TRUE to its name, Sabic Innovative Plastics has newly launched a 9-wall Lexan Thermoclear sheet, which offers superior thermal insulation for glazing, thus helping reduce energy costs.

The 9-wall Lexan Thermoclear sheet is an excellent candidate for applications such as flat glazing of sunrooms, conservatories, and rooflights, shopping centres, office buildings, and factories, says the company.
This new glazing solution can not only help customers reduce heating and cooling costs, but also cut energy usage and CO2 emissions to benefit the environment.
The Lexan Thermoclear sheet gives the building and construction industry new ways to meet demands for increased energy efficiency in living and working environments.
“Today’s energy situation calls for innovation, not tradition,” says Darrell Hughes, general manager for Sabic Innovative Plastics, Specialty Film and Sheet. “Lexan Thermoclear sheet is an example of how Sabic Innovative Plastics works closely with global customers to develop innovative, breakthrough applications to solve tough challenges in new ways. With its unique multi-wall structure, this attractive glazing material can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs  – and that's excellent news on the energy front.”
The Lexan Thermoclear sheet is the first multi-wall sheet in the glazing industry to deliver a U-value of less than 1.0 W/sq m K, he says. It offers superior insulation properties compared to multi-pane glass, being lightweight, extremely impact resistant, and affording stiffness and ultraviolet (UV) protection.

Improved energy efficiency
“Its 9-wall X-structure creates more air pockets between the outside environment and the interior of the building, while enhancing strength and stiffness,” Hughes explains. “This configuration helps the material deliver industry-leading energy efficiency. Available in 35-mm, 40-mm, 45-mm and 50-mm thicknesses, with U-values ranging from 1.187 to 0.985 W/sq m K, Lexan Thermoclear sheet delivers thermal insulation performance that surpasses multi-pane, argon-filled glass at a U-value of approximately 1.4 W/sq m K.”
Another important benefit of the thermoclear sheet is its light weight, which makes it easier to handle and install compared to heavy glass panes. Also, the material can be used with a lighter supporting steel framework than glass requires, which can reduce material and shipping costs.

Excellent Aesthetics
To provide different visual effects, the new sheet product line is available in opal white, solar control green and as transparent. Both sides of the sheet are treated with proprietary UV protection against outdoor weathering to help ensure long-term optical quality and high light transmission.
In accelerated 4,000-hour weathering tests (DIN53387 / ASTM G26) – comparable to 10 years of outdoor exposure in moderate climate conditions – results obtained by Sabic Innovative Plastics demonstrate Lexan Thermoclear sheets' superior ability to maintain color, light transmission and impact strength versus competitive products, he says.
The Lexan Thermoclear sheet offers a 10-year limited written warranty against discoloration, loss of light transmission and loss of impact strength due to weathering.

Lexan SG305-OB sheet
Sabic Innovative Plastics also offers a new grade of Lexan polycarbonate (PC) sheet that is specifically designed to boost the visibility and attractiveness of illuminated signage.
The Lexan SG305-OB sheet, unlike conventional sheet products, offers both uniform light diffusion to eliminate light emitting “pinholes” and a view of light sources, and superior light transmission for exceptional optical brightness at lower energy costs.
'In fact, the 2 mm and 5 mm thicknesses of the sheet boost light transmission to more than 50 per cent versus competitive materials like polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) that allow only about 25 per cent,” says Joanna Wolska, global clear sheet product manager.
The new white sheet grade, which has a matte finish on its outward-facing surface to reduce reflections, also provides excellent UV protection and impact resistance.
The outstanding aesthetics, performance, and formability of Sabic's new sheet are spurring innovative new lighting solutions, such as the ADDscreen illuminated roll-down security shutters offered by Euroll and ADDscreen, both of The Netherlands.
These unique shutters, which protect stores, ticket windows and other spaces after hours, feature computer-generated advertising beamed onto the reverse side.
“The material’s superior optical brightness and diffusion capabilities present the projected graphics with optimal visibility, while its impact resistance enhances security. The product’s easy fabrication enables complex designs,” she says.