Eric Pier

Bob Longo

Construction 152

3/2/13

Polycarbonate panels in commercial application

There are many reasons for the interest in day lighting, the high cost of fossil fuels

and the realization that sources of electricity have a limited life; perhaps even more

important though are the less tangible aspects of day lighting which relate more to the

human spirit, and the quality of life. From office buildings to schools, manufacturing

plants to hotels, day lighting plays an important role in a building’s design. The

California Board for Energy Efficiency conducted a study who’s results show that day

lighting boosts everything from employee morale to student’s test scores, while

decreasing the length of hospital stays and increasing retail traffic. Day lighting not only

supports our efforts with sustainability, helps conserve energy resources but improves our

overall productivity and well-being. The use of polycarbonate to enhance day lighting in

architectural design is playing an ever-growing part in this movement to bring daylight

into our lives.

 

                               

Specifications

• Master specification number- Polycarbonates do not have a master spec. # but are

identified as other, 7 , in the Resin identification code ( identification of plastics)

• Manufactures- Sabic – LEXAN, Bayer – MAKROLON, Teijin Chemical Limited

– PANLITE, IDEMITSU – TARFLON, Omay – Polyopt, Nalge Nunc

International- Nalgene, and Mobay Chemical Company - MERLON

Applications

• Primary use- Polycarbonate panels are primarily used in construction for,

skylights, roofs, clear story windows, and wall sheathing

• Physical properties-

o Finish- smooth and UV protected but has low scratch resistance

o Forms / shapes-

o Dimensions- available in 4’ & 6’ wide sheets up to 36’ long x 10mm thick

(recommended for commercial use)

o Weight- approximately .45 lbs. per sq. ft.

• Acoustic properties- a new type of panel has been designed to offer enhanced

acoustic values to a space (Lightben acoustic)

• Structural properties-

o Primary structure- plycarbonate panels are 200 times more durable than

glass due to the various designs of the structure inside the envelope.

o Secondary structure-

• Instillation- the process of installation varies depending on the choice of panel.

For ease of installation no special tools are required.

• Cost- approximately $2 per sq. ft.

Back round

• How its made- through a series of chemical reactions a compound is produced

know as Polycarbonate of Bisphenol A

• What its mad of- panels are manufactured out of a hard plastic polymer substance

known as Bisphenol A

• Production proses- it can be given its shape by different processes, which include

injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion -and thermoforming. Polycarbonate

roof sheets are manufactured by the process of extrusion

• Byproducts- none

Environmental impact

• Life expectancy- A 10 year warranty is the industry standard for polycarbonate

sheet products though the working life is normally considerably longer. Actual

performance depends on individual applications and local environmental factors,

but 20 years and over is now becoming common.

• Maintenance- After they have been installed there is very little maintenance,

requiring only the occasional wash with mild warm soapy water.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2755632

• Eco-friendly- Polycarbonate is an energy-efficient solution and is 100%

recyclable at the end of its life. The use of multiwall polycarbonate can also

qualify for LEED credits.