MultiQ®
MultiQ is a product line of thermoplastic composites in panel form whose specific properties make them particularly suitable as an environmental alternative to plywood in outdoor applications. However, coated with special laminate surfaces, MultiQ can also be used in interiors as an alternative to wood-based panels (HDF and MDF).
The MultiQ product line is a modular system. The composition of the glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) sandwich panels offers plenty of scope for variation and permits design to customer specification. Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials makes it possible to have panels produced in different colors and sizes up to a maximum size of 2.2 x 3.5 m.
The core of the MultiQ Concrete and MultiQ Impact fiber composite sandwich panels consists of glass and polypropylene fibers (SymaLITE) and is faced on both sides with a cover layer of high-strength, UV-resistant GMTex. During production, the two sheet-like semi-finished products are fused into 9 to 22 mm thick sandwich panels through the application of heat. The special combination of multi-directional glass fibers in the core and cover layer fibers oriented in the direction of tension and compression yields the desired high material stiffness with a low weight per unit area.
- High stiffness with low weight per unit area
- No change in the characteristic mechanical values when exposed to moisture
- Ideal for outdoor use in any weather
- Dimensionally stable on exposure to moisture
- Impact- and fracture-resistant even at low temperatures
- UV-resistant
- Can be worked like wood (nailed, drilled, sawn, screwed, milled, etc.)
- Durable as it does not rot and resists moisture
- Simple to clean and repair
- Low transport costs
- Rapid erection and dismantling
- Environment-friendly as it is 100% recyclable
| Criteria | MultiQ® | Plywood |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | up to -20% vs. plywood | -------- |
| Humidity absorption | no change | swelling, strong reduction of mechanical properties |
| Resistance to rot, corrosion and mildew | excellent | rotting, promote mildewing |
| Mechanical properties (exposed to environment) | no degration in properties | -40% degradation in properties |
| Thickness tolerance (exposed to environment) | +/- 0.3 mm (0.012 in.) | > 2 mm (0.078 in.) |
| Scratch resistance | excellent | conditional good, depending on height of coating |
| Impact resistance | excellent | fair |
| Sawing, nailing or screw attachement | similar to plywood (no splintering) | standard method |
| Repairability | yes | yes |
| Clean | very easy to clean | -------- |
| Life expactancy | 3-5x longer than plywood (> 200 pours) | project and environment dependent (approx. 50 pours) |
| Cost | much more cost efficiency than plywood, related to life cycle | 2x cheaper, but much shorter life cycle |
No effect of water on MultiQ®
Plywood loses up to 55% of its flexural properties, while MultiQ's mechanical properties remain unchanged.
 |
-
keyboard_arrow_downMechanical Properties
Criteria Value Flexural Modulus (longitudinal) 5400 - 6200 MPa Flexural Modulus (transverse) 4000 - 5000 MPa Flexural strength (longitudinal) 40 - 70 MPa Flexural strength (transverse) 35 - 60 MPa Grey color RAL 7032 Temperatur of use -40 - +80° C -
keyboard_arrow_downBenefits
MultiQ® Concrete- Long and economic life span
- Excellent concrete surface quality
- Easy to cut, drill, mill
- Scratch-resistant, no splintering
- Easy to clean
- recyclable
Under the name of MultiQ Concrete, Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials Composites markets GRP sandwich panels that are used in the construction industry as moisture-resistant, durable formwork panels. The environment-friendly composite panel can be worked like plywood – i.e. nailed, sawn and drilled without splintering – but is far superior to the classic plywood formwork panel in terms of its mechanical properties. It possesses high rigidity with a low weight per unit area, is weather-resistant and does not rot, remains resistant to impacts even at low temperatures, is insensitive to the effects of moisture and dimensionally stable, doesn’t swell or gain in weight, is resistant to all the chemicals encountered on construction sites and achieves a high quality of concrete surface. Furthermore, the innovative plastic panel features a much longer service life with significantly lower cleaning and care needs and can also be recycled with ease.
-
keyboard_arrow_downMechanical Properties
Criteria Value Flexural Modulus (longitudinal) 5400 MPa Flexural Modulus (transverse) 5000 MPa Flexural strength (longitudinal) 60 MPa Flexural strength (transverse) 50 MPa Grey color RAL 8017 Temperatur of use -40 - +80° C -
keyboard_arrow_downBenefits
MultiQ® Impact- increased safety because no hidden rotting
- long and economic life span
- antislip surface
- no swelling or shrinking when wet
- easy to cut, drill, mill
- scratch-resistant
- recyclable
MultiQ Impact is a high-performance sandwich panel that has been specially developed as a board for construction scaffolds and other walkways with high levels of demanded impact resistance. The plastic scaffold boards factory-finished with an anti-slip surface are light, extremely impact- and fracture-resistant, non-weathering, non-rotting, easy to clean and extra-durable.
The MultiQ DecoLine product family brings together panel
composite materials whose specific properties are attuned to
decorative applications on floors and walls. Its low weight,
moisture resistance, low thermal expansion, potential for
integrating functions, and high sound and thermal insulation
are characteristic of the novel panel material that can be used in
a huge range of applications where wood-based panels
are to be replaced as the core material.
The most recent application is for laminate flooring employed in
wet areas.