A Complete Guide

on Sandwich Panels
Uses, Advantages and Differences
A COMPLETE GUIDE ON SANDWICH PANELS

Index
Characteristics of polyurethane
sandwich panels 5

Types of sandwich panels 6

For façades 7

For roofing 7

Refrigerated panels 7

PUR/PIR Sandwich Panels 8

Advantages of PUR/PIR
sandwich panels 9

Properties of PUR/PIR
sandwich panels 10
 USES, ADVANTAGES AND DIFFERENCES

Differences between PUR/PI

and rock wool sandwich panels 11

PUR (Polyurethane)/PIR (Polyisocyanurate)

sandwich panel characteristics 11

Characteristics of the rock wool

sandwich panel 11

When to use polyurethane sandwich panel

and when to choose rock wool? 11

Durability and Sustainability 12

of Sandwich Panels

Environmental benefits of PIR/PUR

sandwich panels 13

Quick assembly and durability 13

Renewable and Recyclable Sourced 14

Product Management

INDEX 3
A COMPLETE GUIDE ON SANDWICH PANELS

A Complete Guide on Sandwich Panels

Uses, Advantajes and Differences

Sandwich panels are a modular building material designed to cover buildings

and structures.These panels consist of two layers that form the outer structu-
re and ensure form, weather resistance and rigidity. They contain a core that
provides thermal and acoustic insulation properties.
 USES , ADVANTAGES AND DIFFERENCES

Characteristics
Características
of polyurethane
de los paneles sándwich
sandwich
de poliuretano
panels

One of the most important features of polyurethane sandwich panels is

their excellent insulation. The core of the plates gives it low thermal con-
ductivity, that is, better insulation. For this reason, it is often used in the
renovation of buildings, both on roofs and façades, and in the construc-
tion of industrial buildings.

Sandwich panels are manufactured and installed very quickly. For assem-
bly, they are screwed to the structure and, depending on the finish, it can
be with visible or concealed screws. This makes the construction time one
of the shortest compared to other systems.

One of the most important advantages of sandwich panels as a construction

element is the variety of shapes and finishes available on the market. There
are all types of panels depending on the building for which it is designed. The
finishes vary between rustic and modern, and we can find imitation wood or
imitation tile panels among others.
El ancho de la placa aislante suele ser de 1.000 mm y en algunos mo-
delos es de 1.150 mm de ancho. La longitud del panel sándwich se puede
Theajustar
width según las necesidades
of the insulation deusually
board is cada proyecto
1,000 mm siendo lassome
and, in dimensiones
models,
más normales entre 3 y 6 metros, pero en algunos casos se
it is 1,150 mm wide. The length of the sandwich panel can be adjusted accor- puede llegar
ding toathe
unaneeds
longitud máxima
of each de hasta
project, 16 common
the most metros. Los espesores
dimensions de estos
being pa-
between
3 and 6neles pueden
metres, but, variar
in some enormemente dependiendo
cases, a maximum lengthdeof la
upaplicación finalcan
to 16 metres de
estos,The
be reached. siendo los valores
thicknesses más comunes
of these entre
panels can vary40enormously
y 150-200 mm de grosor
depending on
dependiendo
the final application,de thelamost
aplicación.
common values being between 40 and 150-200
mm thick depending on the application.

CHARACTERISTICS OF POLYURETHANE SANDWICH PANELS 5

A COMPLETE GUIDE ON SANDWICH PANELS

Types of Sandwich panels

Sandwich panels can be adapted to all building needs and typologies, with
different types of panels for each case. Below, we show you the main types
depending on their application, so that you know how to choose your sandwich
panel correctly:
 USES , ADVANTAGES AND DIFFERENCES

Sandwich panels for facades

Sandwich panels for facades have been improved for the construction of
enclosures in homes, schools, hospitals, industrial centres or shopping centres.
Sandwich panels can also be found for interior partitions that require insulation.
The advantages offered by these façade panels depend to a large extent on
the method of joining between panels. The fastening system is implemented in
a tongue-and-groove manner, ensuring adequate protection, preventing the dis-
sipation of heat and humidity.

Sandwich panels for roofing

The characteristics of sandwich panels for roofs differ from façade panels
in that they will have to withstand large amounts of snow, rain and other climatic
factors.
They are fixed to the structure with self-drilling screws, to prevent leakage
in case of rain and humidity, and are often combined with sealing joints, which
speeds up installation without sacrificing the insulation layer.

Refrigerated panels

Sandwich panels can also be used in cold rooms or freezers where insula-
tion is required. For these cases, the sandwich panel is designed with a thick-
ness greater than normal to be able to withstand negative temperatures.
To maintain these extreme temperatures necessary for the preservation of
fresh food products, special attention must be paid to the joints between the
sandwich panels.

TYPES OF SANDWICH PANELS 7

A COMPLETE GUIDE ON SANDWICH PANELS

PUR/PIR Sandwich Panels

The production of polyurethane rigid foam sandwich panels has become a fun-
damental tool for high performance building systems.
Although the processability between PIR and PUR panels is similar but
with certain differentiating nuances, such as processing temperatures, higher
in the case of PIR panels,or the use of adhesives to improve the adhesion be-
tween the sheet and the foam, in the case of PIR panels, although more and
more PUR panels producers are also using an adhesive in certain panels to
guarantee the adhesion between the sheet and the foam, thefield of applica-
tion of PUR / PIR sandwich panels is very similar, and they can be used for:

External enclosure: facades and roofs.

Compartmentalisation of interior spaces:

Fire sectors
Partitions
Food processing rooms
Clean rooms
Cold rooms, etc…
 USES , ADVANTAGES AND DIFFERENCES

Advantages of PUR/PIR sandwich panels

The advantages of PUR / PIR sandwich panels is what makes these insulation
panels even more attractive for health, safety and the environment:

Thermal insulation: It is one of the thermal insulation products with the

lowest thermal conductivity coefficient. It guarantees the absence of ther-
mal bridges thanks to the homogeneity of the insulation at all points of the
panel. The assembly also minimises thermal bridges thanks to the joints,
normally tongue and groove, between panels. Reduced insulation thick-
ness thanks to the low thermal conductivity coefficient of the polyurethane
foam.

Optimisation of usable space, since a minimum thickness is required to

achieve a maximum thermal insulation level.

Virtually no water absorption due to the closed cell structure of the poly-
mer, which makes them waterproof.

Mechanical properties that give the panels great rigidity and low weight,
which facilitates and economises transport, handling, installation and
structural sizing. Ease of machining and cutting.

Reaction to fire performance which makes PUR/PIR sandwich panels fire

safe.

ADVANTAGES OF PUR/PIR SANDWICH PANELS 9

A COMPLETE GUIDE ON SANDWICH PANELS

Properties of
PUR/PIR sandwich panels

In terms of properties, the main difference between PUR/PIR sandwich pa-

nels lies in their composition. The foam obtained with PIR (Polyisocyanurate)
systems contains a high degree of aromaticity due to the formation of the
polyisocyanurate structure, providing a higher thermal stability compared to
urethane (PUR) groups, thus improving its fire resistance.
The PIR foam reacts safely to fire by forming a carbonised surface layer
that protects and prevents the penetration of fire into the inner layers. In the
composition of PIR panels, as a general rule, there is a lower concentration
of flame retardants than in PUR panels, thus generating less smoke during
combustion. There are even PIR panels on the market that are free of halogen
flame retardants.
Even so, the products must be tested to determine their fire behaviour with
the reaction and fire resistance test methods according to current regulations
depending on the location.
In terms of thermal properties, PIR remains stable in a higher temperature
range than PUR.
 USES , ADVANTAGES AND DIFFERENCES

Differences between PUR/PIR and rock wool

sandwich panels

The characteristics and performance of sandwich panels will therefore be

determined by the type of material they contain inside.

PUR (Polyurethane)/PIR (Polyisocyanurate) sandwich panel

characteristics

Panels with a rigid PUR/PIR insulation core have a very low thermal conduc-
tivity. They are also lightweight and have an excellent strength to weight ratio.
Their core is made up of a foam resulting from the reaction of isocyanate
and polyol, a mixture to which other additives are added to form the properties
of the final foam or insulating core... This results in a single product of great in-
sulating value.
The main difference between insulation cores (PUR and PIR) is that the foam
obtained with PIR systems (Polyisocyanurate) contains a high degree of aroma-
ticity due to the formation of the polyisocyanurate structure, providing greater
thermal stability compared to urethane groups (PUR), thus improving its resis-
tance and reaction to fire

Characteristics of the rock wool sandwich panel

The core of the rock wool sandwich panel is also adhered to the two metal
sheets by means of an adhesive. This adhesive is usually polyurethane-based,
and the binders used to join the fibres to form rigid panels, including the paint or
lacquer of the sheet, are also usually polyurethane-based.
Rock wool, a fibrous material made from volcanic rocks and different mine-
rals, is a medium thermal insulation and a great acoustic insulation, with a good
reaction to fire.

PROPERTIES OF PUR/PIR SANDWICH PANELS 11

A COMPLETE GUIDE ON SANDWICH PANELS

When to use polyurethane sandwich panel

and when to choose rock wool?

The polyurethane sandwich panel has a lower thermal conductivity than

rock wool, so insulation values are achieved with less thickness. It is the most
commonly used option in buildings and installations with high thermal effi-
ciency requirements, such as the refrigeration industry.
The rock wool panel is usually used for sectorization. Although there are
already PIR panels on the market with excellent fire resistance performance.
In addition, polyurethane panels are much lighter in weight than rock wool
panels and require more technical means for transportation and installation.
 USES , ADVANTAGES AND DIFFERENCES

Durability and Sustainability of Sandwich

Panels

Environmental advantages of PIR/PUR sandwich panels

With a view to the 2030 agenda, the world of construction is choosing ma-
terials and building systems that are increasingly environmentally friendly. PIR/
PUR sandwich panels have a lot to contribute to the decarbonisation of the sec-
tor. They undoubtedly contribute to the sustainability of buildings by improving
their energy efficiency and thus reducing energy consumption.

In addition, both the metal of the panel and its core can be recyclable materials,
thus favouring a more sustainable waste management. Moreover, the panels
are industrially manufactured and can be cut to size, according to the needs of
each project. In other words, material waste is minimal.

Quick assembly and durability

Another advantage of PIR/PUR sandwich panels is that they are easy to ins-
tall. As lightweight elements, they require hardly any technical means, as they
can be installed manually under certain circumstances. This also contributes to
the sustainability of PIR/PUR sandwich panels, because the emission of pollu-
tant gases is reduced as no machinery is required for installation. In addition,
the speed of installation also reduces construction time, another great environ-
mental advantage.
On the other hand, the high durability of PIR/PUR panels varies depending
on environmental conditions. In saline environments, for example, it may be less
durable. In this sense, it is important to choose the right finishes depending on
the installation environment. In this line, another advantage is that the panel
arrives ready from the factory with all kinds of finishes.

DURABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY OF SANDWICH PANELS 13

A COMPLETE GUIDE ON SANDWICH PANELS

Renewable and Recyclable

Sourced Product
Management

At Synthesia Technology we reaffirm our commitment to sustainability by pro-

moting the circularity of materials and improving the environmental perfor-
mance of our products, all to reduce our impact on the planet.
 USES , ADVANTAGES AND DIFFERENCES

Since 2003, Synthesia Technology has been using BIO-based raw materials
from renewable resources and recycled PET in the production of polyols, a key
raw material used in the manufacture of high-performance core insulation sand-
wich panels with PIR technology, demonstrating that it is possible to use plastic
responsibly, recycling it into a new product that helps to reduce energy con-
sumption and CO2 emissions, to the benefit of all.

Visit our website for the most important commercial references for
PIR insulation systems for continuous lamination.

RENEWABLE AND RECYCLABLE SOURCED PRODUCT MANAGEMENT 15

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assistance or a personalised
quote?.

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