Longlife polycarbonate is a superior glazing material that features a co-extruded UV protection to both sides of the sheet which prevents damaging UV radiation from penetrating the sheet. As a Longlife polycarbonate is ideal for use in some of the world’s toughest climatic conditions as its UV protection leads to longer sheet life expectancy, prevents yellowing and guards against loss of strength. It also cuts out 98% of the harmful UV radiation to protect those working or playing beneath it. It is ideal for outdoor use such as architectural rooflights, vertical glazing and specialist glazing applications.
Longlife polycarbonate is also available with a Strong Adhesion Film (SAF), aimed at high-end engineering and fabrication projects that require extra protection during repeated processing, including milling, drilling, bending, cutting and thermoforming.
| Sheet Size | Thicknesses |
|---|---|
| 1220 x 2440 | 3.0mm - 6.0mm |
| 2050 x 3050 | 2.0mm - 15.0mm |
| 2050 x 6110 | 2.0mm - 6.0mm |
| Property | Test Method | Value | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical | |||
| Density | DIN 53479 | 1.2 | g/cm3 |
| Water Absorption (23oC) | DIN 53495:A | 0.35 | % |
Water Permeability | DIN 53122 | <2.28 | g/cm3 |
| Mechanical | |||
| Tensile Strength at Yield | DIN 53455 | >60 | MPa |
| Tensile Strength at Break | DIN 53455 | <70 | MPa |
| Tensile Modulus | DIN 53457 | 2300 | MPa |
| Impact Strength @ 23oC (Notched Charpy) | DIN 53453 | 50 | kJ/m2 |
| Optical | |||
| Light Transmission | DIN 5036 | 87-91 | % |
| Refractive Index | DIN 53491 | 1.586 | |
| Thermal | |||
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | DIN 53752 | 68 | m/m.K x 10-6 |
| Thermal Conductivity | DIN 52612 | 0.2 | W/m.K |
| Max Continuous Service Temp | >100 | oC |
An advantage of flat polycarbonate sheet is that it is more efficient at preventing heat loss than traditional glazing materials of comparable thickness. The U value is used to compare the insulation properties of materials. It measures the amount of heat passing through the material for a unit area for every degree of temperature difference across the material. Therefore the lower the U value the better the material will retain the heat within the building.
Polycarbonate: 5.41 W/m2K (3mm)
Glass: 5.87 W/m2K (3mm)
Although polycarbonate can be successfully welded using various techniques it can be problematical and for this reason it should be carried out by specialists.
There are high tensile stresses generated in the weld area as the material cools.
Annealing must be used to relieve these stresses otherwise the resultant construction can be brittle and prone to chemical attack resulting in crazing.
The strength of the finished weld may be only 35 to 45% of the standard material.
In order to maintain flat polycarbonate in a good condition it is recommended that the sheet be stored in accordance with the points below:
The following precautions should be observed:
Flat polycarbonate sheet can be installed in a diversity of applications, with varying temperatures. The material’s mechanical performance is known to remain stable in prolonged service in temperatures ranging from –20 to +100 °C (Short term unstressed -40 to +130°C).
Polycarbonate flat sheet is easy to saw and cut on standard workshop equipment. It can be machined on conventional milling machines with standard high speed tools. Notches adversely affect the mechanical properties of polycarbonate and should be avoided.
Polycarbonate flat sheet can be laser cut, engraved and marked although the exact conditions will vary depending on the set up.
Lukewarm water and ordinary non-abrasive household detergent and a sponge or soft cloth is normally sufficient, however for degreasing and cleaning prior to secondary operations the following solvents are suitable: ethanol, isopropanol and white kerosene.
Rinsing the surface with water or antistatic cleaning agent can reduce static charge. Another method is to blow down the sheet with ionised air. The effect of this treatment is short term but usually sufficient for subsequent operations.
In order to maintain flat polycarbonate sheet in a good condition it is recommended that the sheet be cleaned periodically using suitable household cleaning agents.
The recommended cleaning instructions are as follows:
Warning
The following precautions should be observed:
Applications using flat polycarbonate sheet must make adequate allowance for thermal movement, nominally 3.5 mm per metre.
Adequate clearance must be allowed in the holes drilled for fixing and sheet lengths have to be limited so that there is not excessive movement at the ends. 3mm sheets can be cold curved down to a minimum radius of 450mm. For good design practice it is advised that a 3mm flat sheet not be curved below 525mm. It is essential that compatible gaskets or silicon be used in installation.
