Polycarbonate laminates thermo-mechanical behaviour under different operating temperatures

This study deals with tensile tests on rigid polymeric innovative material for greenhouse covering. Specimens of polycarbonate Makrolon ® UV Climate Control blue were analyzed. Tension tests were conducted on bone-shaped samples, according to European standards, and at different temperatures from 20 °C to 80 °C on the basis of the summer temperatures registered by the greenhouses supporting metal structures in contact with the plastic covering. During tensile test the surface temperature of the specimens was measured using infrared technology. Finally, the obtained strain and temperature trend are discussed and an interpretation of the mechanical behaviour of the material is given based on a Griffith like approach.