On day one of different types of clear plastic glazing sheets being extruded, there is very little difference to be seen between the various types of glazing sheets. Two samples of clear products side by side will look very similar, however, just a few months down the line, they can look alarmingly different!
So why do some clear plastic sheets go yellow?
Our experience has proved that the qualities in the extrusion process are crucial and after a few months or years of exposure to exterior weather, if the sheets are not manufactured from the correct type of resin and extrusion methods, inferior sheets can quickly discolour and show as a hazy yellow colour and become brittle!
We have been studying this issue for a number of years now, conducting tests and revisiting Distributors projects glazed with Axgard and those glazed with other clear glazing sheets. Alarmingly a significant number of projects where Axgard was not used are showing signs of yellowing and discolouration, tarnishing the overall aesthetics of what originally looked like excellently completed contracts.
It’s all in the quality of the extrusion methods and resins used. We have manufactured AXGARD® for many years now, and whilst we are always looking at ways to manufacture at lower costs, we have never lowered our quality of the Axgard product. From our experience we would warn against using a lower cost alternative such as glazing sheets made from PETG resin, as these are proven to have a strong track record of alarmingly poor performance resulting in yellow and or general brittleness and breakage!
Ensuring Axgard has the best UV protection resin and extrusion methods and properties means we are providing our Distributors with clear sheets that will stay clear, offering the greatest possible longevity.
In addition to the aesthetic impact, the strength of the Axgard sheets against breakage is significantly greater over time, as any yellowing sheet will tend to also become much more brittle.
So, here’s what we are noticing recently…. don’t get left behind!
Over the past few months we have noticed a significant shift in demand for Axgard with Distributors and their Customers’ changing designs and whole project specifications to Axgard to ensure that they deliver solutions and projects that continue to provide a lasting quality impression and performance.
