NEW STEEL SANDWICH PANEL ESPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR HIGH-CLASS FACADES
24 June 2007 - ThyssenKrupp Steel

Hoesch Matrix is bi-modular, which means that both the sides and ends are formed to create a facade with a distinctive, absolutely even joint pattern in both vertical and horizontal directions.

Hoesch Matrix thus fulfils design standards which were previously the preserve of curtain wall solutions. Unlike curtain walls, Hoesch Matrix also meets insulation and fire protection requirements, as well as offering a high-quality appearance.

The new face of steel
ThyssenKrupp Hoesch Bausysteme has been making steel construction elements since 1968 and has made a name for itself as a supplier of high-quality roofing and siding products. Hoesch Matrix marks another step towards steel facades with top design quality. The key innovation: in addition to the tongue and groove joint along the sides, the ends of the Hoesch Matrix elements are formed so as to create the same 25 millimeter deep and 25 millimeter wide joint as on the sides. The result is a clearly and rhythmically structured facade for prestige buildings. Hoesch Matrix gives a new face to steel facades.

More and more architects are favoring this kind of facade structure and so far have had to rely on curtain wall construction. For this, the actual building shell has to be built first and the substructure for the curtain wall and an insulating layer installed on it. Favored materials include fiber cement, ceramic, zinc and copper. Such facades can be built much less expensively using Hoesch Matrix because the substructure for the sandwich elements can be installed directly on the building’s load-bearing frame. With Hoesch Matrix, thermal insulation is provided by a core of mineral wool, a Class A2 non-combustible material, bonded between the steel face sheets. Hoesch Matrix therefore combines all major facade functions in one element and thus ensures much shorter construction times. The panels are made in a continuous process and material costs are substantially lower compared with the materials commonly favored for curtain walls.

Tailored individuality
The one-meter-wide Hoesch Matrix panels are available in lengths of 1.5 to six meters and so offer a wide degree of design freedom as well as the possibility to plan cost-effectively with wide spans. The panels are fastened to a substructure on the building frame. The fixing points are located in the vertical joints and are not visible. The panels are available in thicknesses of 80, 100, 120 and 140 millimeters.

Hoesch Matrix facade elements develop their full design potential with a broad range of high-quality finishes which can be freely combined. Some recently developed examples include easy-to-clean lotus-effect coatings or shimmering pearl-effect paints which change shade depending on viewing angle. Also available is the high-quality color collection ReflectionsOne, which lets buildings blend intelligently and harmoniously with their surroundings. Recent additions to the range are the ReflectionsCinc and ReflectionsLume finishes, which imitate zinc spangles in different colors so as to reflect the natural structure of the steel. Further visual highlights can be achieved by the use of LED strips in the joints. Beneath the paint coating, the steel face sheets of the sandwich panels are coated with a zinc-aluminum alloy for perfect corrosion protection.

Complete system with comprehensive service ThyssenKrupp Hoesch Bausysteme supplies Hoesch Matrix as a ready-to-install system complete with doors and windows and all necessary connectors and end pieces. All components are precisely matched. The company supports Hoesch Matrix users in their building projects with a wide range of services extending from advice in every phase of development and support with tendering right through to installation by certified processing partners.

http://www.thyssenkrupp-steel.de

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