Innovative waterproof insulating mounting plate premiered

At a trade show, it comes down to standing out. This can be done with a large booth or an exceptional concept, but the most important factor is the products. Unique, innovative solutions attract the visitor's attention immediately. BelgaPlastics/BelgaClima is already showing a real newcomer at Polyclose.

After all, the Melle-based company has been the Benelux distributor of the Phonotherm^® plates, which stand out for their water resistance, pressure resistance and strong insulating capacity. They are also temperature-resistant, soundproof, recyclable, have a high resistance to chemicals and are very easy to process and glue. In order to meet increasingly stringent energy performance requirements, airtight construction is a necessity. Often existing products are no longer sufficient and we must invest in the development of new innovative solutions.

Phonotherm® sheets can also be used as substructure for door thresholds.

“Under the brand name BelgaClima, we supply a strongly balanced and high-quality range of air sealing systems. With Phonotherm^® we are now choosing to distribute a product that has been around for some time, but is now gaining popularity very quickly,” says commercial director Werner Stapel. “These waterproof, insulating mounting plates can be used for a variety of applications. They are ideal for the substructure of a sliding window or door sill, as a window support profile, as a pre-wall mounting system or as an over plaster shutter box. Furthermore, they can be used in facade and conservatory construction and are suitable as a substructure for kitchen worktops or as an inset or framing for doors.”

Innovative product

Phonoterm^® sheets are pressure-resistant, insulating and moisture-resistant. Thus, this product can support up to 7,000 kilopascals, which is interesting at a time when window elements are becoming increasingly large. Given its thermal conductivity of about 0.0765 W/(m.k), these sheets also make it easier to meet energy performance standards. The insensitivity to moisture extends the service life and avoids mold and rot at all times. Since these boards absorb almost no moisture, they are also extremely suitable for use in damp rooms and basements. Furthermore, this product is also temperature-resistant, soundproof and recyclable, as well as having a high resistance to chemicals.

“Phonoterm^® boards are made from surplus board material from larger insulation material manufacturers. In the process, only high-quality polyurethane foams that are free of CFCs, HCFCs and formaldehyde are used. However, the production of these boards takes time: about 20 minutes until one board is ready. And that poses a real challenge, especially now that this product is gaining popularity,” the commercial director continued.

BelgaPlastics supplies Phonotherm® sheets from stock. (Image: Giedo de Vos)

“The surplus insulation material, along with any leftovers from our own production, are first ground, then auxiliary materials are added. A high temperature, steam and immense presses do the rest. Then the material must slowly cure from the inside out. The complete hardening of a plate occurs at a rate of 1 mm every 15 to 20 seconds. In the process, it is first heated to 140° C and then cooled again to 40° C, which is important to avoid warping.”

Easy processing and bonding

The Phonotherm^® sheets are standard delivered with a dimension of 2400 x 1350 mm and are available in different thicknesses between 15 and 80 mm. However, Belgaplastics can also deliver these sheets to size. “Even though this is a complex product, its processing and gluing is child's play. For example, machining is done on ordinary woodworking machines with attachments coated with carbide,” Werner Stapel concludes.

“Phonotherm^® is screwable and one can mill, grind, drill and glue the material together. For screwing, pre-drilling is necessary or one should choose screws with a drill point. For the bonding of seams, plates, cutouts and mouldings it is best to use 2-component polyurethane adhesives, while for surface bonding 1- or 2-component polyurethane adhesives are suitable. It is best to sand the boards before they can be glued.”   

POLYCLOSE - BOOTH 1392