it is enough to have a 100% cotton cloth and a mild detergent with water. Can be usedspecial cleaners, commercially available in a large assortment. The advantage of these products is their ability to create a film on the surface of polycarbonate that will protect against dust and static electricity. It is enough to carry out such a procedure once every 2 weeks.
It is not recommended to use windshield wipers for cleaning, because the ammonia included in their composition can destroy monolithic polycarbonate. Photos and descriptions of products designed to clean this material will help you make the right choice.
Methods of fixing monolithic polycarbonate
The creation of various products from polycarbonate, whether it is a protective partition or a showcase, requires the sheets to be fixed using special structures that are also used for ordinary glass. There are two installation methods - wet and dry.
The wet method involves the use of polymer putty, which is applied to its edge and around the perimeter of the frame before installing the sheet. For more complete sealing, special gaskets are used and the joint is treated with sealant.
More clean is the dry method - using mechanical means. Sheets are fixed using threaded connections, self-tapping screws in combination with gaskets and seals. Holes in the sheet intended for fastening to the frame must be drilled in advance, before installation. The fastening pitch is approximately 500 mm. The hole should be at least 20mm from the edge of the sheet and have a diameter 2-3mm larger than the fastener.
Among the polycarbonates on the building materials market, monolithic occupies a leading position both in quality and in price. Cellular polycarbonate is much more affordable, but has slightly different properties.
