Plastic extrusion material selection?

[banfillb]

plastic extrusion material selection?

Hey all,

I work for a curtain wall manufacturing and design company out of Canada. I've recently been presented with the task of creating a new extrusion to improve the thermal performance of our curtain wall system.

My question to you all is, and excuse me if this isn't a very advanced question, what would be a good choice of material? I am looking for a strong, resilient, and thermally sound (low transmission of heat) plastic.

We currently use PVC, but are interested in moving to another material due to some of the complications with PVC in a structural setting.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Achy47]

Hi there,

As a scientist with expertise in material selection, I would recommend considering the use of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for your plastic extrusion. HDPE is a strong and resilient plastic, with excellent thermal properties. It has a low thermal conductivity, meaning it is a good insulator and can help improve the thermal performance of your curtain wall system.

Additionally, HDPE is a versatile material that can be easily molded into different shapes and sizes, making it suitable for extrusion processes. It is also resistant to chemicals and UV rays, making it a durable choice for outdoor applications.

Another option to consider is polypropylene (PP), which has similar properties to HDPE but is even stronger and more durable. PP also has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion, meaning it is less likely to expand or contract with temperature changes, which is important for structural applications.

I hope this helps guide your material selection process. If you have any further questions or need more specific recommendations, please don't hesitate to reach out. Good luck with your project!