Covestro Desmocomp resin offers facade elements efficient thermal insulation
Construction equipment suppliers opt for composites to develop a facade fastening system that is more UV-resistant, sustainable and lightweight than aluminum elements.
The new AFAS Experience Center in Leusden, Netherlands, is equipped with FISCO's facade fastening elements. Photo Credit: AFAS Software
Together with FISCO GmbH (Zusmarshausen, Germany), Dutch construction supplier fischer Benelux B.V. (Naarden) developed a facade element using composite materials, a force-bearing fixture called the ThermoBracket. After testing several different resin technologies, Covestro AG’s (Leverkusen, Germany) Desmocomp was found to deliver the best flame resistance, mechanical load and insulation properties.
Typically, standard aluminum fastening systems are used in the construction industry to attach rear-ventilated facades to building structures. Although lightweight and easy to use, they have one main downside: the used aluminum acts as thermal bridge, which has higher thermal conductivity than the surrounding materials. This can cause condensation, which negatively affects the thermal insulation.
“Our composite material is highly resistant to UV radiation, making it ideal for long-term outdoor use,” explains Andreas Hecking, an Aliphatic Composites Specialist at Covestro. “It also meets the high flame retardants requirements for this application, making it attractive to the construction industry.”
An aliphatic polyurethane (PU) composite, Desmocomp is said to have a similar mechanical strength to aluminum, but with thermal conductivity that is 1,000 times lower than a standard metallic product. Further, according to Covestro, only a thin layer is required for sufficient insulating performance, leading to a gain in the usable surface area on the building. Material savings and CO2 reduction are also possible.
Related Content
-
CW Tech Days webinar addresses emerging composites opportunities in infrastructure, construction
Attend this Dec. 1st interactive webinar sponsored by Composites One, where experts will review and evaluate the composite materials, processes and applications that should and will be considered for use in these markets.
-
Composite buildings go monocoque
Superior protection from the elements plus fast, affordable installation and maintenance have quickly made Orenco Composites’ DuraFiber buildings an attractive choice for water and wastewater, communications, transportation and power industry outbuildings.
-
KU researchers explore FRP materials for dams, levee reinforcement
To address aging infrastructure, a team of researchers at KU is conducting research into repairing and retrofitting 700-plus dams, levees and related structures nationwide using FRP materials.