Surface IQ
From MaterialProject.org, the free architectural material catalog
Contents |
Material analysis
MasterFormat Number: 09 70 00
Definition
Surface IQ is a new generation of PVC-free sustainable wall covering material. It provides all of the durability, tensile strength and tear resistant properties of Type II vinyl wall covering without sacrificing any of its aesthetic range of design and texture. It offers outstanding performance while eliminating the pitfalls of vinyl wall covering: chlorine, plasticizers, heavy metals, formaldehyde and dioxin. Surface IQ addresses one of the largest issues facing designers today—Indoor Air Quality. "You can breathe easier knowing that Surface IQ passes the rigorous California 01350 and CHPS standards, and has earned the SCS Indoor Advantage Gold certification." [1]
Manufacturing process
Surface IQ is built on a breakthrough technology called TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin Technology), which claimed to be "the most significant wall covering technology in more than 50 years." [2]
Surface IQ technology utilizes an engineered polyethylene (PE) film, laminated to the Type II non-woven backing (which is primarily cellulose and polyester). PE has many desirable attributes and is extremely safe to manufacture, use and dispose of. Unlike PVC that is rigid by its nature, PE is inherently soft and supple therefore no plasticizer needs to be added. Additionally, PE has a low processing temperature in comparison to PVC, which enables manufactures use one-third less energy to produce this material than PVC film.
It derives from ethylene, a component of natural gas, and possesses unique strength and performance properties. It uses natural-clay fire retardants and water-based inks, and are available with micro perforations to reduce moisture build-up. By not using PVC, the potential dangers in manufacturing chlorine based products are eliminated. Greenpeace has identified PE as one of the least environmentally harmful plastics and recommends it as an alternative to PVC.
- Plasticizers free: the exclusion of phthalate plasticizers, which are necessary to make vinyl wall coverings flexible, makes Surface IQ dramatically safer that vinyl
- Chlorine free: all inks and coatings in Surface IQ are water based, no vinyl resins
- Heavy metals free: no heavy metals are used in any component of Surface IQ, so the product can be safely land filled or incinerated
- Formaldehyde free
- Halogen free: achieves a Class A fire rating without halogenated flame retardant additives.
Cost analysis
- $19.50 per yard(net price per linear yard) by Carnegie[3]
- $22.50 per yard ($24.20/m; net wholesale rate) [4]
Dimension
- Width: 54" (standard commercial wall covering)
- Repeat length and width Vary by differet pattern selections
Material properties
Primary use
- Wall coverings
Material performance
- Meets or exceeds CCC-W-408D for Type II wall coverings
- Free of elemental Chlorine (film, backing, adhesive, inks and coating)
- Exceptional tear (63 x 50) and tensile (113 x 99) strengths
- Excellent stain resistance and scrubbability
- Halogen-Free fire retardant additives; Class A Fire Rating
- Contains anti-microbial additive (without use of Arsenic) to inhibit the growth of mold and mildew and passes ASTM G-21 and G-22 tests for resistance to mold and bacteria growth
Environment and Life Safety
Environmental impact
- Improve Indoor Air Quality: passes the rigorous California 01350. It was tested under the full 96 hour protocol measuring emissions rates for each of the chemicals on the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment Chronic Reference Exposure Limits. Surface IQ received a pass rating for all tested chemicals.
- Clean TPO polymer technology
- PVC, plasticizer, heavy metal Free
- All inks and coatings are water based, PVC free
- Halogen-free flame retardants
- Anti-microbial – without use of arsenic
- End of Life – can be converted to clean BTU’s or safely landfilled
- Third Party Certificatons:
- Meets California 01350 Indoor Air Quality Standards
- Qualifies for LEED Indoor Air Quality credits
- Meets the CHPS Low-Emitting Materials criteria-Section 01350-for use in a typical classroom
- Earned MBDC Cradle to Cradle Silver certification - Surface IQ is the only printed commercial grade wall covering to have earned this certification for healthy and sustainable product design.
- SCS Indoor Advantage™ Gold Certified through Low Emitting Material Test
- GreenSpec Listed
Flammability rating
- Fire rating: Class A or 1 areas under ASTM E84 Tunnel Test
References
Notes
- ↑ http://www.lentexcorp.com/surface-iq-non-vinyl
- ↑ http://www.carnegiefabrics.com/pdf_upload_files/THE_ENVRNMNT/our_prdcts/OUR_PRDCTS_SurfaceIQ_text.pdf
- ↑ http://www.carnegiefabrics.com/pdf_upload_files/Carnegie_PriceBook.pdf
- ↑ http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/ID/3724
Student contributions
- Grace Chen, Spring 2010
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