WHY VINYL? WHY MIKRONBLEND VINYL?

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1 WHY VINYL? WHY MIKRONBLEND VINYL?

2 OUR 14 TESTS PROVE IT. QUALITY VINYL MAKES QUALITY WINDOWS. MikronBlend even stands up to the toughest standards our own. Industry Standard AAMA * Tests Additional Quanex Tests AAMA-Quanex Heat Resistance Test The AAMA-Quanex Heat Resistance Test exposes vinyl profiles to extreme heat 300 F then we visually inspect for stress-related surface changes. AAMA-Quanex Weatherability Test The AAMA-Quanex Weatherability Test confirms the vinyl s performance (color change or retention, plus impact resistance) for various climates. AAMA-Quanex Dimensional Stability Test The AAMA-Quanex Dimensional Stability Test measures a profile s linear shrinkage at an elevated temperature. AAMA-Quanex Impact Resistance Test The AAMA-Quanex Impact Resistance Test measures profile resistance to cracking or breaking during the fabrication process. Despite rigorous testing, no brittle failures have been recorded. AAMA-Quanex Tensile Strength Test The AAMA-Quanex Tensile Strength Test pulls apart the vinyl sample to determine its strength. AAMA-Quanex Weight Tolerance Test The AAMA-Quanex Weight Tolerance Test checks that finished profiles conform to the original design s weight. AAMA-Quanex Corner Weld Test The AAMA-Quanex Corner Weld Test applies a weight load using no set limit to test the strength of the weld seam as compared to the body of the profile. Quanex Resin and Additives Test The Quanex Resin and Additives Test uses X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrophotometry to compare and verify the resins and additives to meet Quanex specifications. Quanex Compound Test The Quanex Compound Test uses a Torque Rheometer to further analyze samples of the compound for blending uniformity and consistency. Quanex Heat Absorption Test The Quanex Heat Absorption Test exposes vinyl to infrared radiation to determine how much radiant heat it can absorb and still remain stable. Quanex Accelerated Weathering Test The Quanex Accelerated Weathering Test uses extreme UV radiation and humidity levels to simulate destructive outdoor environments. Quanex Deflection Temperature Test The Quanex Deflection Temperature Test determines the temperature at which a profile of specific dimensions, under a specific load, will bend. Quanex Statistical Process Control Quanex SPC is a statistical database that collects data from each extruder to help detect tool wear, thus ensuring optimal extrusion quality. Quanex Desert Climate Test The Quanex Desert Climate Test facility exposes vinyl profiles and finished products to a harsh desert environment. *The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) establishes industry standards for strict performance criteria.

3 WHY VINYL? WHY MIKRONBLEND VINYL? Windows with vinyl frames are a smart choice when considering for either new construction or replacement applications. Unlike wood, vinyl windows and patio doors will never rot, swell, split or require painting. Compared to aluminum, vinyl won t corrode or pit, while providing much better thermal insulating properties. Vinyl is virtually maintenance-free just an occasional washing with mild soap will keep vinyl windows and patio doors looking new for years. And they ll open and close easily for optimum performance with minimum effort. To better understand how vinyl provides all of these benefits, especially when constantly exposed to the sun and temperature extremes, one must understand that not all vinyl is created equal. A higher quality vinyl formulation ensures longer life windows and patio doors. Today s vinyl compound used for window and door frames is really a recipe a carefully blended mix of resin and additives that, when compounded at optimal levels, ensures a long life in the harshest environments. PVC resin is the recipe s staple component. What is added to that resin truly differentiates long-lived windows from early failures. Ingredients such as titanium dioxide and calcium carbonate mixed at optimal levels provide UV exposure protection in the most intense, hot climates. Stabilizers inhibit degradation in the extrusion process, while aiding to prevent vinyl discoloration over time. Impact modifiers, in the right mix and proportion provide impact stability protection from cracking or shattering even through extreme temperature swings. Plus a host of other additives that allow the vinyl to flow better when extruded to provide the smoothest possible end finish. Are there ways to cut corners and reduce material costs in this blending process? You bet. And often, the lesser quality blends look just the same as an optimal vinyl blend when viewing new windows side-by-side. Not too many years later, after several seasons of sun and seasonal weather extremes, the truth comes out and then it s too late. Premature vinyl failure due to shortcuts taken in the blending process comes back to bite the unsuspecting. MikronBlend is formulated and time-tested in the field for the long haul. It s blended to withstand the toughest conditions and standards, including our own warranty the best in the industry. MikronBlend is tested tough and world proven. It stands up to our trade industry test standards, and then has to withstand our additional stringent testing protocol to make the grade. MikronBlend is about peace-of-mind that your vinyl windows and patio doors will perform year after year without undue risk of failure in any climate, anywhere. Is it worth the risk to provide anything less? MikronBlend Failed Vinyl Did not pass AAMA Standard for color change in accelerated weathering test.

4 PVC (RIGID POLYVINYL CHLORIDE) COMPOUND FOR WINDOWS AND DOORS MikronBlend is created through a state-of-the-art computerized blending and compounding station. This process results in several benefits for our vinyl extrusions. RESIN STABILIZERS Benefits: Inhibit resin degradation caused by heat buildup during compounding and extrusion which prevents discoloring during the life of the vinyl. IMPACT MODIFIERS Benefits: Used in rigid compounds to provide impact stability and cracking or shattering resistance during fabrication processing of the finished extrusion. CALCIUM CARBONATE Benefits: A filler to build up substance and mass. LUBRICANTS Benefits: Facilitate flow of compound through the processing equipment. Specifically eliminate drag or sticking along the metal surfaces of dies and calibrators. PROCESSING AIDS Benefits: Provide a free, uniform flow of the compound in the extruder to achieve a smooth finish. CO-STABILIZERS PIGMENTS TITANIUM DIOXIDE Benefits: Color, plus UV stabilizing agent. Note: 1. This is intended only to illustrate generic formulations plus the benefits or purposes of additive ingredients. 2. Compounding formulations usually follow the discretion of the extruder, end product application, weatherization exposure and/ or required industry standards or specifications. FINISHED COMPOUND (POWDER) TWIN SCREW EXTRUDER HIGH MOLECULAR PROCESS AIDS LOW MOLECULAR PROCESS AIDS Engineered to be extremely consistent - batch after batch. Optimal ductile properties for best fabrication results.

5 PROVEN FIELD TEST PERFORMANCE You ll find windows with Quanex extrusions, featuring MikronBlend vinyl, in the harshest field test environments: the hot and dry Arizona desert, Florida heat and humidity, and Mid-West weather and temperature extremes. Our test homes orient windows toward intense southern exposure, providing our vinyl with years of practical field exposure to confront MikronBlend toughest judge Mother Nature and prove that we surpass strict industry measures for color fastness and UV degradation. In the end, vinyl windows featuring MikronBlend vinyl won t chalk or appreciably fade, even after years of weather and sun exposure. Industry standards prescribe ASTM test procedures that verify MikronBlend Delta-E performance all backed by our industry-leading warranty. COMPETITION MIKRONBLEND SMOOTHER IS BETTER Smoother vinyl frame surfaces don t happen by chance. First, we enhance MikronBlend vinyl compound with optimal ingredient blends, including lubricants and processing aids to ensure a free, uniform material flow through the extrusion process. Second, we use proprietary extrusion tooling with optimal finish surface treatment to yield distortion-free vinyl profiles. Images compare competitor s extrusion surface to Quanex extrusion at 60X enlargement. The final result a smooth, semi-gloss extrusion finish that won t readily collect dirt, grime and pollution that looks great for years to come. NO VOC EMISSIONS Quanex vinyl extrusions, featuring MikronBlend vinyl, emit no VOC (volatile organic compounds) emissions. Recent independent lab tests verify this important health and environmental test result. Our VOC Emission Factors test report summary is available on request. SUPERIOR UV AND HEAT BUILD-UP PERFORMANCE MikronBlend formulates optimal blending additives to better handle more infrared-intense, hot climates. MikronBlend vinyl also extrudes with greater material opacity, further reducing harmful UV light penetration. Further, MikronBlend is carefully engineered to work seamlessly together with our color coat technologies SuperCapSR to enhance color fastness, while greatly minimizing vinyl frame distortion risk due to heat build-up.

6 STRONGEST WARRANTY IN THE INDUSTRY Quanex extends to its manufacturers a 20-year warranty that MikronBlend extrusions will be free from manufacturing defects under normal use and service conditions. In addition, we ll also help cover labor and incidental material costs associated with removal and replacement of a defective window unit. Now that s peace-of-mind. Please refer to our warranty for complete details. WITHSTAND TOUGH FLORIDA STANDARDS MikronBlend vinyl is proven to meet or exceed tough Miami/Dade County coastal hurricane windborne debris impact requirements and codes. Rigorous testing verifies passing performance achievements, including smoke release standards if exposed to fire. PROTECTS against harmful ultraviolet light by being more opaque. SPECIALLY formulated blend with optimal calcium carbonate and titanium dioxide levels, to handle more infrared intense, hot climates. Quanex PVC is more opaque and allows less harmful ultraviolet light penetration. Other PVC allows too much harmful ultraviolet light to penetrate. PROVEN to meet coastal hurricane impact requirements and codes. Rigorously tested and meets or exceeds all wind-borne debris impact standards. TESTED with over 35 years of refinement, we accelerate weather tests to ensure that your products perform and your reputation lasts. Vinyl windows are one component that can help you meet ENERGY STAR program U-factor requirements for all North American climate zones. Copyright 2009 Quanex Building Products Rev 08/2016 MikronBlend is a registered trademarks of Quanex Building Products ENERGY STAR is a registered trademark of the Environmental Protection Agency