Slats – Why use POLYCARBONATE for translucent solar slats?

			PVC	PC	PMMA
Properties	Standard	Unit	Value	Value	Value
Density	DIN 53749	g/cm³	1,41	1,2	1,19
Minimum operating temperature	Without load	°C	-10	-30	-30
Maximum operating temperature	Without load	°C	70	130	70
Tensile strength	DIN 53455	N/mm²	50	>70	75
Flexural strength	DIN 53452	N/mm²	80	75	110
E-modulus	DIN 53457 (23°C)	N/mm²	3000	2500	3300
Elongation at break	DIN 53455	%	20	>100	5
Impact strength	DIN 53453 (23°C)	kJ/m²	No break	No break	10
Linear expansion coefficient	DIN 53752	mm/m°C	0,08	0,065	0,07
Hardness	Shore D	Shore D	85	/	90
Fire behavior	DIN 4102	-	B1	B1/B2	B2

PVC = Polyvinylchloride
PC = Polycarbonate
PMMA = Plexiglass

By comparing the technical features (see table) of the different synthetic materials, it is obvious that Polycarbonate is the synthetic material which has the best design to withstand high temperatures.
The solar transparent slats heat the air in the hollow rooms of the profiles to high temperatures (glass house effect).

The best choice is then the polycarbonate slats because they minimize the risk against deforming of the pool cover (better than any other synthetic material).

Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic polymer with excellent mechanical- and physical qualities. Because of its toughness and durability it is used for the production of CDs and DVDs. It is also used in the automobile industry (car headlights), in aeronautics (windows on planes) and for the production of ballistic materials (riot police shields) because this synthetic material is very hard to break.
Polycarbonate is very translucent and with the above mentioned qualities, it is very suitable for the construction sector.

Toughness: Low risk on deforming of the material, maintains its technical qualities over time
Hardness: Very well protecting against hailstones
Transparent: Improves the glass house effect of the solar design profiles