Tec-Form – an insight into its manufacture and environmental impact
What materials are Tec-Form Screed Rails made from?
The material we manufacture Tec-Form rails from is a Thermoplastic Polymer compound, where PVC constitutes a high percentage of the compound, but with certain “added Ingredients”, to strengthen and enhance the materials characteristics, the actual definitive formula, is of course a protected “Trade Secret”.
What is a “Thermoplastic Polymer Compound?
A thermoplastic, or thermosoftening- plastic, is a plastic polymer material that becomes pliable or mouldable at a certain elevated temperature and solidifies upon cooling. This type of material can be easily extruded, which is the method by which Tec-Form rails are manufactured.
Is the Tec-Form material suitable for use in all climates and environments?
The Tec-Form material has a temperature working range of – 40 Celcius up to +60 Celcius (140 Farenheit), before either fracture or heat distortion should occur, and will not change shape under normal weather conditions. However, in some extreme regions, directly exposed or wrongly stored products could approach or even exceed these temperatures – once the product is in use and encased in concrete, these figures would be greatly increased in both directions.
If it is suspected that the above temperature range could be exceeded, during either storage or installation, a higher operating temperature product can be supplied on request, this is simply achieved with the use of a “High Temperature Tolerant” version of the standard material normally used, during the manufacture of the rails (special order).
Are Tec-Form Screed Rails really as safe and beneficial environmentally to use as claimed?
The entire Tec-Form range of Screed Rails are manufactured exclusively from a 100% recycled Thermoplastic Polymer Compound material, all ingredients purchased are “certified as being purchased from reliable sources, and designated as being fully reclaimed and recycled”. Also at “end of life”, all of these materials are still completely recyclable – thereby providing minimal impact environmentally. The Tec-Form Screed Rail System is as benign and environmentally friendly as we could find.
Conclusion:
Innovative, Strong, Versatile, Unique, with excellent durable performance characteristics and benefits… – all of that, and kind to the planet…ethically and operationally, in our opinion there is simply no other choice.