Polycarbonate honeycomb: technical characteristics, application

In recent years on private plots there are fewer and fewer glasshouses. In place of this fragile material came polycarbonate honeycomb, the technical characteristics of which far exceed other transparent panels. A variety of colors and sizes make it even more popular.

Cellular polycarbonate cellular - a two- or three-layer polymer, which has internal stiffeners.

Characteristics of cellular polycarbonate and its application

This modern material is chosen by many buyers. Why? It's all about low cost. In addition, manufacturers say that polycarbonate can serve 10-20 years, and with due care this period can be significantly increased. The life expectancy is influenced not only by the accuracy in operation, but also by the transportation features. Storage of panels should also comply with all requirements contained in the technical recommendations.

Before starting the installation, the owners need to make sure that the film layer is homogeneous, there are no scratches, cracks and creases on the material. Another reason that forces manufacturers to intentionally indicate a shorter service life is that cellular polycarbonate, whose technical characteristics allow it to serve 25 years or more, can fade under the influence of direct sunlight. In this situation, the most vulnerable places are small damaged areas.

Basic characteristics of polycarbonate

1. Low thermal conductivity, which reduces the cost of heating and cooling by about 2 times.
2. Excellent noise insulation allows the use of cellular material for fencing and gazebos.
3. Light weight: polycarbonate lighter than glass 16 times, acrylic - 6 times.
4. High strength. The material does not crumble under mechanical influence and does not give sharp fragments. It is 200 times stronger than glass and 8 times - acrylic. In places of bending, polycarbonate retains its strength.
5. Resistance to environmental influences, such as wind, hail and snow.
6. Low flammability. It does not support combustion, but simply melts, without releasing hazardous substances.
7. Good light transmission. The material perfectly disperses light and has 86% transparency.
8. Water absorption - for 24 hours 0,35%.

All these characteristics of cellular polycarbonate deserve a detailed consideration.

Thermal conductivity and thermal insulation of polycarbonate

The honeycomb panels have inside a natural air layer, which is an excellent heat insulator.

The characteristics of the thermal conductivity of the material give the right to compare it with fiberglass panels, glass and acrylic. Of the wide variety of polymer panels, only polycarbonate has a multi-walled structure, which makes it possible to use it as a substitute for silicate glass.

A polycarbonate glass unit with a thickness of 8 mm keeps the same amount of heat in the room as a double glazing unit .

Weight of polycarbonate

Cellular leaf material has become popular with many gardeners and landlords because of their small weight. This feature significantly reduces labor and installation time.

Polycarbonate honeycomb, whose technical characteristics depend on the thickness, has a weight of 0.8-2.7 kg / m ² . Builders compare it to single glass and acrylic. This clearly demonstrates the advantage of polycarbonate. For example, a honeycomb sheet 8 mm thick weighs 1.5 kg / m ² , an acrylic material 3.5 kg / m ² , and a single glass 20 kg / m ² .

Light transmission of cellular polycarbonate

Depending on the type, two-layer polymer panels have different ability to transmit solar rays. Color cellular polycarbonate, whose characteristics vary depending on the degree of surface tinting, is produced in a wide range. Red, blue, gray, green and turquoise material transmits light only 25-45% depending on the thickness. For a pleasant stay of a person in the room, a special "comfort" tone is developed. Its light transmittance is 50-55% and does not cause a feeling of rub or tear in the eyes, so it is used in the glazing of swimming pools and gyms. Saturated white panels absorb 70-80% of the rays, and translucent - only 25-50%.

Light-transmitting characteristics of honeycomb polycarbonate have one more feature: it does not allow passage of most of the ultraviolet radiation harmful to humans and plants. That is why they are so often covered with greenhouses. The special stabilizing layer with UV-protection, the thickness of which is not less than 50 microns, contributes to elimination of the negatively acting rays. This is not all the positive characteristics of polycarbonate.

The technical characteristics of the material make it possible to minimize the rays of the extreme part of the infrared spectral zone, so the heat emitted by the plants remains inside the room, creating a special microclimate. The so-called greenhouse effect is widely used in large greenhouses and winter gardens, where flowers and trees warm themselves.

This is not all the features that the cellular polycarbonate boasts. Technical characteristics of this material provide for a uniform redistribution of incoming rays. Depending on the color of the panels, the light turns bright or muffled.

Developers have achieved this by repeatedly reflecting the incoming beam in the stiffeners and layers of material. As a result of redistribution inside the building, a uniform "light screen" is created.

Fire safety when working with polycarbonate

Cell standard sheets must meet the requirements of technical regulations for fire safety. Depending on the manufacturer, they can belong to group B1 or B2 - it is difficult to ignite and moderately flammable materials, respectively. These honeycomb panels were classified as low-risk building materials for the toxicity of combustion products.

Polycarbonate refers to materials with a small smoke-generating capacity - D1. The peculiarity of combustion is that the flame does not spread over the surface, but only swells and melts it. As a result, light thin threads are formed that touch the ground already cooled. The material melts in foci, creating holes for the exit of smoke. Polycarbonate belongs to the group RP1 in accordance with SNiP 21-01-97.

Polycarbonate honeycomb, whose technical characteristics for fire safety are quite high, yet it is not recommended to use it as a roofing material on residential buildings. You can not use it to finish the escape routes and paths.

Features of the operation of cellular polycarbonate in various weather conditions

Special properties of the material allow using it at temperatures of -40 ... +120 ° C. In this range, all technical and optical characteristics of products remain.

Standard sheets are capable of withstanding heavy loads from wind and snow. When using cellular panels in places where they will be subjected to a permanent mechanical action, choose a material 16 mm thick or more.

Proper care for polycarbonate

Proper maintenance of the material allows you to maintain the original characteristics of polycarbonate. Technical characteristics of panels will be optimal if they are laid with a protective layer outside.

Wipe the material with a soft cloth or sponge. For cleaning, use only gentle cleansers without phenols, chlorine, acetone, alkalis, ethers, aldehydes and ammonia.

Thus, polycarbonate honeycomb, characteristics, dimensions, properties and parameters of which are not inferior to glass, is successfully used today in various fields of industry and construction.