Does condensation affect the performance of polycarbonate sheet?
A. In common with many glazing materials polycarbonate sheets can develop condensation as a result of environmental factors. It does not affect the performance of solid or multiwall polycarbonate sheets, the effects are purely visual and normally temporary. At all stages of the handling, transporting and installation of multiwall sheets care should be taken to minimize the amount of moisture entering the sheet flutes. Polycarbonate however is hygroscopic, with a 24h water absorption figure of around 0.36% (DIN 53495). To a small degree it is also permeable to water vapour (15g/m3 DIN 53122). Therefore it is possible that condensation can form within a sheets structure in spite of all the precautions taken especially where extremes of temperature and humidity occur. Because it is a natural phenomenon condensation is not acknowledged as a fault of the material and is therefore excluded from product performance warranties.
