Vitreous Enamel Panels

Product Description

Vitreous enamelled architectural panels consist of a practically indestructible glass coating fused under high temperatures to a metal surface.

Steel
Our panels consist of a flat or formed steel sheet.  Both faces of the steel are totally protected by vitreous enamel coating.  The steel sheet used is a specially cold rolled, decarbonised steel with typically a normal thickness of 1.6mm for most applications.  The steel provides strength and sag resisting properties during enamelling and the use of the panel.

Coating
The most significant ingredient of vitreous enamel coatings is the ‘frit’.  The frit is produced from alkali boro-silicate glass formed from raw materials such as borax, cobalt, nickel, titonia and many others.  The raw materials are mixed and smelted in a kiln for approximately 4 hours at 1200C and immediately cooled with cold water.  The rapid cooling results in the shattering of the molten mixture into small particles – the frit.  The frits are then milled in water with other materials including clay and colouring pigments to a cream like consistency.  The ‘slip’ is then wet sprayed directly onto the steel panels.  Vitreous enamel consists of a ground coat and a top coat.  Ground coats are applied to all sides of the steel panels.  The top coat is the final colour coat – some colours requires 2 top coats (e.g. Blue)

Backing
Most vitreous enamelled architectural panels are laminated with backing material for improved performance and flatness.  Backings are used for various purposes such as for acoustic performance, fire and thermal insulation and to provide a rigid backing to achieve maximum panel flatness.
The following are the most widely used types of vitreous enamel panel backings:

• Calcium Silicate board backing
• Hexagonal Cell ‘Honeycomb’ backing
• Fibreglass

Features and Benefits

Graffiti Resistance
Vitreous enamel panels have a non porous and solvent resistant surface making them ideal for use in public areas where unwanted graffiti, markers and spray paints can be easily removed.

Impact Resistance
The physical strength of the steel, coating and panel backing enable vitreous enamelled panels to withstand deformation and damage due to impact, chipping and surface damage.  This is provided they have been correctly designed, manufactured and installed.

Ultra Violet Light Resistance
Vitreous enamelled steel is completely resistant to ultra violet light and the original colours and surface finish will not deteriorate under continuos exposure to sunlight.

Thermal Shock Resistance
Vitreous enamelled steel will withstand rapid cooling by water spray from +400C to normal room temperatures over a 30 second period.

Safety
The resistance of vitreous enamelled steel to impact and distortion under extreme temperatures provide further significant safety advantages in applications such as tunnels and cladding in public areas.

Colour Range
The range of colours for vitreous enamel is virtually unlimited.  Existing colours can be matched which makes it ideal for refurbishment or replacement panels.

Appearance
Vitreous enamelled steel is sterile, germ free, odourless and easy to clean.  Combined with its other characteristics and a smooth colour fast surface, vitreous enamelled panels provide unmatched visual appearance.
Custom Designs

Vitreous enamelled panels can be made in various shapes, sizes and configurations.  Contact our Technical Advisory Service for further information.

Signage & Graphics
Logos, names and selected graphics can be fired onto the panels – these will have the same characteristics mentioned above and will maintain their appearance throughout their life.

Tough, Durable, Versatile
The performance characteristics of vitreous enamel result in a material that will not rust, is resistant to chemical attack, abrasion and fire as well as being more durable than any other architectural cladding material.  In addition its versatility enables custom designs of all shapes and dimensions, the use of graphics and logos as well of virtually unlimited colour range. Vitreous enamelled steel panels are extremely durable and need very little maintenance and cleaning.  They will retain their original colour throughout the normal expected life of a building.  Exposure to extreme weather conditions and coastal environments does not affect their performance or appearance.

Chemical Resistance
Vitreous enamelled steel is resistant to all organic solvents and has excellent resistance to atmospheric pollution, corrosion and degradation by the great majority of chemicals.  It will not rust and is 100% water resistant.

Abrasion Resistance
Vitreous enamelled steel is extremely abrasion resistant withstanding cleaning and most abrasive materials without affecting the coating.  It will meet scratch resistance to Moh Scale 6.

Fire Proof
Vitreous enamelled steel is totally incombustible, will neither ignite nor burn and will withstand temperatures of up to +400C. Architectural VE panels will, depending on the design and the nature of the backing materials, provide fire ratings of a min. of two hours.  Higher fire ratings can be achieved.

Performance Comparison

Product Applications

Vitreous enamelled architectural panels are routinely specified for commercial, institutional and infrastructure projects around the world. Providing unrivaled performance in the areas of impact resistance, colour fastness and durability, vitreous enamelled panels are regularly selected in high pedestrian traffic areas such as train stations, shopping malls and office foyers.

Installation Details

The architectural joint detail between adjacent enamelled panels determines the manner in which the panels are fixed to the substructure.  The choice of joint type depends on a number of factors such as proposed cladding application, Architectural requirements, maintenance and capital cost expectations.  The following is a summary description of the most widely used vitreous enamelled panel fixing details based on joint type. 

Silicone Joint
Generally used on external facades where water tightness is a major requirement.  The joints between the panels should be a minimum of 20mm wide with a panel depth of approximately 30mm.

Gasket Joint
Primarily for internal applications.  The gasket generally is made of neoprene because it is non-toxic and non-combustible.  It is necessary to ensure that the panels have small returns to avoid the gaskets being pushed into the void between the panel and walls. 

Open Joint
Primarily for internal applications. Generally the panels will be fixed using concealed brackets (unistruts).  The panels can be designed to be easily removable.  There is no gasket maintenance cost.  The horizontal joint is provided by the interlocking VE panels, the vertical joint is provided by the subframe. Joints are generally 10mm wide.