As our name suggests, Africa Modular Building Solutions, provides the best solutions, for modular buildings - that’s why we use our unique industry leading manufacturing processes. Only the best quality polyurethane chemicals, high pressure injection moulding manufacturing technique, and top quality original chroma deck.
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In 2012 we invested in a Manni™ Polyurethane press from Italy. In conjunction with the PU press, a Cannon High Pressure mixing head and local manufactured roll forming and steel de-coiling machines where acquired. In mid 2013 the 7m “2+2 System” went online and production of rigid polyurethanestructural panels began.
It is with much appreciation that I am writing to recommend the services of AMBS. Jedd Civils have been using AMBS for the supplying of control rooms, site offices and facilities for the past five years. We work closely with various mining companies, which require high quality and performance. AMBS have always met these high standards, punctual performance and offer the most competitive rates. It is always a pleasure dealing with them are completely satisfied with their performance, and highly recommend them.
I confirm with extreme confidence the excellent service that AMBS provided during the erection of Mumi pre-fabricated laboratory in the DRC. The service we received from AMBS was very professional at all times. They always execute superior quality work.
It is with great pleasure that NuMeRI recommends African Modular Building Solutions for modular and prefabricated structures. African ModularBuilding Solution has exceeded our expectations, delivering on time and with exceptional quality. NuMeRI will continue to engage with African Modular Building Solutions for innovative designs unique to our requirements in the healthcare sphere.NuMeRI has no reservations in recommending African Modular Building Solutions.
Why Polyurethane when Polystyrene is cheaper? Polyurethane is more expensive than expanded polystyrene and so is its manufacturing process. This is why most suppliers in the panel industry use polystyrene, but, there are large differences between the 2 which must be taken into account.
Polyurethane (PU) is a much better thermal insulator than Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and has approximately 1.5 times more insulation resistance than EPS. For example, for our thinnest 40mm PU panel, you will need a 63mm EPS panel to achieve the same thermal insulation.
Water permeability is a major issue with all buildings and cold rooms. When water enters the panel, you can get rot or mildew and moisture seeping through the wall and creating damp. PU has an excellent permeability rating due to the closed-cell nature of the PU foam, with no voids between the cells. EPS has spaces between the cells through which moisture easily permeates through. Water in the wall panel also causes a dramatic loss of thermal insulation. Also, depending on how cold it gets, the moisture in the panel can freeze and expand which create structural problems, further reducing the useful life of the panel.
PU is a thermal-set material, so it will not melt in a fire, and will only char above 1,000 degrees C. EPS will soften at around 180 Degrees C and will melt at around 240 degrees C. This is why you can cut EPS with a hot wire, and that does not work with PU.
The density of a product will contribute to the strength. EPS has a density of 12-22 kg/ cbm and PU has a density of 36-40kg/cbm. PU is 3-4 times stronger than EPS.
PU is highly resistant to most counter chemicals. EPS reacts to most solvents and petroleum-based products.
Probably the biggest difference between PU and EPS is in the manufacturing process of the panels. As PU and EPS are used as panel cores, they need to be bonded to the steel. As PU is one of the best adhesives available, it forms a very strong bond to the panel skin. EPS needs to be bonded to the panel skin and this process often creates voids in the adhesion layer and results in delamination of the panel skin. This is one area where ‘you get what you pay for’ applies. We believe in delivering top quality for our clients and so we exclusively use high-grade PU and our high-pressure injection moulding technique. This way our products, if looked after correctly, can last a lifetime!
Expanded Polystyrene Sandwich Panels (EPS)
Polyurethane Sandwich Panels (PU)
Have a look at the key differences below and then decide which sandwich panel youwould want in your Prefabricated & Modular Building
When enquiring about Prefabricated or Modular buildings, many people only look at the issued architectural drawing and price of the building. The assumption is that all the suppliers offer the same thing, but, they do not. Not all Prefabricated & Modular Buildings are the same. One of the key components that differ is the panel type used for the walls and in some cases, the roof.
Two sandwichpanels widely used for Prefabricated & Modular Buildings in SouthAfrica and Sub-Saharan Africa are:
Expanded Polystyrene Sandwich Panels (EPS)
Polyurethane SandwichPanels (PU)
EPS Panel Specimen Adhesive Test
EPS sandwich panels consist primarily out of pre-cut polystyrene sheets glued between two galvanised steel sheets and fed through a roller press. This process is fairly cheap and can be done by hand.
EPS Panels come in various thicknesses and densities, primarily a thickness of 40mm and density of 15DV isused in SA. The 15DV density is an important factor, as this provides the building with its thermal properties. When compared to the density of a PU panel (discussed later) this is very low.
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Polyurethane Sandwich Panels are made by injectingPU Foam under high pressure in-between two galvanized steel sheets within aheated press. The foam is left to cool and set which in turn glues the twosheets together.
The PU Panels we use have a Core density of 40Kgper m³ which produces a strong panel and that has a much higher R Value thanthat of an EPS 16kgs/m3 Panel.
PU Panel Specimen Thumb Test
PU Panel Specimen Joining
PU Panel Specimen Adhesive Test
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The R-Value of EPS panels is far below that of PU panels, to such an extent that you would have to use an 80mm EPS panel just to compete with a 40mm PU panel if the supplier is using 15DV (Density Value). Therefore, EPS panel suppliers, should be offering a much higher polystyrene sheet density or use a much thicker panel than a 40mm in order to compare with the attributes of PU panels.
Although the tests done are rudimentary and not scientific, they certainly do show some of the key differences between using an EPS panels and PU panels for Prefabricated and Modular Buildings. In our opinion the PU panels are far more superior than the EPS panels in all aspects that was tested. This is why we only use PU panels for our Prefabricated & Modular Buildings at African Modular Building Solutions.
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I confirm with extreme confidence the excellent service that AMBS provided during the erection of Mumi pre-fabricated laboratory in the DRC. The service we received from AMBS wasvery professional at all times. They always execute superior quality work.
We have had exemplary service from AMBS and can gladly recommend them for any future projects.
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