Installation Instructions
20 SABIC Innovative Plastics
Outdoor Weathering Performance
WARRANTY
SABIC Innovative Plastics
offers a Ten Year Written
Limited Warranty on Lexan
Thermoclear sheet covering
discolouration, loss of light
transmission and loss of
impact strength due to
weathering as more
specifically defined in such
warranty. Please consult your
local distributor or SABIC
Innovative Plastics Sales
Office for more details.
UV Protection
Solar radiation has a particularly harmful effect upon
polymeric materials initiating degradation by causing
supercial surface crazing. These crazes become sites
for further erosion from water, dust, chemicals, etc. The
degree to which these conditions affect the polymer
depend largely upon environmental parameters such as
geographical location, altitude, seasonal variations, etc.
Lexan Thermoclear sheet has on one or both sides
a unique proprietary UV-protected surface, giving
excellent resistance to outdoor weathering. This unique
protection ensures long-term optical quality under
intensive UV exposure, and maintains the superior
toughness of the polycarbonate material in comparison
to other thermoplastic glazing.
Typical Values of Thermoclear sheet
Research into the long-term effects of weathering on
glazing materials is basically focused upon measuring
product performance through material property
changes, typically mechanical strength, impact
resistance, colour retention, transparency, etc.
Under ISO 4892, a test has been developed using high
intensity Xenon lamps to simulate natural sunlight.
Together with UV lters and programmable rain cycles,
the test is able to simulate natural conditions.
Accelerated weathering tests have been carried out on
Lexan Thermoclear sheet by SABIC Innovative Plastics.
Using in-house Xenon 1200 apparatus, these tests
were carried out according to ISO 4892. However,
even tougher demands were placed on the material by
removing the UV lter for 1/6 of the cycle.
Placed within this environment, Lexan Thermoclear
sheet was exposed to 5,000 hours. Experience with
the Xenon test equipment indicates that this relates
to 15 years’ natural exposure in a moderate European
climate. Following the test the optical properties of light
transmission and yellowness index were measured and
compared with an un-aged sample.