Thermoplastic materials in buildings

Approved document B, Fire Safety, Volume 1 Dwelling houses, defines a thermoplastic material as:

'Any synthetic polymeric material that has a softening point below 200°C if tested to BS EN ISO 306 Method A120. Specimens for this test may be fabricated from the original polymer where the thickness of material of the end product is less than 2.5mm.'

Acrylics are an example of thermoplastic materials. Acrylics are chemicals that contain the acryloyl group, derived from acrylic acid, such as polyacrylonitrile and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). They generally have good optical clarity, scratch resistance, dimensional stability and rigidity. They are do not deteriorate in sunlight and they have good adhesion, are thermoplastic, easy to form and cut into a variety of shapes. However, they are combustible, are not flexible, suffer from stress cracking and are not resistant to solvents.

Acrylics have a very wide range of uses in the construction industry:

• Transparent or translucent sheeting such as acrylic glass (‘Plexiglass’ or ‘Perspex’).
• Opaque cladding and panel materials.
• Paints.
• Resins, sealants, adhesives and adhesive tapes
• Flashing materials.
• Concretes, mortars, renders and asphalt.
• Architectural fabrics.
• Baths, shower trays and sinks.
• Coatings for metals, concrete and masonry.
• Flooring and carpets.
• Worktops.
• Signage.
• Light fixtures.
• LCD screens.
• Furniture.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Acrylic.
• Adhesives.
• Composites.
• ETFE.
• Expanded polystyrene.
• Fabric structures.
• Glass reinforced plastic GRP.
• India looks at using plastic instead of sand.
• Nylon.
• Paint.
• Polycarbonate.
• Polyethylene.
• Polymers.
• Polypropylene.
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
• Stretched-skin ceiling.
• Transparent insulation materials.