Thermal conductivity of polycarbonate

Comprehending the thermal conductivity of roofing materials is essential for both comfort and energy efficiency. Popular in contemporary construction, polycarbonate has special qualities that affect how heat is transferred through it.

A thermoplastic that is lightweight and durable, polycarbonate is a preferred choice for roofing, particularly in spaces that want natural light. Its low thermal conductivity—the ability to transfer heat slowly—is one of its distinguishing qualities. Because it decreases heat gain in warmer climates and heat loss in colder climates, this property aids in maintaining stable indoor temperatures.

Polycarbonate functions as a thermal insulator in contrast to materials like metals that have a higher heat conductivity. Because it can minimize energy costs by lowering the need for additional heating or cooling, this insulating capability is advantageous in roofing applications. Its capacity to diffuse light also lessens glare and evenly disperses natural daylight throughout an area, improving indoor comfort and productivity.

Architects and builders must comprehend polycarbonate’s thermal conductivity in order to design energy-efficient buildings. They can design structures that are both long-term economically beneficial and environmentally friendly by selecting materials like polycarbonate that have good thermal insulation qualities.

Thermal conductivity of polycarbonate – durable material for maintaining heat

In the market for building products, polycarbonate ranks among the top sellers along with a variety of finishing materials. This kind of construction industry is in demand because of its dependability, usefulness, longevity, and affordable price. Regarding durability, most manufacturers offer a 15–20 year warranty for their products. Among other things, we will be especially mindful of the polycarbonate’s heat conductivity in this instance.

Main characteristics

Think about the primary features of this product in brief. In the factory, a polycarbonate of chemical polymers is produced using specialized machinery. The sheets are robust and relatively low. This material can withstand both high and low temperatures and is sufficiently flexible. The characteristics of the polymer composition are maintained at temperatures between -40 and +110 s. Two primary categories of polymer products exist:

The structure of the sheet is the primary distinction between monolithic and cellular polycarbonate. Cellular is made up of two paintings with a lattice structure that is air-filled inside and is joined by vertical inserts. possesses good light transmission. It is employed in the installation process:

• awnings and roofs;
• greenhouses and greenhouse complexes;
• lining of various surfaces.

It would be wise to familiarize yourself with some of the material’s properties, such as polycarbonate’s thermal conductivity, before making a purchase and using it.

The concept of thermal conductivity

A common query is what is meant by the term "thermal conductivity." This characteristic suggests that heat, or energy, can move from one body to another. To put it succinctly, the degree and duration to which a given material can hold onto heat. This physical characteristic is directly influenced by the sheet’s thickness and structure. The following formula is used for calculation, with the following primary indicators:

• The density of the substance;
• coefficient of thermal conductivity;
• Vector and the amount of heat directed to the surface.

It should be noted that polycarbonate retains heat better the lower its coefficient of thermal conductivity. This value for a cellular polymer is roughly 0.026 W/μh. We provide a number of other substances that have this attribute for comparison:

The ability of polycarbonate to maintain heat

The thermal conductivity of monolithic and cellular polycarbonate, as already noted, depends on the substance itself from which the sheets are made. This indicator is important when choosing and purchasing this construction product, since it is important to accurately calculate the loss of heat and the cost of heating a particular room in advance. Monolithic polycarbonate has a lower thermal conductivity than a cell phone, despite which it retains heat 25 % better than glass and 30 % better than polyethylene. Mobile, thanks to its structure (sot filled with air), retains the largest amount of thermal energy. Thanks to this, it is widely used for lining of greenhouses and greenhouses. A common practice is the installation of cellular polycarbonate in the form of thermal insulation.

Note: Because the air inside the honeycombs is a relatively poor heat conductor, the material retains a lot of heat during the winter months due to its structure and properties.

Thermal expansion

Thermal expansion is an additional crucial property of the material that cannot be disregarded. As is common knowledge, many substances expand and compress in response to changes in temperature. Polycarbonate is no different, possessing the same characteristic. As a result, when installing polycarbonate, both cellular and monolithic, it is important to consider its coefficient of thermal expansion. It is very easy to calculate this indicator. A straightforward formula is applied here:

Where KR is the expansion coefficient, which is equal to 0.065 mm/s, T is the temperature amplitude, and G is the standard sheet’s dimensions.

Simple calculations show that 1 m polymer will expand and compress in 5.2 mm at a temperature amplitude of -40 to +40 °C (80 degrees Celsius).

L = 5.2 mm (1 × 80 × 0.065).

The indicators of thermal expansion must be considered when installing the casing. This is accomplished by using a unique profile at the joints, whereby the required space is left during installation to borrow the sheet. Effective fasteners are designed with a hole diameter that is marginally greater than the screw thickness. Use screws along with haired thermoplastic materials.

A crucial point to keep in mind is that these calculations and indicators are appropriate for specific kinds of material. Dark-colored sheets absorb more sunlight; hence, during the hot season, there will be a 20–30% increase in expansion.

The only characteristic of polycarbonate that has drawn producers and greenhouses is its thermal conductivity; however, cellular polycarbonate has a thermal conductivity that is higher than.

In this piece for "All about the Roof," we investigate polycarbonate’s thermal conductivity. Determining polycarbonate’s suitability as a roofing material requires an understanding of how well the material conducts heat. We will explain thermal conductivity in layman’s words, discuss its importance for building energy efficiency, and contrast polycarbonate with other popular roofing materials. By the time it’s all through, you’ll understand exactly how the thermal characteristics of polycarbonate affect how well it performs, enabling you to choose wisely when using it for roofing."

Thermal conductivity of sheets of cellular polycarbonate SELLLEX

Thermal conductivity: what is it?

Thermal conductivity, as a physical property, implies a certain ability to transmit thermal energy atoms from one body that has more than this energy, to another body, respectively, less filled with this energy. Thermal conductivity is crucial when choosing building and finishing materials, therefore it is measured and compared with competitive samples. It can be measured by calculating the volume of heat, which is able to draw through the studied material with a thickness of 1 m, per unit of time (in seconds). From the point of view of physics, each material in such a system or dependence will strive to achieve a common balance in thermal terms, namely, to level the balance of heat.

The thermal conductivity of polycarbonate SELLLEX sheets

When it comes to thermal insulation, the structure of SELLEX’s polycarbonate sheets offers a number of advantages. Comparing the hollow form to continuous materials for glazing, the hollow form offers better thermal insulation qualities with less heat loss. The amount of heat that moves through one square meter of glazed zone material in an hour when the temperature changes by one degree Celsius is known as the coefficient of thermal conductivity, which is used to describe heat loss.

SELLLEX cellular polycarbonate’s insulating qualities will also help to prevent the cold from penetrating the building as much. In winter, the temperature on the inner surface of the sheet stays higher the lower the heat conductivity coefficient. An illustration of the temperature change through a 6 mm thick polycarbonate sheet at an exterior temperature of -10 °C and an indoor air temperature of +20 °C is shown below.

In comparison to a single glass, the interior surface of the glass will be significantly colder than the surrounding air under the same circumstances. This will impact the room’s overall temperature and cause discomfort in the vicinity of the windows.

Determining the thermal conductivity of polycarbonate in practice

One of the most crucial characteristics of polycarbonate as a building material is its thermal conductivity. All of the data regarding cellular polycarbonate’s thermal conductivity was discovered and confirmed through experimentation (see the section above).

Heat conductivity of SELLLEX sheets made of cellular polycarbonate Thermal conductivity: what is it? As a physical characteristic, thermal conductivity denotes a certain capacity for thermal energy transfer.

Comparative characteristics of polycarbonate sheets with other materials

1. Minimum radius of bending, m:

Approximate formula for figuring out polycarbonate’s minimum bending radius:

Where t denotes the sheet’s thickness.

2. Coefficient of linear thermal expansion

The polycarbonate’s coefficient of linear thermal expansion

6-5.2-2×10-5 1/k, t.e. Each linear meter of the sheet experiences a 0.065¸0.072 mm decrease or increase in all directions when the temperature changes by 1º. In addition, bronze, blue, and turquoise sheets have twice the coefficient of linear thermal expansion of transparent and opal sheets.

The difference in temperature throughout the year is used to determine the minimum tolerance for thermal expansion (both in the length and width of the sheet).

Example of calculation: the gap between the sheet and the structure is 4.55 mm (0.065x1x70 = 4.55 mm) when mounting a sheet in a rigid structure that is 1 meter long and has a temperature difference of 70 °C (from -25 °C to +45 °C) for a year.

3. Resistance to chemicals

For glazing, stronex polycarbonate sheet works well when combined with a variety of construction materials and compositions. Pre-testing is required for all additional materials that come into contact with polycarbonate due to the complexity of chemical compatibility.

Polycarbonate is highly resistant to many chemically active media. It is not exposed to most inorganic and organic acids, oxidative and recovery agents, acidic and basic salts, aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, detergents, fats and lubricants. The chemical resistance of the PC depends on the concentration of chemicals and on the ambient temperature when exposed. After long -term in water at a temperature above 60 ° C, for example, a PC responds to contact with some solvents, aqueous and alcohol solutions of alkalis, gaseous ammonia and amines. Watching the compositions for cleaning glass containing ammonia, as they destroy polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is soluble in technical solvents: ethylene chloride, tetrahloretan, metakreisole and pyridine.

1. The good chemical resistance of polycarbonate (refer to Table 1) is unaffected by load, temperature, or length of exposure.

2. Soft soap solutions, heptan or hexane, methyl or isopropyl alcohol, and cleaning agents are used to clean polycarbonate parts. Strong acids, alkalins like sodium hydroxide, ketones like methylene and acetone, and partially hydrated hydrocarbons should not be used for cleaning. 3. Isopropanol, a White Spirit solvent free of aromatic hydrocarbons, should be used to remove paint (graffiti) from the polycarbonate sheet.

4. Rubbing the sheet’s surface with brushes, metallized cloth, or other abrasive materials is not advised.

4. Polycarbonate sheets’ optical characteristics

Due to the high light permeability of polycarbonate, cellular polycarbonate often has an indicator of 90% or more, depending on the thickness of the sheet, which is higher than that of regular acrylic glasses.

5. Sound-absorbing qualities

The wavelength and frequency of the air waves cause the noise, which is quantified by their pressure. Decibels are used to measure noise; noise below 60 dB is considered quiet, noise between 65 and 90 dB is considered significant, and noise above 90 dB is considered destructive. It is well known that expanding the air layer between such structures or the mass of the structure’s delaying noise are two ways to reduce noise. Structural polycarbonate sheets with thicknesses ranging from 4 to 16 mm reduce noise to a level of 18 to 23 dB.

Comparing a single pane of glass and a monolithic sheet of Stronex for sound absorption

Monolithic sheets dramatically reduce sound transmission, especially low-frequency sound such as urban noise, when applied over 50 mm from regular glass.

6. The qualities of thermal insulation

Leaf polycarbonate, like the majority of other transparent polymeric materials, is a great alternative to silicate glass and can be used for glazing, particularly protective glazing. The heat transfer coefficient (K), which measures thermal insulation in this instance, serves as the primary operational indicator.

When thermal insulation is the primary requirement, the multi-station structure of the Stronex polycarbonate sheets offers significant advantages. When compared to glasses of similar thickness, polycarbonate sheets provide significant energy savings (up to 50%) on heating and cooling costs because of their lower thermal conductivity. Additionally, the air trapped between the stiffeners, or walls, acts as an excellent heat insulator, maintaining the room’s temperature regime.

Even the thinnest structural polycarbonate sheets (4 mm) have nearly twice as much thermal insulation as simple glazing. Eight mm thick sheets are ahead of double-glazed windows, while sixteen to twenty-five mm thick sheets are more thermally insulating than double-glazed windows with triple glazing.

7. Modifying the PC’s technical specs in response to the raw materials utilized and the outside temperature

The technical properties of polycarbonate sheets are consistent with the information provided in the Technical User Manual (TU) for products and are not affected by the raw materials utilized.

Operating properties of polycarbonate are maintained over a temperature range of -400C to 1200C.

UV radiation cannot penetrate polycarbonate without additional protection. Mechanical damage sensitivity (scratching occurrence).

Transparent pedestrian crossings, sound-absorbing screens beside roads, transparent greenhouse roofs, bulletproof partitions, anti-shift fences, transparent building domes, anti-aircraft lights, and protective anti-vandal glazing (with a special coating from graffiti application) are some examples of transparent structures with protective anti-vandal glazing.

Using this material as glazing for greenhouses, winter gardens, etc. has the added benefit of preventing heat output and contributing to the greenhouse effect due to a slight lack of infrared radiation (wavelength: 2000–3000 Nm).

Lack of UV protection without a protective coating; condensation forming inside the cells due to inadequate ventilation; and placing the sheets incorrectly when they were being installed. Mechanical damage sensitivity (scratching occurrence).

The roofs of stadiums, swimming pools, markets, pedestrian crossings, awnings and visors, industrial vertical glazing, anti-aircraft lights, winter garden and greenhouse roofs and walls, transparent partitions, light boxes, and outdoor advertising signs are examples of structures.

The material has a high strength and is easy to process.Exceptionally strong resistance to air currents and transparent. It is extremely hard. It can be used for air transport glazing and contact lens manufacturing because there are no optical distortions. distinguished by a strong resistance to the effects of aging and environmental variables. UV-resistant. ecologically favorable.

Withstands temperatures as low as -700C. possesses strong chemical resistance, even to motor fuel

Sensitivity to mechanical damage (scratches); steam and gas permeability (ability to absorb water vapor from the environment and evaporate with a drop in relative humidity);

Building Aircraft: Aviation Glass.

The substance is more resistant to impact. Comparing it to impact-resistant polystyrene (HIPS), polystyrene (GPPS), and other materials, it has a higher resistance to shock loads. The copolymers of Styroll. possesses strong chemical resistance. racks for lubricants and alkalis. Certain brands possess antistatic qualities. has a stable size. reduced electrical insulating qualities define this trait.

Not sunstrokes (using specific additives makes you more resistant to UV radiation).

Automotive industry: bus interior components, door panels, car radios, and interior vehicle cladding (with UV stabilization).

Because sheets are so easily formed, you can create intricately designed parts and products with deep hoods. This material’s high impact strength makes it suitable for light drilling, milling, and sawing operations after the product is completed. Ideal for soldering contacts, applying galvanic coating, and metallization (specific brands exist).

Its processing characteristics are good and its impact resistance is very good (only surpassed by polycarbonate).

Transparent PMMA and PC are comparable to PET sheets in terms of appearance and transmission. PET, however, has a ten-fold higher shock strength than PMM. PET has a high level of chemical resistance to acids, alkalis, salts, alcohols, paraffins, and mineral oils when it comes to media aggression. PET sheets are glueable, just like PMMA, PS, and PC sheets are.

Because of their slight internal stresses, PET sheets are easy to process. PET sheets do not need to be partially dried.

Chloroform, methylene chloride, ethylacetate, toluole, acetone, benzene, and methylence are among the solvents that PET is soluble in.

Smooth, transparent polystyrene can be used in place of glass in situations where the building needs internal glazing. It is perfect for internal glazing, the creation of showers and decorative partitions, trade and exhibition equipment, and light dispersion when it comes in transparent and translucent (different shades) forms. Textured polystyrene, such as chopped ice, pinsospot, and prism, and colored polystyrene are frequently utilized in the production of built-ins, suspended ceilings, partitions, and stained glass.

In its unaltered state as a delicate polystyrene material. Impact-resistant polystyrene is created by adding unique additives to the initial raw materials that boost impact resistance and plasticity.

· Resistance to frost down to -40°C,

· Chemical insensitivity to bases and acids,

· Environmental cleanliness (as it relates to food),

· Electro resistance, or the ability to withstand electrical current.

One highly combustible material is polystyrene.

Low UV resistance (in the absence of additional protection).

Impact-resistant polystyrene has an infinite range of applications; it is most frequently used for building architectural elements and outdoor advertising structures such as advertising shields and signs. Sheets can be sliced, drilled, bent, glued, and subjected to vacuum and heat release.

Visiting cards, a fountain pen, toys; food industry containers, packaging, and dishes; refrigerator, office, and medical equipment casings; cosmetics packaging; components of trade and exhibition equipment, plumbing equipment, and building finishing materials.

High shock strength, high resistance to multiple bends, low steam and gas permeability, and wear resistance similar to polyamides are the characteristics of polypropylene. Although it is a good dielectric, polypropylene is not a good heat conductor. It is resistant to boiling water, alkalis, and organic solvents; however, it darkens and degrades when exposed to a mixture of HNO3, H3SO4, and chrome.

When burning, cellular polypropylene only releases water and CO2.

At 70 °C, plastic temperature deformations start to occur.

Inadequate resistance when exposed to UV light.

Because of its poor resistance to heat and light, stabilizers made of polymeric materials are added to it as special additives.

Found extensive use in the production of gaskets, folders, boxes, and containers for packaging. In terms of dependable packaging in damp environments, it effectively supplants corrugated cardboard.

Materials for stencil printing and light suspended stands are manufactured using external advertising.

Polypropylene is used to make foam, machines, profiled products, pipes (for aggressive liquids), various reinforcement, containers, household items, and films and fibers that maintain their flexibility at temperatures between 100 and 130 degrees Celsius.

Foamed PVC plastics got their moniker because of their internal porous structure. PVC paste is sufficiently strong mechanically, resistant to moisture, has good electrical insulating qualities, and is resistant to acids and alkalis. It also has a beautiful appearance, is easy to cut, mold, weld, and glue, and does not dissolve in kerosene or gasoline. Foamed sheets offer superior thermal insulation and a low density. These sheets resist moisture well in addition to being made of hard PVC plastic. resistant to variations in temperature and atmospheric effects. limited combustibility. not harmful.

The foamed plastics’ shock strength diminishes at negative temperatures.

Signs, information displays, exhibition stands, shields, storefront windows, volumetric goods, and letters are examples of advertising.

Construction: interior design of spaces requiring high resistance to heat, humidity, and sound insulation (slopes of windows, wall cladding, partitions), as well as window frames, door panels, shelves, and other structures.

PVC plastics that have been foamed make an excellent surface for painting, varnishing, and applying self-adhesive films.

PVC foams are readily processed and adhere to one another well.

It is feasible to weld and mold these sheets.

It features a glossy or matte smooth surface, good stiffness, good impact resistance, and long-lasting resistance to environmental effects.

One material that is self-adjacent is hard PVC.

PVC plastics lose some of their shock strength when the temperature drops.

Hard PVC sheet plastics have a flat surface that is ideal for lamination and stencil printing. Plastic sandwich panels are made from hard PVC and are used in interior wall and window slope decoration. Hard PVC is utilized in the manufacturing of office equipment, containers, and chemically resistant ducts. Hard PVC sheets are used in the advertising industry to make products, molded signs, and exhibition stands.

Monolithic sheet polycarbonate is sold by the manufacturer at both wholesale and retail prices in Moscow and the surrounding area. Catalog, selection, affordable costs, and assurance of quality

Characteristics and dimensions of the polycarbonate sheet

In the CIS countries, polycarbonate has been used extensively in industry, construction, and the manufacturing of medical equipment during the last ten years.

Polycarbonate comes in two varieties: monolithic and cellular. Ninge will address each of them in turn.

Dimensions and characteristics of a sheet of cellular polycarbonate

The inner stiffeners are joined by multiple layers of cellular polycarbonate. Because of its structure, polycarbonate sheets have exceptional thermal insulation qualities and resemble honeycombs made of bees.

In addition, the number of "cells" (cameras) varies with the thickness of the sheet. Thus, a 10 mm polycarbonate, for instance, will have roughly three to four rows of cameras. And one row in four millimeters.

Furthermore, the material is transparent, disperses sunlight, and passes light well (transparent sheets have a light permeability level of between 80 and 90%).

Depending on their thickness and structure, sheets of cellular polycarbonate can have different light transmission coefficients.

Cellular polycarbonate is most frequently used in exhibition pavilions, winter gardens, and greenhouses.

Although manufacturers offer cellular sheets in a variety of colors, sales data indicates that a transparent material is an unwavering leader.

This material is used for the partition walls and roof, which refract sunlight to distribute it evenly throughout the space. Because of the inner floor space, polycarbonate retains heat perfectly during the cold months.

Comparative thermal conductivity property Glass and cellular polycarbonate:

Thermal conductivity of cellular polycarbonate derived from sheet thickness.

Undoubtedly, the weight of such material is another advantage.

Twelve times as light as a sheet of the same glass area is a polycarbonate sheet.

In other words, engineers consider small weight when determining the device of the supporting structure to which the sheets will be attached; this means that support racks can mount the least amount of metal. which considerably reduces the building construction’s ultimate cost.

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Anyone thinking about using polycarbonate for roofing projects needs to be aware of its thermal conductivity. In addition to being lightweight and strong, polycarbonate has superior thermal insulation qualities. This means that by minimizing heat gain in warmer weather and reducing heat loss in colder seasons, it can aid in maintaining stable indoor temperatures.

Polycarbonate’s low thermal conductivity is a benefit as opposed to some other roofing materials that readily conduct heat. By reducing heat transfer between a building’s interior and exterior, it contributes to the creation of a more comfortable indoor environment. In addition to improving comfort, this feature also helps with energy efficiency, which may result in lower heating and cooling expenses.

Furthermore, polycarbonate is a popular roofing material in places where natural light is preferred but excessive heat gain is a concern due to its capacity to diffuse light while blocking harmful UV rays. Polycarbonate is a flexible material that can be used for both residential and commercial roofing applications because of its dual benefits of thermal insulation and light diffusion.

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