Weather-resistant Polycarbonate Hollow Sheet is a specialized variant of polycarbonate (PC) hollow sheets, engineered with advanced technologies to withstand harsh environmental conditions while retaining the material’s inherent advantages of lightness, impact resistance, and thermal insulation. Unlike standard PC sheets, its design prioritizes long-term stability against UV radiation, extreme temperatures, humidity, and chemical exposure—making it a reliable choice for outdoor and semi-outdoor applications where weather durability is critical.
Core Weather-resistant Technologies
The exceptional weather resistance of this sheet stems from two key engineering features:
Co-extruded UV Protection Layer
A dedicated anti-ultraviolet (UV) coating is co-extruded on one or both surfaces of the sheet during production. This layer is typically made of high-performance UV absorbers (e.g., benzophenones, triazines) and stabilizers that block up to 99% of harmful UVA and UVB rays. Unlike post-applied coatings (which can peel off over time), the co-extruded layer fuses with the PC base material, ensuring permanent protection. It prevents photo-oxidation of the PC polymer—an issue that causes standard plastics to yellow, become brittle, or lose transparency after prolonged sun exposure.
Enhanced Polymer Formulation
The PC resin used in weather-resistant variants is modified with heat stabilizers, hydrolysis inhibitors, and anti-oxidants. These additives resist degradation from extreme temperatures (ranging from -40℃ to 120℃) and high humidity:
- Heat stabilizers prevent softening or warping in intense sunlight or hot climates.
- Hydrolysis inhibitors block moisture absorption, which can otherwise break down PC molecular bonds and cause delamination of the hollow structure.
Key Weather-resistant Performance Traits
1,UV Resistance & Longevity
Accelerated aging tests (e.g., QUV testing, simulating 10 years of outdoor exposure) confirm that weather-resistant PC hollow sheets retain over 80% of their original light transmittance and mechanical strength. In real-world use, they typically maintain performance for 15–20 years—far longer than standard PC sheets (5–8 years) or acrylic sheets (3–5 years) in outdoor settings.
2,Temperature Extremes Tolerance
The sheet remains dimensionally stable across extreme temperature fluctuations. For example:
- In cold regions, it resists embrittlement and cracking under freezing conditions (down to -40℃), making it suitable for greenhouse roofing in high-latitude areas.
- In hot, arid climates, it does not soften or deform even when surface temperatures reach 60℃ (due to solar radiation), ensuring structural integrity for canopies or skylights.
3,Moisture & Chemical Resistance
The hydrolysis-resistant formulation and sealed hollow structure prevent water ingress and mold growth. Additionally, the sheet resists corrosion from common environmental chemicals, such as:
- Acidic rain (pH 4.0–5.5)
- Urban air pollutants (e.g., sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides)
- Agricultural chemicals (e.g., fertilizers, pesticides) used in greenhouse applications.
4,Wind & Hail Impact Resistance
Combined with PC’s inherent high impact strength (250x that of glass), the weather-resistant variant’s rigid hollow structure withstands strong winds (up to 120 km/h) and hailstones (diameter up to 25 mm) without cracking. This makes it ideal for coastal areas prone to storms or regions with frequent hailstorms.
