MATERIAL DATA SHEET

Insulated translucent panel (e.g., Kalwall) (40mm, 70mm, 100mm)

Insulated Panel
composite › Panelised › Insulated Panel
compositepanelisedtranslucentdaylightingFRPthermal-insulationUV-resistantstructural-panelenergy-efficient
ATLAS CODE
COM-PNL-INS-001
Insulated translucent panel (e.g., Kalwall) (40mm, 70mm, 100mm)
Category composite
Material Family Panelised
Regulatory Status Class A
Density
<2 lb/ft? (?9.8 kg/m?) panel weight kg/m³
Carbon (A1-A5)
45 kgCO₂e
Fire Class
Class A
Lifespan
30 yrs
Description

Insulated translucent panels (e.g., Kalwall) combine FRP faces and a grid core with translucent insulation packages. Kalwall lists U?factors from 0.53 down to 0.05 W/m??K with visible light transmission (VLT) between 3?50%. Standard Kalwall panels weigh under 2 lb/ft? (?9.8 kg/m?), offering lightweight daylighting with high thermal performance.

Primary Sectors
[Institutional][Industrial][Healthcare][Commercial]
Typical Uses
  • Museum and gallery daylighting
  • Industrial facility skylights and clerestories
  • Educational facility corridors and common areas
  • Sports facility walls and roofs
  • Healthcare facility atriums
  • Commercial building facades
  • Canopies and covered walkways
  • Pool enclosures
  • Botanical gardens and greenhouses
Recycled Content 0
Renewable Content 0
Recyclability 20
Embodied Carbon 45 kgCO₂e
Embodied Energy 500 MJ/kg
EPD Available No
Advantages
Exceptional thermal performance (U-values as low as 0.05 W/m²K)Diffused, glare-free natural daylightingUV protection (blocks UV-A and UV-B)Lightweight (approximately 9.76 kg/m²)High strength-to-weight ratioSelf-cleaning surface propertiesMan-safe for roof applications (OSHA compliant)Large span capabilities (up to 6m for walls)Vandal and graffiti resistantHurricane and blast resistant options available
Cautions
Higher initial cost than polycarbonate alternativesNo direct view to exterior (translucent only)Limited Australian suppliers (imported product)Requires specialist installation trainingCustom manufacturing lead timesLimited colour optionsThermal movement considerations requiredNot suitable where transparency required
CLAD MATERIALS ATLAS PAGE 1 OF 4
TECHNICAL DATA: PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES COM-PNL-INS-001
Density (Dry) <2 lb/ft? (?9.8 kg/m?) panel weight kg/m³
Water Absorption 0.1 %
Surface Roughness 2 μm
UV Resistance Excellent
Chemical Resistance Excellent
pH Tolerance 3-11
Compressive Strength 7 MPa
Tensile Strength 70 MPa
Flexural Strength 140 MPa
Shear Strength 35 MPa
Elastic Modulus 7000 GPa
Impact Resistance 95 J/m
Bearing Capacity 4800 kN/m²
Poisson's Ratio 0.3
Creep Resistance Excellent
Abrasion Resistance Good
Thermal Conductivity 0.05 W/mK
Thermal Resistance 20 m²K/W
Specific Heat Capacity 1200 J/kgK
Thermal Expansion 0.000023 μm/m·K
Ignition Temperature 425 °C
Sound Transmission Class (STC) 26
Noise Reduction Coeff. (NRC) 0.05
Optical
Light Transmittance 3?50% VLT (Kalwall TI options) %
Light Reflectance (LRV) 75 %

Kalwall Corporation invented the translucent structural sandwich panel in 1955, pioneering the use of FRP technology in building envelopes. The system evolved from simple skylights to sophisticated curtain wall systems. Similar technologies developed globally include Danpal (Israel, 1983) and Rodeca (Germany). In Australia, polycarbonate systems gained prominence from the 1990s, with FRP sandwich panels specified primarily for institutional projects requiring superior performance. Current trends focus on improving thermal performance with aerogel insulation and achieving net-zero building standards.

CLAD MATERIALS ATLAS PAGE 2 OF 4
SAFETY, ECOLOGY & INSTALLATION COM-PNL-INS-001
Flame Spread Index 25
Smoke Developed Index 450
Combustibility Class Class A
Ignition Temperature 425 °C
Fire Resistance Rating Non-combustible core hours
Toxicity of Combustion Low
Embodied Carbon (A1-A3) 45 kgCO₂e/kg
Embodied Energy 500 MJ/kg
EPD Available No
Recycled Content 0%
Renewable Content 0%
LEED Points 5
Circular Economy Score 3 /100
VOC Emissions Low g/L
Skill Level Specialist
Crew Size 3
Installation Time 20 hr/m²
Curing Time 0 hours
Setting Time 0 min
Temperature Range -20 to 40 °C
Humidity Range 0-95 %
Required Tools
Aluminium cutting toolsLifting equipment for large panelsSealant application toolsTorque-controlled fastenersSafety equipment for height work
Certifications Required
Manufacturer training certificateWorking at heightsAluminium fabrication
Weather Limitations
No installation in winds >40 km/hAvoid installation in heavy rainTemperature range 5-35°C preferred
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COMMERCIAL, LOGISTICS & REGULATORY COM-PNL-INS-001
Material Cost 250-450
Installation Cost 150-250
Annual Maintenance 5
Lifecycle Cost (50yr) 8500
Market Availability Import/Special order
Lead Time 8-12 weeks weeks
Design Life 30 years
Warranty Period 10 years
Maintenance Interval 5 months
Service Temp Range -40 to 80 °C
Freeze/Thaw Resistance Excellent
Dimensional Stability Good
Certifications Held
ICC-ES Report ESR-2464 (US)Intertek CCRR-0173 (Canada)CodeMark (similar products in Australia)GREENGUARD Gold (low emissions)Cradle to Cradle Certified BronzeWELL Building Standard compliantLiving Building Challenge Red List Free
Fire Code Compliance
AS 1530.3 - Fire testing (equivalent products)ASTM E84 - Class A rating availableFM 4880/4881 - Factory Mutual approved options
Standards Compliance
NCC Section C - Fire Resistance (with appropriate specification)NCC Section J - Energy EfficiencyAS 1170 - Structural design actionsASTM E84 - Surface burning characteristicsASTM E661 - Fall-through testingASTM E1886 - Hurricane testingASTM E283 - Air infiltrationISO 9001 - Quality managementISO 14001 - Environmental managementEN 13501-1 - Fire classificationEN 410 - Light transmission

DISCLAIMER: This specification document is generated from the CLAD Materials Atlas Database. Information is for general guidance only and does not constitute professional engineering advice. Values are typical and may vary by batch, manufacturer, and production run. Verify suitability for specific project applications independently.

ID: COM-PNL-INS-001 Schema: v3.0
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