Lexan Margard sheet durability with solar control

A Sabic Innovative Plastics product story

Edited by the Buildingtalk editorial team Oct 31, 2005

GE combines Lexan Margard sheet durability with solar control to help save energy and protect against UV for excellent transportation solution.

Underscoring the company's commitment to its new ecomagination initiative, GE's Plastics business is introducing advanced, new Lexan Margard MR5 IR sheet - GE's first hard-coated, polycarbonate (PC) sheet product for the global public transportation industry featuring infrared (IR) absorption in the wavelength range of 780-1400 nm.

By effectively managing infrared heat from sunlight striking buses, trains, and other public transport and specialty vehicles, this GE material helps save energy and protect against potentially harmful UV radiation, yet admit plenty of light.

This reduces heat build-up and can help cut air conditioning costs on hot and sunny days, while at the same time provide insulation to retain heat and lower fuel costs on cold or cloudy days.

"This new product fits perfectly with our new ecomagination effort to help customers solve tough environmental challenges," said Joanna Wolska, GE's Plastics business' global product manager for Solid Sheet, "while offering performance benefits that can help give our customers a competitive edge".

"Combined with GE's technical experience, installation guidance, and hands-on customer support, Lexan Margard MR5 IR sheet offers customers a solutions package that helps meet a wide range of vehicle glazing needs".

New Lexan Margard MR5 IR sheet is an excellent candidate for flat glazing in public transportation applications, such as windows, that require high abrasion and impact resistance and weatherability, along with exceptional heat management.

"Energy savings is a key focus of GE's ecomagination initiative and this new sheet product can significantly reduce energy consumption to benefit the environment and save money," Wolska, added.

"Equally important, this unique product lets in natural light while absorbing IR heat and UV radiation, so consumers enjoy a pleasant, safe, light-filled environment".

"And its great aesthetics - including two tint colors - enhance vehicle appearance".

Lexan Margard MR5 IR sheet is approximately half the weight of comparative glass products, which can lead to an overall weight reduction of the vehicle, potentially reducing fuel consumption.

It also features GE's proven hard-coating technology on both sides delivering high level protection against abrasion, cleaning fluids, paints, and adhesives and allows frequent cleaning or removal of graffiti without causing damage.

Because the GE material is virtually opaque to UV light, it can help block the potentially harmful effects of radiation and also shield against UV-caused discoloration of sensitive materials such as fabrics.

Finally, its durability and weatherability protects against abrasives, chemicals, and impact.

It maintains its excellent optical clarity in demanding applications; in fact, it carries a 10-year limited written warranty against breakage.

Glazing applications for Lexan Margard MR5 IR sheet include specialty vehicles and public transportation including buses, trains, and subway cars.

It is also an excellent material of choice for separation walls and secondary glazing separation screens and for double-glazing in buildings.

The UV shielding capability of the new product makes it a great alternative for warehouses, museums, conservatories, and other structures containing UV-sensitive items.

GE's Lexan Margard MR5 IR sheet is available worldwide in a range of gauges from 3.0 to 12.0 mm, and two standard transparent green tinted colors, as well as custom color tints available upon request.

It is polished on both sides.