Chapter 13: Glossary

G neri Akovali

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Ablative

Material that absorbs heat through pyrolysis at or near the exposed surface.

Accelerator

An active material that is suspended in a liquid carrier to produce heat to accelerate the cure of a liquid resin. Accelerators usually work in conjuction with an initiator.

Acetal resin

Linear, hard, tough synthetic resins produced by the polymerisation of formaldehyde (for acetal homopolymers) or of formaldehyde with trioxane (for acetal copolymers). Acetal resins are also called as polyacetals and are used as substitutes for metals.

Activator (see Accelerator )

Active envelope

Consists of two panes with a cavity in between, through which air flows. They are also known as double-skin facades, twin facades or second-skin facades. (See also Building envelope)

Adhesive

A liquid, film or paste applied to the mating surfaces to bond them together by surface attachment. They are substances capable of holding two or more surfaces together in a strong, often permanent bond, which may provide a specific function in themselves as well.

Addition polymer/(polymerisation)

Long chain molecules (polymers) formed (the chemical reaction to form polymers) between one or more different types of monomer units with unsaturation (double bonds).

Additives

A large number of different chemicals that are added to polymers to impart specific properties, such as flame retardancy and UV resistance.

Additive toxic effect

Where materials with similar toxicities produce a response equal to the sum of the effects produced by an individual material.

Aerogel

One of the strongest, lightest and yet...