Polycarbonate in construction and building

High-performance thermoplastic polycarbonate is widely utilized in building and construction items, such as exterior LED lighting elements, wall panels, roof domes, windows, and skylights. Polycarbonate has many qualities that make it useful in various applications, including strong impact and heat resistance, good flammability resistance, great optical clarity, and durability.

The several building applications that benefit from polycarbonate's excellent performance are listed below:

  • Glass can be substituted with polycarbonate in a range of window and skylight applications. In addition to letting natural light into a building, polycarbonate sheets and panels can be tinted to cut down on the amount of sunshine that reflects within a structure and reduce summer interior cooling expenses. A standard application of solar-control polycarbonate sheet for window and roof glazing can, depending on the gauge, help to lower interior heat and save energy in a temperature-controlled environment.
  • Polycarbonate sheet products are designed and supplied in a wide range of thicknesses, structural strengths and configurations that also meet LEED requirements. These materials range from opaque cladding panels to canopies, barrel vaults, skylights, translucent walls and signage, roof domes and louvers. Thermoforming is a heat-based thermoplastic molding process that can be used to give polycarbonate a wide range of complex shapes. Like metal, these can also be cold bent. Numerous architectural features, such as accentuated curves of arches or straight panels, are made possible by a number of polycarbonate forming processes.
  • With its energy savings, long life and durability, light-emitting diode (LED) lighting is a top choice for both residential and commercial lighting fixtures. It is a durable external element for LED lighting that maintains its crystal clarity over time. In addition, it is low flammable, transparent, impact and heat-resistant, and offers increased energy efficiency when used in LED lights.
  • Security glazing, which fortifies prisons, guard booths, bank teller shields, convenience stores, hurricane shutters, field hockey rink enclosures, etc., is made of polycarbonate. In particular, it is an excellent material for security applications, such as blast and bullet resistant windows, because of its impact resistance. It is as transparent as glass and has an advantage over substitutes such as glass wire and metal screens. It offers substantial insulation when used in a multi-wall configuration, which improves energy efficiency. Likewise, it can also increase energy efficiency and offer protection against infrared radiation when coated with solar control technology.
  • Sports stadium roofs make considerable use of polycarbonate to shield spectators from inclement weather and continue play, while letting in natural light and reducing energy use.

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What is Polycarbonate?

Even if you are not aware of it, you have certainly used a product today that contains polycarbonate. Polycarbonate, after all, is used in just about everything such as eyeglasses, auto parts, medical devices, DVD's, lighting fixtures and Blu-rays. This is a naturally transparent amorphous thermoplastic that is important because it can withstand significantly greater impacts than many other polymers in regular use, yet transmits light internally almost as effectively as glass. In addition, the material's flexibility allows it to be molded without breaking or cracking at room temperature and to be reshaped even in the absence of heat. The term "thermoplastic" describe the property of polycarbonate and other comparable polymers that allows them to melt to a liquid state, making injection molding and recycling a simple process.

Applications

Although prized for its strength and flexibility, the transparency of polycarbonate sheet is what makes it suitable for a wide range of uses that other materials cannot. As mentioned above, it is widely used in eyewear manufacturing because it naturally filters UV rays and is lighter than glass. Here are some more particular uses that highlight the potential of this incredibly adaptable material:

  • Bulletproof windows.
  • Barriers and fences.
  • Protective Eyewear.
  • Greenhouses.
  • Fountain pens.
  • Luggage.
  • Insulation.
  • Lighting.
  • Protective gear.
  • Machinery guards.
  • Vehicle headlights.
  • Roofing.

Moreover, polycarbonate is frequently used in prototypes as well as final goods. Because of its strength and clarity, it's an ideal substitute for glass in experiments and studies.