What is polycarbonate? This is a colorless solid polymer plastic that is used in production in the form of granules. It is strong, lightweight, optically transparent, plastic, frost-resistant, a good dielectric, durable and environmentally friendly. Cellular (otherwise known as cellular) polycarbonate is produced by extrusion; it consists of hollow panels with different structures and thicknesses. These panels are connected to each other by special jumpers, also called stiffeners. Polycarbonate belongs to the class of synthetic polymers; it is a complex linear polyester of phenols and carbonic acid.
To work with polycarbonate, you will need ordinary cutting tools.
Despite all its strength, cellular polycarbonate is destroyed under the influence ultraviolet radiation. Most manufacturers place UV protection in the “mass”. But there is also a protective UV layer, which is applied by coextrusion. This layer ensures the integrity of the sheet under the influence of sunlight. The layer is applied either on both sides or only on one. Without this protective measure, the actual service life will be cellular polycarbonate will not exceed a couple of years.
How to prepare cellular polycarbonate for work
Before using polycarbonate, you need to unpack it, remove the film and all paper wrappers, and treat the edges of the tiles with end tape intended for this purpose. Using perforated tape, protect the end facing down. And the end facing upward is treated with an end profile and sealing tape. You can also use wide adhesive tape instead of expensive tape, if in the future the upper end of the polycarbonate plate is not expected to come into contact with environment. If the upper end is covered with a monolith, then you can completely abandon the use of tape. If it has already been applied, you can safely remove the film. It is not recommended to cover the lower end with anything. Since it must be installed openly so that condensation can drain freely. Give additional protection perforated tape using a U- or L-shaped profile. It must be mounted in such a way that the condensate can escape freely. In this case, it is recommended to use a U-shaped profile with holes with a diameter of 1.5 - 3 mm, which are located 40-60 cm from each other.
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How to remove film from the surface of a cellular polycarbonate sheet
It is recommended to remove the protective film coating from the polycarbonate sheet after all work on its installation, since the purpose of such a film is to protect the surface of the polycarbonate sheet during loading and unloading, during transportation and installation. If you do not remove the film and leave it, then over time, under the influence of solar heat, it will melt and “stick” to the polycarbonate surface of the sheet, removing it will be quite problematic. This situation is especially common when it is done in summer time and the protective film layer was not removed immediately.
What can you do if the film coating is welded to the polycarbonate? There are several options for resolving this issue. Which one to use, choose yourself, based on the current situation:
On outside the sheet has a special marking
- If polycarbonate sheets have been stored in the sun for a long time and the film has become baked to the surface, then it would be better to leave everything as is. Don't shoot anything. Film after one season with outside must go away on its own. And with inside it will take longer for it to self-destruct. Under no circumstances should you scrape or scratch the polycarbonate surface - you will only make the situation worse by damaging the material. And if you scrape from the UV-protective side, you will also damage the ultraviolet protection.
Violation of the integrity of the UV protective layer can negatively affect the light transmission of the sheet. And subsequently this will lead to the surface becoming cloudy and beginning to crack;
By the way, determine which side the UV is located on protective layer quite simple: packaging with cellular polycarbonate on the UV protection side always contains inscriptions or service pictograms. There is no need to heat the film coating with anything (for example, some try to heat the film with a hairdryer), it will stick even stronger;
- if the presence of a film is confirmed by visual inspection, then you can use the following method: wet the surface with ordinary warm water with the addition of home detergent for dishes. And slowly start removing the film layer.
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What else you need to know when working with polycarbonate
- In hot sunny weather, cellular polycarbonate is capable of thermal expansion. For colored polycarbonate, the expansion rate will be 4-5 mm, for transparent - 2-3 mm. The temperature at which carbonate can be used without reducing its original qualities and properties is from -40 to +120°C. When installing the material, it is important to take these features into account. If installation is carried out in cool weather, then the slab must be installed further from the lock of the joining profile; if installed in hot weather, it must be installed very close.
- A one-piece profile of 4-10 mm cannot fully ensure reliability. Such profiles cannot be attached to the sheathing. Their purpose is to join the edges of vertical structures with a minimum of loads.
Reliable tightness of joints is created by profiles over 10 mm. This will avoid the need to use other fasteners.
The connecting profiles are mounted with support on the arcs and secured with self-tapping screws.
What errors occur during installation?
- Incorrect orientation in order to save material, especially when cutting polycarbonate panels for spherical and broken roofs. The panels should be oriented in the direction of the slope or bend.
- Improper sealing in order to save money or lack of it.
- For vertical glazing, if it is necessary to fasten the panels in the transverse direction, they should be cut. You cannot fasten the panels “through and through” as over time or immediately, leaks will appear at the fastening points.
- It is necessary to select the correct material thickness corresponding to the purpose of the structure, following the recommendations of the manufacturer and specialists.
- Failure to comply with thermal expansion tolerances.
- Failure to comply with the conditions for fastening the edges of the panels.
How to cut cellular polycarbonate?
Sheets can be cut easily and accurately using standard equipment ( a circular saw, hand saw or a hacksaw). The protective film must remain on the sheets when cutting. Sawdust should be blown out of the channels with compressed air.
Which side should the protective film be placed on?
When installing, the sheets must be placed with the side with the protective film containing the markings facing out. It is on this side that a protective layer against UV radiation is applied. Do not walk directly on the sheets.
What gap should be left when fastening a sheet with a screw connection?
When fastening panels with a screw connection or a self-tapping screw, the diameter of the hole D1 should be 2 mm larger than the diameter of the screw or self-tapping screw D2. There is no need to tighten the screws; leave a gap for free movement.
How much clearance should be left for thermal expansion?
Due to the fact that polycarbonate expands in size when heated, it is necessary to leave gaps for thermal expansion. For a transparent sheet, the gap should be 2-3 mm, for a colored sheet - 3-4 mm.
After purchasing polycarbonate, many people ask themselves the question: is it necessary to remove the film from it after installation, because it makes the structure look more colorful and attractive? You can see very colorful film coverings in some areas of private houses, on which fruits, vegetables or other objects are depicted. When a person installs a structure made of this material for the first time, he is cast into doubt by its beautiful appearance– remove the film or leave it for decoration? On the one hand, the film is pleasing to the eye, and on the other hand, whether it will cause any harm. So the correct answer to this question is, of course, it is necessary, otherwise some problems may arise with the material later. By the way, if you need polycarbonate, follow this link http://unistframe.ru/catalog/monolitnyy-polikarbonat/.
The film on the sheets is exclusively for transport purposes; it protects their surface during transportation and storage in the warehouse. Once the film has already been purchased and installed in its place, it is no longer needed. Sometimes people who are not very knowledgeable in this matter mistake the transport protective layer for a film designed to protect the sheet from ultraviolet radiation. For reference, the UV-retaining layer is transparent, very difficult to see with the naked eye and very difficult to erase. Therefore, you should not worry that along with the protective film you will also remove the protection from UV rays.
Cellular or monolithic polycarbonate on the inside and outside
Cellular or monolithic polycarbonate It has outer surface and internal. The name is usually printed on the outside trademark, manufacturer, product warranty and data on available UV protection. This side is always colored, sometimes even decorated with drawings.
If you do not remove this colored film, the dark areas of the pattern applied to it will firmly stick to the polycarbonate; dismantling the film, covered in rags, darkened and losing all its appearance, becomes quite problematic. In this situation, the sun protection can also be removed along with the protective film; the film will stick tightly to it and damage it. Besides, in winter period it will slow down the snow, whereas on a clean surface it would easily slide off.
Is it necessary to remove the film from polycarbonate from the inside of the sheet? Here the coating is most often completely transparent, but it also needs to be removed, since the film blocks light. If you leave it, then in a couple of years it will ruin the appearance of the product.
Transparent hard polymer plastic, or polycarbonate, is widely used in various fields activities, in particular in construction and agriculture. Today we will tell you how to remove film from polycarbonate.
Why do you need film?
Monolithic and cellular polycarbonate has good light transmittance, which is important for the growth and development of fruit and vegetables grown in greenhouses. vegetable crops. Lack or deficiency solar lighting negatively affects fruiting, and sudden changes in temperature lead to the death of plants. Polymer plastic lining maintains a favorable microclimate inside the greenhouse.
Many gardeners are interested in the purpose of the special protective coating on the surface of the canvas. It is worth noting that various chips, microcracks, scratches, dents and other mechanical damage lead to deterioration or complete loss of the original physical properties and material qualities. It is not advisable to use such a fabric for lining a greenhouse.
The light transmittance of polycarbonate is considered one of the main parameters
A special protective surface coating is necessary during loading and unloading operations, transportation and installation of polymer plastic.
High-quality cellular polycarbonate must be protected on both sides. In this case, one side is covered with a transparent colorless film, and the other is colored. Colored polyethylene indicates the UV protected side.
Responsible manufacturers apply the following markings to the film:
- name and specifications material;
- information about the manufacturing plant and brand;
- Recommendations for the installation of polymer plastic.
Video “Protective film on polycarbonate”
From this video you will learn how to properly remove film from cellular polycarbonate:
Coating on the inside
The protective layer from the inside of the sheet must be removed after installation of the polymer plastic is completed. If construction works are carried out on a hot summer day, you should hurry with withdrawal protective coating. Otherwise, the polyethylene will “stick” to the canvas.
The protective film is removed from the edge to the center, while movements should be careful and leisurely. Scrape the special coating various instruments, devices and even nails are prohibited - there is a high risk of damaging the integrity of the surface of the material.
If the film still sticks to the polymer plastic sheet, you can use one of traditional methods: wet the surface of the sheet with warm water with the addition of liquid baby soap or dishwashing detergent, leave for a few minutes, remove the protective layer with a soft foam sponge.
Coating on the outside
The back side of cellular polycarbonate can have a colorless or colored film. A colorless special coating indicates that of this sheet polymer plastic does not have UV protection. Accordingly, the service life of such material is no more than 2–3 years.
If the film is transparent on the outside, then this polycarbonate sheet does not have UV protection It is necessary to remove the protective layer. Residues of polyethylene will damage the UV protection layer and deteriorate the technical qualities of the polycarbonate.
Working with sheets of cellular polycarbonate is not difficult if you follow the advice of more experienced farmers and the recommendations of the manufacturer.
