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TUFFAK® SHEET:
GLAZING APPLICATIONS
Tuffak® A polycarbonate sheet - A clear solution to broken windows
Reasons why Tuffak® makes an ideal material for window glazing in highly vandalized areas and other applications requiring high impact resistance:
- Virtually unbreakable, Tuffak® A sheet is 300 times stronger than single strength glass and significantly tougher than other transparent sheet materials in equal thickness.
- Tuffak® A sheet weighs only half as much as glass and provides up to 89% light transmission in normal thicknesses.
- Good weatherability with respect to retention of physical properties.
Small Lights:
Limited thermal and load movements in small sheet sizes (up to 24" x 24") allow use of a variety of non-hardening caulking compounds. The compounds range in both cost and quality of performance from oil-based caulks to the better acrylic latex caulks. Caulking compounds offer advantages in respect to cost and ease of application compared to the high-performance elastomers, such as silicones, that are required for larger sheet sizes.
Intermediate Lights:
All intermediate Tuffak® A sheet sizes are channel glazed. A gunned-in sealant bead 1/4" wide and 1/4" deep is specified for all sizes within the intermediate range (up to 72" x 72"). The distance between the fixed and removable stops must be no less than the thickness of the Tuffak® A sheet glazing, plus the specified minimum 1/4" sealant width. The 1/4" sealant depth is set by inserting the continuous filler tape between the exterior stop and the Tuffak® A sheet.
Gun-grade acrylic latex caulks that allow 15% joint movement may be used for intermediate light sizes up to a maximum of 36" x 36". Beyond this size, one of the high-performance silicone sealants may be used.
Large Lights:
All large sheets up to 96" x 144" are glazed in a channel system where the legs of the channel are the fixed and removable stops. The rabbet width provides the proper sealant width that is essential to accommodate combined wind, thermal and humidity movements in the Tuffak® A sheet and the exterior stop.
High performance silicone sealants have joint movement capability ranging from +/- 25% to +/- 50%. Only those sealants capable of +/- 50% joint movement should be used for Tuffak® A sheet sizes larger than 96" x 96".
The statements, technical information and recommendations obtained herein are believed to be accurate as of the date hereof. Since the conditions and methods of use of the product and of the information referred to herein are beyond our control, Arkema expressly disclaims any and all liability. NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE, WARRANTY OR MERCHANTABILITY, OR ANY OTHER WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS MADE CONCERNING THE GOODS DESCRIBED OR THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HEREIN. The information provided herein relates only to the specific product designated and may not be applicable when such product is used in combination with other materials or in any process. The user should thoroughly test any application before commercialization. Nothing contained herein should be construed as an inducement to infringe any patent, and the user is advised to take appropriate steps to be sure that any proposed use of the product will not result in patent infringement.
See MSDS for Health and Safety Considerations.
© 2006 Arkema