Experimental Analysis of Transparent Insulation Based on Poly-carbonate Multi-Wall Systems: Thermal and Optical Performance

The way for a new ideas and latest developments in research of various innovative materials are becoming the basis for a variety of potential combinations in future building components and facade concepts. Transparent insulation materials (TIMs) could predominantly be used with current concepts that are trying to replace conventional insulating materials in addition. Various polycarbonate multiwall systems are analyzed from thermal and optical point of view. Thermal and solar transmittance are experimentally determined. For the thermal transmittance, an inclined angle dependence is investigated with laboratory methods. On the other hand, the solar transmittance depending on the incident angle is observed, both at spectrophotometric laboratory and in-situ outdoor level. Obtained results demonstrate a relation between both material parameters studied and their real angular modes. Based on presented analysis, multi-wall polycarbonate building components may have a relevance for future facade concepts, especially when specific solar angular dependencies and certain thermal properties need to be considered.