Polymers in Construction
Polymer materials account for the highest growth area in construction materials. In basic terms, polymers are very long molecules typically made up of many thousands of repeat units. They include plastics, rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers, adhesives, foams, paints and sealants.
Well established applications of polymers in construction include areas such as flooring, windows, cladding, rainwater, pipes, membranes, seals, glazing, insulation and signage. With thousands of commercially available polymers new applications are continuously emerging.
Confidence in the performance and properties of construction materials has always been important and may be of particular interest for polymers, which are relatively new compared to traditional material types that have been in use for hundreds or thousands of years.
The introduction of polymeric materials can bring new concerns particularly relating to their longevity, how they will be affected by general ageing and weathering, the effects of pollution and what will happen to them at their end of life.
Examples of polymer materials in construction applications:
| Polymer Type |
Applications |
| Epoxy resins |
Solid resin and Terrazzo flooring, Anchor fixings, Adhesives |
| Ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) |
Solar panel encapsulants |
| Expanded polystyrene (EPS) |
Concrete moulds, Insulation, Packaging |
| Polycarbonate |
Lighting housings, Fittings in hot water systems, Glazing |
| Polyester (thermosetting) |
FRP Bridge sections, Cladding Panels, Sinks, Surfaces, Coatings |
| Polyethylene |
Foam underlay, Damp-proof membranes, Coatings |
| Polyisobutylene (PIB) |
Glazing sealants, Waterproof membranes |
| Polymethylmethacrylate / Acyrlic (PMMA) |
Surfaces, Sinks |
| Polypropylene (PP) |
Sound insulation, Water pipes, Waste pipes |
| Polyurethane (PU) |
Sealants, Concrete jointing |
| Polyvinylchloride (PVC) |
Sealants, Concrete jointing |
| Rubber |
Bridge bearings, Flooring |
For further information contact: Marion Ingle, Associate
Direct Tel: 020 7565 7063
Email:
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Polymers 