Monday, October 17, 2011
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
Plastic
PVC (Polyvinyl chloride)
-It is a thermoplastic polymer
-It is a vinyl polymer constructed of repeating vinyl groups having hydrogen replaced by chloride.
Process
-Suspension polymerization is most widely used in producing.
-Micro-suspension polymerization and emulsion polymerization produce PVC with smaller particle sizes with slightly different properties and with somewhat different sets of applications.
- Before PVC can be made into finished products, it almost always requires conversion into a compound by the incorporation of additives such as heat stabilizers, UV stabilizers, lubricants, plasticizers, processing aids, impact modifiers, thermal modifiers, fillers, flame retardants, biocides, blowing agents and smoke suppressors, and, optionally pigments.
-Stabilizers are added to the PVC polymer in order to prevent degradation by heat and light.
Technical Information
-There is different type of PVC. It is rigid PVC and flexible PVC. Both of them have different properties.
-Pure PVC is a rigid material, which is mechanically tough, fairly good weather resistant, water and chemicals resistant, electrically insulting, but relatively unstable to heat and light.
-Upon heating it melts and can then be brought into many forms and shapes through various processes. After cooling, the material regains its original properties.
-High thermal and acoustical insulation.
-Easy to be glued.
Limitations
-PVC has no limitation in size as it can be mold into any shapes during the process.
Normal Usage
-Construction Applications – floor and wall coverings
-Landfill liners
-Piping
-Water distribution
-Furniture
-PVC door
Environmental impact
- Can be recycle.
-Impact of PVC on the environment, including related human health issues, chemical may be harmful.
Advantages
-It is widely used because it is cheap and durable.
-Excellent electrical insulating properties
-Thermoformable
-Moderate impact resistance and good moisture resistance
-Good dimensional stability
-bondable
-self extinguishing
-Very low maintenance.
-Possibilities of very wide range of colours, appearances and surface aspect.
Disadvantages
-Harmful to human health during process.
Company in Australia
Reference
Fire retardant fabric
Textile
Fire retardant fabric
-It is textiles that are more resistant to fire compare to others.
-It is through chemical treatment or manufactured fireproof fibers.
Process
-It is made of polyester. Polyester is a very strong, elastic fibre which has high abrasion resistance, good durability and exceptional dimensional stability. It is unaffected dilute or medium concentrated mineral acids and has good resistance to hot or cold dilute alkalis.
-Basic polyester properties are combined with a permanent flame retardant the resultant fabrics are an ideal choice for curtains and bed screens.
Technical information
-Polyesters produce easy care fabrics that have excellent resistance to light and good crease resistance properties.
-It is resistant to UV degradation.
-These fabrics must be dry-cleaned with a non-liquid cleaning agent.
-The flame retardancy will last for the life od the fabric depends on the treated of repeated cleaning.
Limitations
-Need to maintain the chemical of the fabric.
-The flame retardancy of fabric will dissipate over time, particularly with repeated cleaning.
Normal usage
-Stage curtain fabric
-Curtain and furniture.
- Mostly use for curtain in public space such as hospital and institutions.
-Interior binds, bed cover
Environmental impact
-It can be reuse
-Technically speaking, polyester can be recycled. Re use will be a better solution. As it is more difficult to process, reconstruct or pulping for reconstituting.
Advantages
-More protective
-Help to lessen the risk of fire
-Reduce its severity so that major catastrophes can be avoided.
-Greater need for care.
Disadvantages
-Require maintenance and care during laundry part.
-Hardly recycle as it is with chemical.
-More heavy.
Company in Australia
Reference
Marble
Stone
Marble
-Beauty and heavy.
Process
-Marble is a metamorphic rock composed of recrystallized carbonate minerals.
-Construction marble is a stone which is composed of calcite, dolomite or serpentine which is capable of taking a polish.
-Marble started out as limestone. After that, given enough heat and pressure, limestone will crystallize, resulting in marble.
-Unlike limestone, the crystal structure of marble allows it to take a polish which accentuates the beautiful colours and veining.
Technical Information
-The character of stone, each tile will vary slightly in colour, shade and texture which adds to its charm.
-Marble add that touch of grandeur to the interiors.
-Even with the marble’s inherent “softness”, it is still hard enough to withstand high traffic.
Limitations
-Absorbs oils and other liquids
-Easily scratches
-Acid sensitive
-Require natural soap and neutral pH detergent to clean
Normal Usage
-Principally for buildings and monuments
-Interior decoration (statuary, table tops)
-Flooring tiles
Environmental impact
-Made from natural stone
-Can be re-use
Advantages
-It is durable and long lasting
-Marble with matte finishes makes high quality kitchen counter top exceptionally.
-It is known for its superior and decorative appearance.
-Cool surface of marble tiles can be quite pleasant and comfortable underfoot.
-It is easy to maintain and required occasional polishing only.
-Available in wide range of colours, styles and patterns.
-Highly resistant to water/moisture
Disadvantages
-It is virtually indestructible, hence its high cost.
-it is very cool under feet in the winter.
-Marble can stain if not sealed properly.
-It will get scratch.
Company in Australia
Reference
Sandstone
Tiles---Natural Stone Floor Tiles
-Has a wide range of natural stone floor tiles including basalt, marble, slate, limestone, sandstone and travertine (honed and Trojan edge).
Sandstone
Process
-Sandstone was formed from grains of sand instead of silt or clay, so its final appearance is that of a rock made of compacted sand.
Technical information
-During winter when the home is heated, sandstone floor will absorb warmth and create a warm and cozy feeling. In summer, the reverse applies, with the blinds down and the air conditioner on, sandstone floor will adapt to the cool room temperature and be cool to walk on.
-It is hard wearing floor coverings.
-Sandstone is non-combustible and therefore fire resistant.
-Suitable for indoor and outdoor living.
-Common surface finishes for sandstone
Eg, Homed: The surface of the tile is sanded to create a matte finish
Brushed: Wire brushing gave the surface a worn, textured surface.
Sand Blasted: Is a textured surface with a slightly glossy finish
Sawn or Natural: Natural surface is created by using a gang saw.
Limitations
-Sandstone tiles come in a variety of sizes and thickness. Most common sizes for indoor flooring, walls and paving are 300mm*300mm, 400mm*400mm, 500mm*500mm, 600mm*600mm, 600mm*300mm, 600mm*400mm.
-Thickness will increase generally from 12mm for wall tiles, up to 200mm for floor times and 300mm for pavers depends on the traffic load to choose the thickness of sandstone.
-If it is going to be exposed to moisture, you must make sure that you use a proper sealant.
Normal usage
-Traditionally used in sculpture and architecture
-Flooring and walls in wet and cry areas of your home.
Environmental impact
-It is very hard, durable and long lasting.
-Made up of natural material.
Advantages
-Very hard and durable- last a lifetime with good care
-Low maintenance.
-Available in wide range of colours, styles and patterns
-Hypoallergenic, allergen and bacteria resistant.
-Stain and moisture resistant.
Disadvantages
-Can be very expensive
-Can feel hard and cold underfoot
-Needs sealing
Company in Australia
Reference
Ceramic Tiles
Tiles
-It is manufactured piece of hard-wearing material.
Ceramic tiles
-Ceramic is an inorganic, nonmetallic solid prepared by the action of heat and subsequent cooling.
Process
-Ceramic tiles is a burned-clay product composed of a clay body with decorative surface glaze, used principally for decorative and sanitary effects.
-After the raw material are processed, methods including batching, mixing and grinding, spray drying, forming, drying, glazing and firming are to take place to obtain the finished product.
Technical information
-They are almost always finished with a durable glaze which creates colour, pattern and allows for easy maintenance.
-Ceramic materials are brittle, hard, and strong in compression, weak in shearing and tension.
-Back buttering is required to apply a quantity of adhesive to the back of a tile for laying.
-Highly glazed reflective finishes on ceramic tiles can achieve a distinctive and modern feel to an area.
Limitations
-Ceramic generally can withstand very high temperatures that range from 1000 degree celcius to 1600 degree celcius.
-Ceramic tiles can be rated as 5 different class for different usage.
-Class 1=Floor coverings in areas that are walked on essentially with soft soled footwear or bare feet without scratching dirt. (Eg, Domestic bathrooms and bedrooms)
-Class 2= Floor coverings in areas that are walked on with soft soled or normal foorwear with, at the most, occasional small amount of scratching dirt. (Eg, entrance ways or rooms in the living areas of homes)
-Class 3= Floor coverings in areas that are walked on quite often with normal footwear and small amounts of scratching dirt (Eg. Halls. Kitchen and corridors)
-Class4=Floor coverings in areas that are subjected to considerable traffic with some scratching dirt so that the conditions are the most severe for which glazed floor times are suitable (Eg, Restaurants and sales rooms)
-Class 5=The maximum resistance achieved for glazed tiles against footwear traffic and resistant to staining agents.
Normal usage
-Mostly use for indoor flooring.
-Wall art
-Furniture (table top)
Environmental impact
-Can be re use, smash into piece of mosaic for table top art or big piece for walkway.
Advantages
-Lots of choice available
-Reasonable price
Disadvantages
-Avoid dropping heavy objects onto the tiles. Tiles are not indestructible.
-Easily scratch especially high gloss floors.
Company in Australia
Reference
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Jarrah
Wood
-Strong and nature.
Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata)
Process
-The interlocked or wavy grain makes cutting difficult, and requires a special plane angle to prevent the grain from tearing. As with preservative treatments, this wood is finished with wax or varnish to preserve the natural colour.
Technical information
-Jarrah is a reddish wood, with pick to dark red sapwood turning brown with age. The heartwood is a dark, rich, brownish red with dark brown radial flick marks. Over time, heart wood turns a rich mahogany shade.
-Requires sharp tools on the curly grain.
-Steam bends moderately well, turns easily, glues and finishes well
-It is considerable harder than most North American and European hardwoods, including oak, sweet birch and walnut.
- It’s a heavy timber with a specific gravity of 1.1 when green.
Limitations
-Eucalyptus marginata tree grows up to 130 feet high, with a trunk up to 10 feet in diameter.
-Jarrah wood can withstand 16,200 lbs. per square inch (psi) of bending strength when dry, and 1750 psi of crushing strength.
Normal Usage
- Cabinet making
-Doors and window sills, Flooring
-Paneling
-Outdoor furniture.
-Particularly suited for structural material such as bridges, railway sleepers, telegraphs poles and wharves.
Environmental impact
-Can be recycles but nowadays old growth Jarrah has been seriously depleted.
-Can be re-used.
Advantages
-Highly decay resistant heartwood.
-In addition to its strength and durability, jarrah wood resists attack by marine borers, termites and powder post beetles.
-Resist to fire.
Disadvantages
-Its extreme density makes it difficult to treat with preservatives.
-More highly prized.
-Suffers from root rot fungus.
-Can be difficult to work due to dense hardness.
-Required pre-drill for nails and screws.
Leather
Textile
-Can be differentiating into different type. Eg. Cotton, satin, lycra, leather and a lot more
Leather
Process
-Divide into 4 fundamental sub-processes: preparatory, tanning and crusting. After undergo these sub-processes, further step such as surface coating can be added into the leather process sequence too.
-Preparatory stages can be preservation, soaking, liming, remove hair, fleshing, splitting, relining, bating, bleaching, degreasing and pickling.
-Tanning is the process which converts the protein of the raw hide or skin into a stable material which will not putrefy.
-Crusting means the hiding skin is thinned and lubricated. It includes wetting back, shaving, neutralization, fixating and staking.
Technical information
-Leather will break down with the passage of time due to its natural fibers.
-It may break down due to undergo high temperatures and relative humidity.
-Leather can be differentiating into full grain, top-grain, corrected-grain and split in general. There are a lot more less-common type such as buckskin, patent leather, deerskin and others.
-Leather from other animals such as buffalo, goats, alligators, lamb, snakes, kangaroos, ostriches and pig skin. Different type of skin are used for different usage depends on their thickness and fabrication.
-It can be decorated with pyrography and beading.
Limitation
-Size limitation depends on skin from animal.
-Do not have an exact fix size.
Normal usage
-Sofa
-Rugs
-Clothing
Environmental impact
-It is harmful as it creates the impact of livestock.
-Chemical used heavily polluted environment.
-Air pollution due to the process of cleaning and solvent vapors.
-Can be re-use but leather biodegrades slowly.
Advantages
-Suitable for heavy industry compare to other type of textile.
-It can stand of dirt and can be wipe of easily.
Disadvantages
-Serious environmental impact cause.
- Time consuming as it is difficult to search for the right size and thicker to be sewed and used.
-Require more laborious to make.
Company in Australia
- http://www.leffler.com.au/
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Plywood
Wood
Basic
- Natural, organic, lightweight, strong, readily accessible, simple to work with in construction
- Flaws in a piece of wood such as knots, splits, or wraps affect its strength, grading and appearance.
Plywood
Process
-Made up of multiple wood veneers glued together, alternating grain direction ninety degrees for each adjacent veneer.
-Made from wood veneer sheets rotary slices from logs and then kiln- dried to an approximate moisture content of 5%.
-Pressed together under elevated temperature and high pressure to create a solid board.
Technical information
-Differentiate into grades for different usage
Eg. N-being a smooth, natural finish
A- A smooth, paint grade finish
B- Smooth finish with knots and plugs
C- Sheathing grades, unsanded
D- A grade limited to interior panel use
-High uniform strength in relation to its weight.
-Affords a way to create curved shapes to be framed.
-Exterior grade plywood (WBP)
Limitations
Standard plywood sheet – 4 by 8 feet (121.9*243.8)
Thickness for standard sheet- 0.25 to 1.124 inches (6.35 to 28.57mm)
Normal Usage
-Use on floors, walls and roofs in house constructions.
-Furniture such as chair and table
-Wall paneling
-Sheds and cladding are made from this material.
- Exterior grade plywood (WBP - Weather and Boil Proof). This type of plywood can be used outside. Water-resistant adhesives are used and can resist a certain amount of moisture.
Environmental impact
-It is environmentally friendly material but if it is stick together, the glue and chemical used might not be biodegradable.
-Plywood can be recycle if it is not undergo with chemical.
Advantages
-The more veneers used, the stronger the plywood becomes.
-Easy to be transport once product is done. (Lightweight compare to other material such as concrete)
Disadvantages
-It’s weight and unwieldiness, and unless a high grade is selected plywood can have voids and inconsistencies in its structure.
Reference
-Materials for architectural design, By Victoria Ballard Bell with Patrick Rand
-http://www.woodsolutions.com.au/Wood-Product-Categories/Plywood
-Materials for architectural design, By Victoria Ballard Bell with Patrick Rand
-http://www.woodsolutions.com.au/Wood-Product-Categories/Plywood
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)