ABOUT
Among the most interesting applications of Perclax® methacrylate blocks are AQuariA® Aquarium windows, high technologies pure cast acrylic blocks, specifically produced, certified (PVHO-1) and guaranteed, for underwater use.
Over the past several years, this innovative material has been used for the new, large private and public aquarium generation.
AQuariA® pure cast acrylics, stands out for its extreme purity and transparency, brightness, lightness and ageing resistance, as well as for the standard production of large acrylic blocks, with thicknesses up to 750 mm and sizes up to 9980×3050 mm.
The great mechanical properties of our AQuariA® methacrylate, in addition with the great ductility of the material, allowed Clax to produce and design aquarium tanks, within the biggest in the world.
In addition, AQuariA® acrylic can be bent by thermoforming process in order to obtain large cylinders and tunnels keeping the same unchanged and excellent optical, physical and transparency properties.
Hold up the pressure of tons of water.
The production of thick pure cast acrylic blocks of high molecular weight, specifically produced, certified and guaranteed for underwater use, is a prerogative of Clax Italia AQuarium Division, and are identified and marked with the AQuariA® brand, which is guarantee of:
- Calibrated and calculated thicknesses, by Clax Italia engineering dept. in accordance with international building codes;
- Physical/chemical properties which consider a constant and static thrust due to water loading on one of the two surfaces;
- High technologies pure cast polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) blocks, subjected to annealing process;
4. Complete polymerization that guarantee less internal material tensions;
5. 30 years guarantee against yellowing;
6. Surfaces with a minimum of total transmitted light equal or higher than 92%;
BONDING and INSTALLATIONS techniques and technologies for large PMMA components are another important element through which Clax Italia AQuarium Division team can use its know-how.
Especially for blocks of big thickness, bonding and installation technologies should be performed without compromising purity and transparency, keeping high mechanical properties. Based on rigorous and meticulous researches, Clax Italia has developed his own chemical adhesives (acrylic resins generally known as “glues”) produced “ad hoc” for this specific field, and not available, as a separate product, on the market.
AQUARIUM DIVISION
So important for the perfect assembly of big elements in PMMA, are the technologies used as installation’s technique,
and the acrylic resins better known as glue.
Specially for the high thickness blocks, the installation’s technology and the bondings, have to be carried out without compromise on transparence and pureness.
Result of a thorough and meticulous research and development study, are the chemical resins (known as glue) manufactured by Clax Italia and realized “ad hoc” for each specific panel.
production
AQuariA® Acrylics are the top class production of Perclax® with special chemical properties, which make them suitable for underwater use in accordance with PVHO-1.
The production is constantly monitored throughout all the stages, to ensure the best
quality for the optical (30 years guarantee) and mechanical properties: complete
polymerization and less internal material tensions are guaranteed.
In addition, AQuariA® PMMA can be bent by thermoforming process in order to
obtain large cylinders and tunnels with the same unchanged and excellent optical,
physical and mechanical properties.
The production of thick cast acrylic blocks of high molecular weight, specifically forunderwater use, is a prerogative of Clax Italia – AQuarium Division; identified with AQuariA® brand, they belong to a product family which also guarantees:
- calibrated and calculated thicknesses;
- physical/chemical properties which consider a constant and static thrust due to water loading on one of the two surfaces;
- cast polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) blocks
subjected to annealing process thanks to which complete polymerization
and less internal material tensions are guaranteed;
- extremely transparent and colorless surfaces with a minimum of total transmitted light ≥ 92%;
- compliance with the European regulations DIN4102 for Class B2.
- Certified by Germanischer Lloyd for underwater use.
da 15 a 25 | 3040×2040 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
da 30 a 350 | 3040×2040 | 4050×2050 | 5050×2050 | 6050×2050 | 4050×3050 | 5050×3050 | 6050×3050 | — | — |
da 30 a 210 | 3040×2040 | 4050×2050 | 5050×2050 | 6050×2050 | 4050×3050 | 5050×3050 | 6050×3050 | 7850×3050 | 9980×3050 |
Specification
AQuariA® Products are constantly monitored throughout all production stages, strictly fulfil the highest quality production standards.
Characteristics | AQuariA® | Rules ASTM |
---|---|---|
Density | 1,19 g/cm³ | D 792 |
Modulus of Elasticity | ≥ 3300 N/mm² | D 790 |
Flexural strength | ≥ 120 N/mm² | D 798 |
Tensile Strengh | ≥ 80 N/mm² | D 638 |
Elongation | ≥ 5 % | D 638 |
Molecular Weight | >3.000.000 | / |
Free Monomer | < 1% | / |
Light Transmittance | ≥ 92% | D 1003 |
Turbidity | ≤ 0,5% | D 1003 |
Refractive Index | 1,49 | D 542 |
Vicat | > 105° C | D 1525 |
Water absorption | ≤ 0,2% | D 570 |
“CLAX’S QUALITY AND INTEGRITY ARE SUPREME AND I AM HAPPY THAT WE HAVE CHOSEN THEM AS THE SUPPLIERS FOR THE ACRYLICS.”
Mike D.M.
Two Oceans Aquarium – Cape Town
South Africa