Cellular polycarbonate

Cellular polycarbonate

Cellular, or cellular sheet polycarbonate is a plastic which is made from polycarbonate by an extrusion method that means fusion of granules and expression of this weight through a special form which defines a structure and a design of a leaf. Hollow sheets in which 2 or more layers of polycarbonate are connected by the internal longitudinal stiffening ribs focused in the direction of leaf length turn out.
High plasticity and durability of the material does possible to receive in the extrusive way sheets with very thin walls (0,3-0,7 mm) without loss of shock-resistant characteristics and at the same time with very small weight. The air which is contained in emptiness between leaf layers provides its high heat-insulating properties, and stiffening ribs - big constructive durability in relation to weight. Sometimes for this material the name "the structured polycarbonate" is used.

It is possible to select the following main characteristics of goods:

Ultrahigh shock durability (cellular polycarbonate with a small weight is 200 times stronger than glass 8 times stronger than acrylic plastics and PVC).

High thermal stability (properties depend on changes of temperature a little, and critical temperatures at which this material becomes fragile are out of the range of possible temperatures of operation).

High fire resistance (material is hardly flammable and self-fading, at very high temperatures material melts, but does not allow distribution of a flame; burning of polycarbonate is not followed by release of toxic agents, unlike other plastics).

Extreme ease, small specific weight (cellular polycarbonate weighs 16 times less, than glass and 3 times less, than acryle of similar thickness).

High heat-insulating properties, low heat conductivity (thermolysis coefficient - 2,5 W / м2К, resistance to a transmission of heat is higher, than at usual single-layer glass that allows to cut power consumptions on heating and cooling approximately for 30-50%; thanks to low heat conductivity sheets are used at a glazing of buildings, greenhouses, greenhouses).

High transparency (transparency - to 86%, sheets of cellular polycarbonate are ideally suited for cases in which the maximum transparency, good dispersion of light in the double panel, lack of a shadow, a prize due to reflection on partitions is required).

Good shumo-and sound insulation.

High chemical stability (sheets can be applied even in hostile environment without change of a chemical composition and properties).

Durability on a bend and on a gap.

Excellent resistance to atmospheric actions (resistance to the most adverse climatic conditions; cellular polycarbonate is suitable for application in the range of temperatures from - 400C to +1200 °C, the special external layer protects sheets from yellowing (degradation) and wear of a surface).

Durability, invariance of properties (mechanical, optical and thermal properties of sheets from cellular polycarbonate remain unchangeable during all warranty period and even longer, a warranty period of service of 10-12 years).

There is a possibility of processing of sheets the special covering ("antifog") preventing formation of drops of water on leaf inside. This covering on which the five-year guarantee is given is strong and steady against moisture and various chemicals. Sheets with such covering are recommended to be used at construction of pools, winter gardens, and also greenhouses as due to prevention of formation of drops transparency increases and incidence of plants decreases.

Safety of a glazing (polycarbonate is viscous polymer therefore the sheets made of it do not break, do not crack, and, therefore, sharp splinters at blow).

Protection against ultra-violet radiation (the special protective layer applied on an external surface of sheets interferes with penetration of the radiations, most harmful to the internal room of UF).

Ample constructional opportunities.



An opportunity to create easy, original and elegant designs is a consequence of the listed features; to increase the area of a light-transmitting surface due to increase in width of flight of the bearing design; to make installation without lifting mechanisms.
The big format of sheets and opportunity are flexible in a cold state, does sheets by ideal material for a covering of constructions of an irregular geometrical shape: arch, vaulted designs and other, geometrically difficult construction projects. Ease of processing allows to carry out simple and fast installation.
Special polycarbonate profiles which possess the same color scale and the same mechanical properties are applied to installation of cellular polycarbonate. They are very simple in assembly and create visibility of an integral design. Depreciation of object under construction (use of cellular polycarbonate reduces a total cost of object under construction as the small weight of sheets allows to reduce the volume of the bearing designs).
The main technical characteristics of production are given in the table.

Technical characteristics of cellular polycarbonate

* Depends on the producer and structure of a leaf.

Cellular polycarbonate finds application in the following areas:

1. In construction material is used for a roofing and vertical glazing of various designs (translucent, protecting, spherical, the ave.):

residential, trade, industrial buildings and constructions
objects of agricultural purpose
stadiums, gyms, tennis courts, pools
greenhouses, greenhouses, winter gardens, internal court yard
cylindrical arches
the covered parkings and gas station
summer cafes
stops of public transport
arbors
canopies
balconies
telephone and shower cabins.

2. In decorative registration:

office and exhibition partitions
doors
peaks
window dressing.

3. In outdoor advertizing:

basis for signs
production of various elements with internal illumination (light a box and so forth)
production of large-size advertizing media
production of billboards.

4. In the packing industry:

production of covers for fragile objects
production of boxes, protective weeds.


Main ways of processing of cellular polycarbonate: cutting and drilling.
It is recommended to store sheets on a flat surface (on the pallet or on wooden areal beams), located at distance no more than 1 m. The pile of sheets needs to be isolated opaque material for protection them from wind, a rain and the sun.