Makrolon Ambient twin-wall polycarbonate sheet

A Cabot Corporation product story

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Aug 6, 2008

New translucent twin-wall polycarbonate sheet with high insulation performance and impact resistance has been developed for conservatories and sun-rooms by Bayer Sheet Europe and Cabot Corporation.

The new product, which is being marketed by Bayer SE as Makrolon Ambient, is a major advance in translucent roofing and cladding materials.

By including Cabot's Nanogel insulation within the 25mm thick twin-wall sheets, a heat transmission co-efficient (U-value) of 0.99 W/m K has been achieved, while allowing diffused natural light to pass through.

As a result, sun blinds, coatings, films and other measures are not needed in order to maintain comfortable temperatures on hot sunny days, and the insulation performance reduces heating costs and associated emissions during cold weather.

The U-value achieved by Makrolon Ambient is constant in all positions, unlike super-insulated double-glazing which only provides optimum insulation performance when it is vertical.

The product is also considerably lighter than double-glazing, avoiding the need for heavy-duty structures to support it.

Extra-thick outer layers provide strength and impact resistance, including the ability to withstand a 4kg steel ball being dropped from a height of nine metres.

Nanogel is manufactured by Cabot and consists of amorphous silica particles measuring 0.5mm to 4mm in diameter which allow up to 80 per cent light transmission per cm thickness, with virtually no glare.

It weighs only 60-80 kg/m and is also an effective acoustic insulator.

Because it is hydrophobic and resistant to mould and UV degradation, its performance is virtually permanent.

Makrolon is Bayer's market-leading polycarbonate sheet and has been used for more than 40 years in a vast range of projects throughout the world.

Makrolon Ambient is being offered in sheets up to six metres long x 1220mm wide and in several grades including clear, opal white, bronze and infra-red resistant.

It is covered by a ten-year warranty.