Translucent Sheet for Building (Acrylic or Polycarbonate)

Local building regulations and the architect's design for the building will both state this.

Look at PETG I prefer it to either it seems to to take impact better then the others. Also seems to stay clear longer.

FRP sheets 2/3mm with 70% translucency would be better than any of these two. Poly carbonate can break/crack. Acrylic will soon turn hazy. It is always better to use these in building sides vertically ,so that it does not loose translucency for a long time. People using it in slopes have found this problem. There is also cleaning problem. Fire Hazard is also there with PC or acrylic, particularly with oil based factory.

"Fire Hazard is also there with PC or acrylic, particularly with oil based factory." True. Additionally, before considering any plastic, I would want to know if there are any interactions between it and the oil, oil vapors, or byproducts. If a particular plastic degrades due to attack by any of the product's components, it should be avoided. FRP, especially if made with an epoxy instead of a polyester resin, should reduce the chances of attack - but I'd still be checking with the sheathing manufacturer for some guarantee that its material is immune to anticipated chemical conditions at a palm oil mill.

Translucent FRP is ordinarily available in corrugated panels intended for building sheathing, giving it advantages in ease and cost of installation, and a known history regarding impact and sunlight resistance.

Look under the heading of greenhouse glazings (covers). The application concerns are similar to yours as regards strength and long life. One URL for example -

http://www.rosesinc.org/ICFG/Join_ICFG/2002%20-%2003/Greenhouse_Glazing.asp

Russ

I'd talk to the owner of the mill and they prefer to use polycarbonates rather than FRP because FRP can start to turn to yellowish in a short period of time maybe 2-3 years after installation.

Now we were considering to use polycarbonates or acrylic ( High Impact Acrylic- have you ever heard about that?) and we almost reach the conclusion that PC is better rather than using this HIgh Impact Acrylic.

But im not sure if polycarbonates can resist the chemical of the environment in Oil Mill. From what i heard is PC cant resist to fatty acid and it can become brittle. And Im not so sure if palm oil mill is really exposed to this fatty acid. Im stuck. -.-'.

I think better to take sample of PC and test with oil and also the fumes. There can be other chemicals also for which tests may be conducted. Yes, FRP yellowing is a problem when used on inclines. But if you use in vertical faces , the yellowing will not take place for years and translucency will remain, may be little less over few years. Anything used on roof needs cleaning periodically.So PC also needs cleaning. FRP corrugated will be cheaper than PC. There are many roofs with PC slits for natural lighting interfaced between Poly coated or galvalume thin sheets, commonly used now for factory sheds. So choice is yours.

<...not sure if polycarbonates can resist the chemical of the environment in Oil Mill..... PC cant resist to fatty acid and it can become brittle...>

Then sort out the process materials containment problem, on safety, on environmental and on operational economics grounds.