Technical Specifications

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1212 Enterprise Drive, De Pere, WI 54115 | P: 888.602.4441 Multiwall Polycarbonate Technical Overview (Updated 9/3/13)

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Multiwall Polycarbonate Tech Guide

Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic polymer that can be extruded into multiwall cellular sheets. These multiwall sheets are

extremely strong and light weight. Polycarbonate has a high light transmittance making it an ideal alternative to

conventional glass products. Multiwall polycarbonate is easy to use, long lasting, and flexible in a variety of applications.

The following technical overview provides basic information on the performance, handling, and installation of multiwall

polycarbonate.

Physical Properties of Polycarbonate:

Vicat Softening Temperature, rate B/120 ISO 306: 293°F

Continuous-use Temperature Rating: Max 212°F

Coefficient of linear Thermal Expansion, 23-80°C ISO 11359-2: 1/°F 4.00 E-05 (A 120” sheet will expand ~ ½” over 100°F)

Performance of Multiwall Polycarbonate:

Typical performance values, actual values may vary depending on specific product.

UV Protection:

Solar radiation, specifically UV rays, can be harmful to a variety of materials and building products. The panels are UV

protected to prevent polycarbonate from degrading from exposure to UV rays. The UV protection prevents UV rays from

getting to the polycarbonate. This ensures the panels will not yellow or weaken from sun exposure. This UV protection

can be on one or both sides of the multiwall sheets. When installing multiwall polycarbonate, it is important to have the

UV protection facing up or towards the sun. On one-sided protected sheets, the protective film will indicate which side

has UV protection.

Hail Resistance:

Multiwall polycarbonate is extremely strong, having 200 times the impact strength of glass. This strength makes it

resistant to impacts such as hail. Panels are tested using a metal dart fired by an air cannon into the panel. This test

simulates the impact of golf ball size hail. While the panels may dent or scratch, a high speed dart, or hail, will not

penetrate through the multiwall panel. This makes them ideal for any application where there is a possibility for such

impacts. Because polycarbonate does not shatter, it is safe to be used in skylights and railings.

Product Thicknes mm(in) lbs/sf Max Bending Radius R-Value Clear Opal Bronze

6mm Twin Wall 6(1/4) 0.27 34" 1.6 82 40 50

8mm Twin Wall 8(5/16) 0.35 55" 1.8 81 64 30

16mm Triple Wall 16(5/8) 0.57 110" 2.5 74 40 30

25mm 5x Wall 25(1) 0.7 173" 3.9 57 49 50

Light Transmittance

Physical Properties

Summary of content (5 pages)

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Multiwall Polycarbonate Tech Guide Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic polymer that can be extruded into multiwall cellular sheets. These multiwall sheets are extremely strong and light weight. Polycarbonate has a high light transmittance making it an ideal alternative to conventional glass products. Multiwall polycarbonate is easy to use, long lasting, and flexible in a variety of applications.
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Transportation and Storage: While in transportation and storage, never put the panels in direct contact with cements and paints, both of which are extremely incompatible with polycarbonate. Always utilize thick wooden boards to isolate the panels from contact with cements and paints while transporting or storing. The sheets must be stored horizontally on a flat surface and kept away from direct sunlight. Original crating is not sufficient to protect panels from solar damage.
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caustic soda, chlorobenzilate, chloroform, mcresol, cyclohexanone, cyclohexenc, dimethyl formamide, dioxathe, ethylamine, ethyl ether, 2-ethylene, hlorohydrin,gasoline, methyl methacrylate, nitrobenzene, benzoate ethylalcohal, phenol, phosphorus trichloride, prionic acid,styrene, 1.1,2,2,-tetrachloro ethane, tetrahydrofuran, tolene, 10% trichloroacetic acid, xylene, ammoniahydroxide, ketone, methylethylketone, dichloromethane,polyyinyl chloride,potassiumhydrxide, sodiumhydroxide andnitric acid.
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Sheet Edge Conditions/Engagement: Sheet engagement is critical to a multiwall polycarbonate system. Engagement is the amount of material held by a frame or resting on a support. While multiwall polycarbonate is extremely strong, it is also flexible. The panel will not break but may bend and slip out of its frame or off its supports. A minimum ¾” engagement with at least one rib in the engagement area is recommended. The system used and loading conditions can influence this engagement distance.
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Loading: Loading requirements need to be determined based on local conditions and codes. The framing structure holding the multiwall polycarbonate must be constructed to support these loads and its details are independent of this document. The maximum sheet deflection is often the limiting factor for multiwall polycarbonate sheet. The chart below indicates maximum spans for a max 1” deflection at several different loads. The details of this loading and the max spans will be project specific.