Construction World June 2017

PRODUCTS & SERVICES

CERAMIC PANELS bonded to office block façade

a.b.e. – part of the Chryso Southern Africa Group – is the South African distributor of the globally-acclaimed Dow Corning range of structural glazing sealants produced in Belgium. 4 Stan Road is a recently completed ‘boutique office’ development in the heart of Sandton. Grant Batty, National Sales & Segment Manager: Silicones & Adhesives for a.b.e., says the composite 1,2 m by 2 m Laminam ceramic panels used to clad a 700 m 2 section of the façade of the building were bonded with Dow Corning 896 Panel Fix. “This revolutionary adhesive is a one-part, neutral curing alkoxy silicone sealant designed for non-glazed façade applications to structurally bond two substrates together – and was ideal for this project,” Batty states. a.b.e.-approved applicator, Rudolph & Van Vuuren, supplied the imported 3 mm thick Laminam ceramic panels and bonded the A new Dow Corning adhesive for non-glazed façade cladding was provided by a.b.e. Construction Chemicals for the extensive panel bonding required for the façade of the upmarket 4 Stan Road office block development in Sandton.

panels to aluminium frames which were then fixed to the façade’s concrete substrate. The tiling contractors have more than two decades of experience in the tiling industry and have handled major contracts at, for example, Sandton City, Monte Casino and Melrose Arch. Grant Batty says the cost-effective Dow Corning 896 Panel Fix sealant system not only simplifies panel tiling but also substantially expands cladding design possibilities, while maintaining safety and control. “The elastic adhesive is specifically designed for non-glazed panel applications that require high durability and fast handling. a.b.e. previously supplied the same system for the façade cladding of the 30 Jellicoe Avenue office block in Rosebank for which Rudolph & Van Vuuren factory-produced and installed aluminium- framed ceramic panels. Batty says some of the new Dow Corning 896 Panel Fix system’s benefits are: • Excellent adhesive properties to a variety of substrates such as mineral, ceramic, and mill finished aluminum; • Immediate high tack upon application; • High strength when fully cured; • Ease of application; • One-part, moisture cure, neutral, low-odour formulation;

• Suitable for indoor and outdoor applications; and • Low squeeze-out that prevents excess wastage.

“The new Dow Corning 896 Panel Fix System eliminates the need for mechanical fasteners which means that unsightly connection and fixing points are totally hidden. Designers and developers can therefore select lighter, less expensive cladding options. Applicators, on the other hand, appreciate the sealant’s time-saving features such as easy extrusion, and excellent compression resistance, as well as the dead load support provided by its instant strength. “Bonding can be applied either in the factory or on- site. During on-site bonding, Dow Corning 896 Panel Fix system, and its 3,2 mm thick glazing tape, enable direct application of façade panels to the sub-frame without the need for temporary retainers,” Batty explains. The new system’s silicone technology also provides safety and durability through improved fire resistance compared with organics, excellent weathering, resistance to UV radiation and ozone attack, as well as temperature extremes. For additional peace of mind, the Dow Corning 896 Panel Fix System is available through the Dow Corning Quality Bond programme which combines state-of-the- art products, top quality standards, and application by Quality Bond members – such as Rudolph and Van Vuuren - who benefit from specialised technical support, including joint calculation assistance, adhesion testing, application training and regular quality control visits by a.b.e. Construction Chemicals technical staff. The main contractor for the R79-million 4 Stan Road project was Tiber and the architects, MDS Architecture. A total of about 5 400 m 2 premium grade office space is provided in the new eight storey building which has achieved both four-star Green Star SA Design and As- Built certifications from the Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA). 

A new Dow Corning adhesive for non- glazed façade cladding was provided by a.b.e. Construction Chemicals for the panel bonding for the 4 Stan Road office block development in Sandton.

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CONSTRUCTION WORLD JUNE 2017