paraglas soundstop - Armtec

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP ® 

NOISE BARRIER SHEET 

PARA ARA ARA ARAGLAS ARA GLAS SOUNDST SOUNDSTOP 

SOUNDST OP 

sheet sheet products 

Extremely resistant to weathering 

Retains clarity outdoors 

Maintenance free 

Superior light transmission 

Ultralight - minimal deadload on structure 

Highly resistant to wind loads 

Simple to install 

Compatible with other sound wall materials 

Easy to form and fabricate 

Aesthetically appealing 

OP ® 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP ® Noise Barrier Sheet used in DURISOL ® sound absorptive wall. 

Meets the requirements of 

ZTV-Lsw88 (German), EN 1793 and EN 

1794 (European) technical regulations on 

the design and construction of noise barriers 

and applicable AASHTO guidelines

TRANSPARENT NOISE BARRIERS 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP ® Noise Barrier Sheet 

products have been successfully used in 

transparent noise barriers along roads and 

railroads around the world for almost 30 years. 

Easy to form and fabricate, PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP sheet is extremely resistant to 

weathering from UV exposure and retains clarity 

and strength for many years. 

Colors 

All PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet grades are available 

in the following standard colors. The color impression remains 

the same in different thicknesses. Other colors can be 

manufactured on request. 

Transparent - Colorless and Colors: 

Shades of blue - Midnight Blue, Steel Blue, Sky Blue 

Shades of green - Forest Green, Sea Green, Spring Green 

Shades of brown - Smoky Brown 

Translucent - Colorless 

Product Overview 

Available in two grades: 


is a standard, lightweight noise barrier. 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP ® GS CC Noise Barrier Sheet 

incorporates polyamide filaments and is typically used on bridges 

and overpasses. In the event of impact by a car or truck, the 

imbedded filaments will hold the broken sheet, preventing 

fragments from falling below. Because the GS CC grade is 

self-containing safety netting is not necessary. 

Gaskets 

We offer EPDM gaskets compatible with our material 

for installing PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet. 

Service 

Cut-to-size sheets 

Surface-treated sheets (e.g., with matte stripes) 

Sheets that can be line-bent and/or thermoformed 

Hands-on technical support 

Grade Thickness (mm) Sheet Size (mm) Other Remarks 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet 15, 20, 25 2000 mm wide 

up to 6000 mm 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP GS CC sheet 15, 20, 25 2500 X 2000 

3000 X 2000 

4200 X 2000 

5000 X 2000 

Exclusive North American Distributor 

For Sales and Technical Information Contact: 

Durisol USA, Inc. 

8270 Greensboro Drive, Suite 810 

McLean, VA, USA 22102 

Phone: (866) 801-0999 

Fax: (877) 268-8813 

Durisol Inc. 

67 Frid Street 

Hamilton, ON, Canada L8P 4M3 

Phone: (905) 521-0999 

Fax: (905) 521-8658 

www.durisol.com 

Larger sheet sizes 

available on request. 

Incorporated fragment-retaining, 

polyamide filaments run vertically 

or horizontally. 

Black or clear threads available on request. 

Non-standard sizes available on request. 

Manufactured by: 

Degussa/CYRO 

379 Interpace Parkway 

Parsippany, NJ 07054 

1.800.631.5384 

paraglas@degussa.com 

CYRO Industries is a wholly-owned 

subsidiary of Degussa. 

PARAGLAS Soundstop® is a registered 

trademark of CYRO Industries.

T E C H N I C A L D A T A 



PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP ® Noise Barrier Sheet is used as transparent noise 

barrier material along roads and railroads. Easy to install, form and fabricate, PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet 

is extremely resistant to weathering from UV exposure and retains a high transparency for many years providing 

architecturally appealing structures. 

The product is available in two grades: 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet is a standard clear transparent sheet. 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP GS CC sheet incorporates polyamide filaments and is typically used on bridges and 

overpasses. In the event of impact by a car or truck, 

the imbedded filaments will hold the broken sheet, preventing pieces from falling below. 

Physical Properties PARAGLAS PARAGLAS 

Test SOUNDSTOP SOUNDSTOP GS CC 

Property Method sheet (a) sheet (b) 

Mechanical 

Specific Gravity ASTM D-792 1.19 1.19 

Tensile Strength ASTM D-638 10,000 psi (69 MPa) 10,000 psi (69 MPa) 

Elongation at Break (%) 4.5 4.8 

Modulus of Elasticity 400,000 psi (2800 MPa) 400,000 psi (2800 MPa) 

Flexural Strength ASTM D-790 17,000 psi (117 MPa) 16,500 psi (114 MPa) 

Modulus of Elasticity 480,000 psi (3300 MPa) 475,000 psi (3300 MPa) 

Compressive Strength (Yield) ASTM D-695 17,000 psi (117 MPa) 18,000 psi (124 MPa) 

Resistance Against Stone Projectiles (15 mm thickness) EN 1794-1 Pass Pass 

Unnotched Charpy Impact ASTM D-4812 6.5 ft-lbs/in 2 6.5 ft-lbs/in 2 

Weathered 5 years AZ 6.5 ft-lbs/in 2 6.5 ft-lbs/in 2 

-5°F 6.5 ft-lbs/in 2 6.5 ft-lbs/in 2 

Optical (Colorless) 

Refractive Index ASTM D-542 1.49 1.49 

Light Transmission, Total ASTM D-1003 92% 92% 

Weathered 5 years AZ 92% 92% 

Haze ASTM D-1003 1% 1% 

Weathered 5 years AZ 1.5% 1.5% 

Yellowness Index ASTM E-313 < 1 < 1 

Weathered 5 years AZ 1.5 1.5 

Thermal Properties 

Resistance to Brushfire (15 mm thickness) EN 1794-2 Class 2 Class 2 

Deflection Temperature under load, 264 psi ASTM D-648 195 °F (91°C) 210 °F (99 °C) 

Co-efficient of Linear Expansion ASTM D-696 0.000040 in/in/ °F 0.000040 in/in/ °F 

(0.072 mm/m °C) (0.072 mm/m °C) 

Vicat Softening Temperature ASTM D-1525 220 °F (105 °C) 239 °F (115 °C) 

Flammability, Burning Rate (15 mm thickness) ASTM D-635 0.6 in/min (14 mm/min) 0.8 in/min (20 mm/min) 

Self Ignition Temperature ASTM D-1929 850°F (455°C) 910°F (490°C) 

Smoke Density Rating (15 mm thickness) ASTM D- 2843 20% 20% 

Service Temperature >160 °F (71 °C) >180 °F (82 °C) 

Sound Transmission Loss ASTM E-90 15 mm 32 dB 15 mm 32 dB 

20 mm 34 dB 20 mm 34 dB 

25 mm 36 dB 25 mm 36 dB 

Weight per Square Foot 15 mm Thickness 3.66 lb/ft 2 (17.9 Kg/m 2 ) 3.66 lb/ft 2 (17.9 Kg/m 2 ) 

20 mm Thickness 4.86 lb/ft 2 (23.8 Kg/m 2 ) 4.86 lb/ft 2 (23.8 Kg/m 2 ) 

25 mm Thickness 6.1 lb/ft 2 (29.8 Kg/m 2 ) 6.1 lb/ft 2 (29.8 Kg/m 2 ) 

(a) Typical values: should not be used for specification purposes. 

(b) Values shown are for 0.250" (6 mm) thickness unless noted otherwise. 

Some values will change with thickness.

Chemical Resistance of PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP ® Noise Barrier Sheet 

The table below gives an indication of the chemical 

resistance of PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet and 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP GS CC sheet. Plastic 

materials can be attacked by chemicals in several 

ways. The methods of fabrication and/or conditions of 

exposure of PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet, as well 

as the manner in which the chemicals are applied, can 

influence the final results even for “R” coded chemicals. 

Some of these factors include: 

Fabrication - stress generated while sawing, sanding, 

machining, drilling, and/or forming. 

Exposure - length of exposure, stresses induced 

during the life of the product due to various loads, 

changes in temperatures, etc. 

Application of Chemicals - by contact, rubbing, 

wiping, spraying, etc. 

Chemicals Code 

Acetone N 

Ammonium Chloride R 

Ammonium Hydroxide (Conc.) R 

Aromatic Based Graffiti Removers N 

Battery Acid R 

Benzene N 

Butyl Acetate N 

Calcium Chloride (100%) R 

Calcium Hypochlorite R 

Calcium / Magnesium Acetate R 

Citric acid (20%) R 

CMAK (Potassium Acetate/Calcium Magnesium acetate) R 

Diesel Oil R 

Ethyl Alcohol (30%) LR 

Ethyl Alcohol (95%) N 

Ethylene Glycol R 

Gasoline LR 

Heptane R 






Phone: (866) 801-0999 

Fax: (877) 268-8813 


The table should be used as only a general guide 

and, in case of doubt, it should be supplemented 

by tests made under actual working conditions. 

The codes used to describe chemical resistance are 

as follow: 

R = Resistant PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet 

withstands this substance for long periods and at 

temperatures up to 120°F (49°C). 

LR = Limited Resistance PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP 

sheet only resists the action of this substances for 

short periods at room temperatures. The resistance for 

a particular application must be determined. 

N = Not Resistant PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet 

is not resistant to this substance. It is either swelled, 

attacked, dissolved or damaged in some manner. 

Chemicals Code 

Hexane R 

Hydrochloric Acid R 

Ice Ban® Ultra TM M R 

Isopropyl Alcohol LR 

Kerosene R 

Lacquer Thinner N 

Magnesium Chloride R 

Methyl Alcohol (30%) LR 

Methyl Alcohol (100%) N 

Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) N 

Methylene Chloride N 

Potassium Acetate R 

Sodium Acetate R 

Sulphuric Acid (3%) R 

Sulphuric Acid (30%) R 

Sulphuric Acid (Conc.) N 

Toluene N 

Durisol Inc. 



Phone: (905) 521-0999 

Fax: (905) 521-8658 


Degussa/CYRO 



1.800.631.5384 


CYRO Industries is a 

wholly-owned subsidiary 

of Degussa. 

PARAGLAS Soundstop® 

is a registered trademark 

of CYRO Industries.



Handling & Maintenance 

This brief gives advice for: 

� Storage 

� Removing Masking 

� Cleaning 

� Removing Scratches 

� Graffiti Removal 

� Equipment and Materials Suppliers 

� Additional Technical Information and 

Assistance 

Storage 


is shipped on pallets packaged in polyethylene film 

overwrap that protects the sheet from dirt and moisture. 

The overwrap should be left intact during storage to 

protect the sheet. Pallets can be stacked to maximize 

storage space. If various sizes are stacked horizontally, 

the larger sheets should be at the bottom to avoid 

unsupported overhang. 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet is supplied with a 

protective polyethylene masking on both surfaces. The 

masked sheet must NOT be stored in direct sunlight for 

prolonged periods of time. Prolonged exposure to direct 

sunlight may make the masking brittle which can cause 

the masking to tear upon removal. 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet should not be stored 

near radiators or steam pipes or other heat sources, 

as excessive heat tends to soften and deform acrylic 

sheet. Do not store sheets near or expose them to 

solvent vapors that may penetrate the masking and 

damage the sheet surface. 

T E C H B R I E F 

—— 1 of 4 —— 

Removing Masking 

The sheet masking should be left in place during most 

cutting operations and installation to protect the sheet 

surface. During installation roll back masking from the 

sheet edge to avoid engagement in glazing channels. 

Do not use gasoline or sharp-edged objects such 

as razor blades to remove masking that is stuck to 

the sheet too firmly. 

Cleaning 

As a result of the production process, acrylic has a 

smooth, non-porous surface that is retained even after 

long-term outdoor exposure. Dirt will not readily adhere 

to this polished surface, as a result, rain or the dew that 

frequently forms at night, will rinse the sheet clean. 

In most cases, PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet needs 

no additional cleaning. Should special circumstances 

make it desirable to clean the sheet, cleaning is best 

accomplished with water using a high-pressure washer. 

Grease, oil or tar may be removed with a good grade 

of hexane, aliphatic naphtha, or kerosene. These 

solvents may be obtained at a paint or hardware store 

and should be used in accordance with manufacturer’s 

recommendations. 

WARNING 

DO NOT USE: window cleaning sprays, kitchen 

scouring compounds or solvents such as acetone, 

gasoline, benzene, alcohol, carbon tetrachloride, 

or lacquer thinner. These can permanently damage 

the sheet’s surface and/or weaken the sheet 

causing small surface cracks called, “crazing”.

Removing Scratches 

Fine scratches can be removed by hand polishing. Apply 

a plastic scratch remover to a soft flannel pad and 

rub. When the scratches have disappeared, remove 

all residue and polish. For deeper scratches, first wet 

sand lightly with 400 grit “wet or dry” sandpaper, using 

plenty of water and rinsing the sandpaper frequently. 

Follow by buffing with a clean muslin wheel and a good 

polishing compound. For the highest gloss, use a 

clean-up wheel made of soft cotton or flannel sections 

on which no compound is used. An electric drill with a 

buffing wheel is ideal. 

Graffiti Removal 

Graffiti can be removed from PARAGLAS SOUND- 

STOP sheet using a graffiti remover designed for use 

on plastics. It is important to use a recommended graffiti 

remover as many traditional graffiti removers contain 

aromatic solvents that may damage PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP sheet. When using any graffiti remover it 

is important to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations 

and rinse thoroughly with clean water. 

1. Start of Test 2. 10 Minutes after Remover is Applied 

—— 2 of 4 —— 

To remove the graffiti, spray the remover on the 

surface to be cleaned. Allow the remover to soak for 

2 to 30 minutes, depending on the manufacturer’s 

recommendation, and rinse off with water. Highpressure 

water is recommended for the rinse and will 

speed the process. In some cases, such as when the 

temperature is below 55°F, a second application or 

agitation of the graffiti with a clean soft cloth may be 

required to remove all of the graffiti. 

Below are pictures of PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet 

that were defaced or “tagged” with a solvent- based 

acrylic modified resin spray paint and then cleaned with 

Disappear TM graffiti remover. For this test, the remover 

was sprayed on the graffiti and allowed to soak for 15 

minutes. Then it was removed with a 2300-psi pressure 

wash. The paint was allowed to dry for 25 days prior to 

removal under this procedure.

3. Close-up of Graffiti 

Equipment and Materials Suppliers 

The suppliers listed below offer materials and equipment suitable for use with PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet. 

Graffiti Removers 

Disappear TM Graffiti / Adhesive Remover 

ND Expressions Graffiti Remover 

New Dimensions Solutions, LLC 

2151 Irving Street, Suite 202 

San Francisco, CA 94122 

www.ndclean.com 

Anti-Static Cleaners and Polishes 

210 Plastic Cleaner & Polish and 210 Plus Cleaner 

Sumner Laboratories 

186 Lincoln Street 

Boston, MA 02111 

617-542-8656 

Fax: 617-482-9001 

20/20 Plastic-Cleaner 

Craftics, Inc. 

2701 N. Pulaski 

Chicago, IL 60639 

773-235-3307 

Fax: 773-235-7204 

Crystalclean 

Discovery Plastics 

3700 Western Way, NE 

Millersburg, OR 97231 

541-926-2900 

Fax: 541-967-8441 

www.discoveryplastics.com 

—— 3 of 4 —— 

4. After Water Rinse with 2300-psi Pressure-Wash 

GRAFFI-GO II TM 

J&R Industries, Inc. 

800 E. Anaheim Street 

Wilmington, CA 90744 

www.jandrindustries.com 

Plexus Plastic Center 

Plexus 

638 Lindero Canyon Rd. #371 

Agoura, CA 91301 

800-405-6495 

Fax: 818-879-0697 

Scotch-Brite High Performance Cloth 

3M Stationery & Office Supplies Div. 

3M Center 

St. Paul, MN 55144-1000 

877-362-5684 

Fax: 651-733-0382 

www.mmm.com

Fire Precautions 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet is a combustible thermoplastic. Precautions should 

be taken to protect this material from flames and high heat sources. PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP sheet usually burns rapidly to completion if not extinguished. The 

products of combustion, if sufficient air is present are carbon dioxide and water. 

However, in many fires sufficient air will not be available and toxic carbon monoxide 

will be formed, as it will when other common combustible materials are burned. We 

urge good judgement in the use of this versatile material and recommend that building 

codes be followed carefully to assure it is used properly. 

Compatibility 

Like other plastic materials, PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet is subject to crazing, 

cracking or discoloration if brought into contact with incompatible materials. These 

materials may include cleaners, polishes, adhesives, sealants, gasketing or 

packaging materials, cutting emulsions, etc. 

Important Notice: 

The information and statements herein are believed to be reliable but are not to be 

construed as a warranty or representation for which we assume legal responsibility. 

Users should undertake sufficient verification and testing to determine the suitability 

for their own particular purpose of any information or products referred to herein. 

NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS MADE. Nothing 

herein is to be taken as permission, inducement or recommendation to practice any 

patented invention without a license. 






Phone: (866) 801-0999 

Fax: (877) 268-8813 


Durisol Inc. 



Phone: (905) 521-0999 

Fax: (905) 521-8658 

—— 4 of 4 —— 


Degussa/CYRO 



1.800.631.5384 




of Degussa. 



of CYRO Industries.



Flammability 

This Technical Bulletin contains a description and results of a test method used for evaluating 

the resistance of PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP ® Noise Barrier Sheet to a fire arising from dry 

vegetation or other material in close proximity to a sound wall. This test was designed to 

simulate small brush fire exposure1 . It is equivalent to the fire test used in the European 

Standard EN 1794-2, Resistance Against Fire in the Case of Low Fire Load which has been 

in use for many years to evaluate the suitability of materials as road side noise barriers. 

Fire Test 

Two PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet panels 1.5 

meters by 2 meters by 15 mm thick were exposed to a 

localized fire at their base, both at the front and back of 

the sheet. The fire sources consisted of wire baskets 

that each contained 600 grams of spruce shavings, 0.2 

mm thick by 2 mm wide and approximately 50 mm long. 

The test was conducted with the panels in the vertical 

position. 

1. Test Setup 

Both of the fire sources were lit simultaneously 

and allowed to burn to completion. 


—— 1 of 2 —— 

2. Burning of Spruce Shavings 

After the fires burned to completion, brown discoloration 

and minor blistering can be seen on the PARAG- 

LAS SOUNDSTOP sheet panels. However, the static 

and acoustic functionality of the test barrier was not 

affected by the exposure to fire. No holes or cracks 

developed during the test. 

One hour after the burning down of the first two baskets, 

two more baskets of wood shavings were placed 

on the opposite side of the panels and ignited. Again, 

only minor discoloration of the panels was noted at the 

completion of the test.

—— 2 of 2 —— 

3. PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP 

Sheet after Completion of Fire Test 

Based on the results of this test, PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP sheet is not expected to assist 

the spread of fire from modest amounts 

of dry vegetation or other brush material in 

close proximity to the sound wall. 

1. This test is a simulated fire exposure intended to demonstrate the behavior of PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet in a 

specific situation. Actual results may vary due to circumstances outside the conditions of this test. 


PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet is a combustible thermoplastic. Precautions should be taken to protect 

this material from flames and high heat sources. PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet usually burns rapidly to completion 

if not extinguished. The products of combustion, if sufficient air is present are carbon dioxide and water. However, 

in many fires sufficient air will not be available and toxic carbon monoxide will be formed, 

as it will when other common combustible materials are burned. We urge good judgement in the use of this versatile 

material and recommend that building codes be followed carefully to assure it is used properly. 

Compatibility 

Like other plastic materials, PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet is subject to crazing, cracking or discoloration if 

brought into contact with incompatible materials. These materials may include cleaners, polishes, adhesives, 

sealants, gasketing or packaging materials, cutting emulsions, etc. 


The information and statements herein are believed to be reliable but are not to be construed as a warranty or 

representation for which we assume legal responsibility. Users should undertake sufficient verification and testing 

to determine the suitability for their own particular purpose of any information or products referred to herein. NO 

WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS MADE. Nothing herein is to be taken as permission, 

inducement or recommendation to practice any patented invention without a license. 






Phone: (866) 801-0999 

Fax: (877) 268-8813 


Durisol Inc. 



Phone: (905) 521-0999 

Fax: (905) 521-8658 


Degussa/CYRO 



1.800.631.5384 




of Degussa. 



of CYRO Industries.



Impact Resistance 

Sound barriers are often subjected to impacts caused by stones or other debris thrown up by vehicle 

tires. Therefore, it is important to construct a noise barrier from materials able to withstand these impact 

forces. The following test method is used to evaluate the resistance of PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP ® Noise 

Barrier Sheet to impacts and is technically equivalent to the European standard EN 1794-1, Appendix C, 

Resistance against Damage by Stone Projectiles. 

Test Method 

Testing with a mechanical hammer is used to 

simulate the stone impacts. Three hammer 

strikes at 30 Nm ± 1 Nm (22 ft-lbs) are performed 

which are roughly equivalent to a 77 

gram (0.17 lb) object traveling at 100 km/hr (60 

mph). One of the test strikes must be near one 

corner of the test panel within a test area bounded 

by a margin of 125 mm (5”) from the edge of 

the panel, one must be near the center of the 

test panel and the third is chosen at random. 

The exact position of the point to be tested must 

be chosen to be representative of the panel as a 

whole and avoid places of local strength. 

Test Results 

Three points of impact were marked on the panel 

of PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet. Point 1, 

is a corner point with a distance of 125 mm (5”) 

from the upper edge and 125 mm (5”) from the 

side edge. Point 2, is at the center of the sheet 

and point 3 was chosen at random. 


—— 1 of 2 —— 

1. Edge Impact with Concrete Testing Hammer

—— 2 of 2 —— 

2. Center Impact with 

Concrete Testing Hammer 

At the conclusion of the test there was 

no evidence of penetration, destruction, 

formation of cracks or chipping on 

the PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP Sheet 

panels. 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet 

meets the requirements of EN 1794-1, 

Appendix C, Resistance Against 

Damage by Stone Projectiles. 



this material from flames and high heat sources. PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet usually burns rapidly to completion 

if not extinguished. The products of combustion, if sufficient air is present are carbon dioxide and water. However, 

in many fires sufficient air will not be available and toxic carbon monoxide will be formed, 

as it will when other common combustible materials are burned. We urge good judgement in the use of this versatile 

material and recommend that building codes be followed carefully to assure it is used properly. 

Compatibility 

Like other plastic materials, PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet is subject to crazing, cracking or discoloration if 

brought into contact with incompatible materials. These materials may include cleaners, polishes, adhesives, 



The information and statements herein are believed to be reliable but are not to be construed as a warranty or 

representation for which we assume legal responsibility. Users should undertake sufficient verification and testing to 

determine the suitability for their own particular purpose of any information or products referred to herein. NO WAR- 

RANTY OF FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS MADE. Nothing herein is to be taken as permission, inducement 

or recommendation to practice any patented invention without a license. 






Phone: (866) 801-0999 

Fax: (877) 268-8813 


Durisol Inc. 



Phone: (905) 521-0999 

Fax: (905) 521-8658 


Degussa/CYRO 



1.800.631.5384 




of Degussa. 



of CYRO Industries.




Roadway Glare & Reflection 

Technical Brief Overview 

The purpose of this Technical Brief is to discuss reflective glare relative 

to PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP ® noise barrier sheet panels and offer explanation 

as to why it has not been a significant deterrent for the driving public. 

The Technical Brief will expand on three characteristic facts: 

1. Most reflections are above the line of sight. 

2. Intensity of light diminishes sharply as distance increases. 

3. PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet reflects only a portion of the light 

that is projected against its surface. 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet is a lightweight sound insulating panel that features outstanding 

optical clarity, long-term weatherability, and excellent impact resistance. A common misconception 

associated with transparent PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sound walls is the potential for glare due 

to the headlights of oncoming vehicular traffic. For many years, transparent PARAGLAS SOUND- 

STOP sound walls have been installed along highways in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. 

To our knowledge, reflected glare from a noise barrier has not created issues with traffic in any of 

these installations. A close examination of the geometry and optics involved suggests why. 

The Reflections are Typically Above the Line-of-Sight 

In many sound wall installations, the PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet only makes up a portion of 

the sound wall panel material. It is very common for walls to have a concrete, wood or metal base, 

with the transparent panels mounted above. When the bottom of the transparent sound wall panel is 

above the sight line of the driver, then all reflections will be above the driver. 

The Intensity of Light is Significantly Reduced as Distance Increases. 

In general, the intensity of the light decreases proportionally to the square of the distance traveled. 

Hence, the intensity of the light reflected from a sound wall is greatly diminished due to the distance 

it travels from the headlamp to the PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP wall and from the PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP wall to the driver. 

Illuminance is the measurement of how bright a point source of light appears to the eye. Figure 

1 shows the decrease in illuminance over distance for a typical automotive high beam headlamp 

directed into a 45° cone. It illustrates how significantly light will diminish in intensity over distance 

traveled. For example at a distance of 20 meters, a standard headlamp high beam brightness is 

measured at 50 vertical lux. At 110 meters distance, that same light source measures 5 vertical lux. 

Simply stated, the brightness of a light source will diminish over greater distance in the same manner 

that objects appear smaller as distance increases. 

—— 1 of 5 ——

Figure 1. Iso-illuminance diagram (vertical lux) at the road surface from a pair of lamps 

having the median luminous intensities for the sales-weighted sample representing the high 

beam headlamps on current passenger vehicles in the U.S. 1 

Figure 1 

Longitidunal Distance fron Headlamps ( m ) 

Source: The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Report UMTRI-2001-19 

When light is projected against a PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP panel, only a portion of that light 

is reflected. The remainder passes through the panel. 

Since PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP has a very smooth “high gloss” surface it is assumed that it also 

has a very high reflectance but this is not necessarily true. When light is projected at a PARA- 

GLAS SOUNDSTOP panel, a portion of the light passes through the sheet and the remainder is 

reflected. The percentages of light that are transmitted and reflected will vary according to the 

angle of projection. At very low angles (see Figure 2) PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet reflects a 

majority of the incident light. As angles or reflection increase, the amount of light reflected diminishes 

sharply. For light projected at angles below 10° the light typically travels a very long distance 

and this has the effect of reducing the brightness of the light as seen by the oncoming driver. 

Figure 2 

Reflection of PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP Sheet 

1. The University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute, Report No. UMTRI-2001-19, May 2001. 

—— 2 of 5 ——

Figure 3 

The effects of both distance and angle of reflection combine together 

to greatly reduce the intensity of reflected light. 

The intensity of the light is greatly diminished due to the distance the light has traveled from 

the headlamp to the PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sound wall, it is then reduced in intensity 

further according to the angle at which it is reflected and then further reduced in intensity due 

to the distance the reflected light travels from the PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sound wall to the 

driver. 

In most circumstances, the light projected directly from the headlights of an oncoming vehicle 

is significantly more intense than the reflected light. 

How much glare is too much? 

Disability glare is created by a light so bright that its intensity results in a measurable reduction 

in a driver’s ability to perform visual tasks. This reduction in performance is a direct result 

of the effects of stray light within the eye, which in turn are dependent on the age of the 

driver. At night, vehicle headlights produce direct glare by shining into the eyes of drivers in 

approaching cars and indirect glare such as reflections from rearview mirrors. Typically, the 

effects of glare on drivers is much greater at night than during the day, because at night drivers 

are adapted to lower light levels. For example, lights that are barely noticeable by day can be 

uncomfortably glaring at night. 

The following are two examples to help illustrate the differences between direct glare from 

an oncoming vehicle’s headlamp and indirect glare from a sound wall constructed from 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet. 

Example 1. First, consider the glare from an oncoming vehicle with the following assumptions: 

One lane of traffic in each direction 

Each lane is 10-ft wide 

The driver is 50 years old and looking straight ahead along the middle of the lane 

The cars are separated by a distance of 225-ft 

A background luminance of 0.026-cd/ft2 (an unlighted roadway at night) 

A headlamp luminous intensity of 42,500-cd and 25,431-cd at 2.5° left of center. 

In this example, the luminance of the glare reaching the drivers eyes is caculated to be 0.50fc. 

Thus, an object in the roadway will have to have its luminance compared to the background 

luminance increased over 40-fold to be detected. In other words an object in the roadway 

will have to be about 40 times brighter to be seen when there is glare from an oncoming high 

beam headlight at 225 feet away. 

Example 1 

—— 3 of 5 ——

Now lets look at the case of glare from light reflected from 

a transparent PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sound wall. 

Example 2. Consider a highway curve with the following geometry: 

Two lanes of traffic in each direction 

The cars moving in opposite directions approach each other, they are in the inside lanes 

Each lane is 10-ft wide 

The radius of curvature is 840 feet (very tight for a highway) 

The driver is 50 years old and looking straight ahead along the middle of the lane 

A background luminance of 0.026-cd/ft2 (an unlighted roadway at night) 

A headlamp luminous intensity of 42,500-cd and 29,440-cd at 2° left of center 

The cars on the outside of the curve (represented by vehicle A) will cross paths with both reflected light 

(indirect glare) from the PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sound wall panels coming from the cars on the inside 

of the curve (represented by vehicle B in Example 2) and then, afterwards, direct light (direct glare) 

coming from the same cars (vehicle B). The light from vehicle B’s headlamps will strike the PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP sound wall after traveling a distance of 225 feet. The incident light will be reduced in 

intensity by 40% when it strikes the PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP panel at an angle of 8°. The reflected 

light will then travel a distance of approximately 185 feet and will cross the path of vehicle A at an angle 

of 2°. The illuminance of the glare reaching the drivers eyes is .10-fc and therefore, an object in the 

roadway will need to have its luminance increased 13-fold in order to be seen. 

If we compare the 13-fold increase in contrast threshold for reflected light from a PARAGLAS SOUND- 

STOP sound wall with the over 40-fold increase for direct glare from an oncoming headlight it is easy to 

understand why indirect glare from a PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sound wall has not created any known 

complaints. 

Figure 4 

Example 2 

—— 4 of 5 ——

Definitions 

Glare occurs when the intensity of a light is greater 

than that to which the eyes are accustomed. It is 

usually defined as a bright light or a brilliant reflection. 

Direct glare is caused by light sources in the field of 

view and reflected glare is a bright reflection from a 

polished or glassy surface (for example, the vehicles 

side view mirror). Disability glare is caused by light 

scattered within the eye, causing a haze of veiling 

luminance that decreases contrast and reduces 

visibility. 

Reflectance is a measure of the reflected incident light 

(illuminance) that is reflected away from a surface. 

Reflectance will depend on the surface properties 

of the material as well as the angle from which it is 

illuminated. 

Luminous intensity is the light-producing power 

of a source, measured as the luminous flux per unit 

solid angle in a given direction. It is a measure of the 

strength of the visible light given off by a source of light 

in a specific direction. In this brief luminous intensity is 

expressed in terms of candelas (cd). 

Luminance is the amount of luminous flux reflected or 

transmitted by a surface into a solid angle per unit of 

area perpendicular to a given direction. It is a physical 

measure of the amount of light reflected or emitted from 

a surface and roughly corresponds to the subjective 

impression of “brightness”. Luminance does not vary 

with distance. It may be computed by dividing the 

luminous intensity by the source area, or by multiplying 

illuminance and reflectance. 

Illuminance is the amount of light incident per unit 

area of a surface at any given point on the surface. The 

illuminance E at a surface is related to the luminous 

intensity I of a source by the inverse square law E = I/ 

d 2 , where d is the distance between the source and the 

surface. In this brief illuminance is expressed in terms 

of foot-candles (fc). 



this material from flames and high heat sources. PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet usually burns rapidly to 

completion if not extinguished. The products of combustion, if sufficient air is present are carbon dioxide and 

water. However, in many fires sufficient air will not be available and toxic carbon monoxide will be formed, 

as it will when other common combustible materials are burned. We urge good judgement in the use of this 

versatile material and recommend that building codes be followed carefully to assure it is used properly. 

Compatibility 

Like other plastic materials, PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet is subject to crazing, cracking or discoloration 

if brought into contact with incompatible materials. These materials may include cleaners, polishes, adhesives, 



The information and statements herein are believed to be reliable but are not to be construed as a warranty 

or representation for which we assume legal responsibility. Users should undertake sufficient verification and 

testing to determine the suitability for their own particular purpose of any information or products referred 

to herein. NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS MADE. Nothing herein is to be 

taken as permission, inducement or recommendation to practice any patented invention without a license. 






Phone: (866) 801-0999 

Fax: (877) 268-8813 


Durisol Inc. 



Phone: (905) 521-0999 

Fax: (905) 521-8658 


Degussa/CYRO 



1.800.631.5384 




of Degussa. 



of CYRO Industries.


READY-FIT PANEL 

The Adaptable 

Transparent Noise 

Barrier 




Phone: (866) 801-0999 

Fax: (877) 268-8813 



Product Details 

Transparent PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP ® Noise 

Barrier Sheet panels installed. 

Complete steel frame and panel assembly for 

an “off-the-shelf” turnkey-solution. 

Compatible with all steel and/or concrete 

H-posts and/or H-columns. 

Easily inserted where needed in a standard 

sound wall. 

Use alone or in combination with 

non-transparent panels. 

Will not turn yellow or become brittle due to 

sunlight exposure. 

Low maintenance required. Panels are 

self-cleaning. 

Light weight. Large panels can be used to reduce 

cost and enhance aesthetics. 

Excellent sound insulation properties despite 

its lightweight feature. 

Meets or exceeds applicable FHWA guidelines. 

Graffiti is removed quickly and easily with powerwasher 

and approved cleaners. 

Highly cost effective. 

Available in: 

Durisol Inc. 



Phone: (905) 521-0999 

Fax: (905) 521-8658 

Panel Heights of 4, 6, or 8 feet. 

Fits post spaces from 10 through 20 feet. 

for sales and technical 

information contact. 


Degussa/CYRO 



1.800.631.5384 



wholly-owned subsidiary of 

Degussa. 

PARAGLAS Soundstop® is 

a registered trademark of 

CYRO Industries.


N E W S 

FROM THE LEADER IN SPECIALTY 

ACRYLIC SOLUTIONS 

“This wall is a very unique 

project, and there is not 

another noise barrier like 

this in North America.” 

- Mike Edwards, Durisol, USA Inc. 


SOUNDING OFF ABOUT TRANSPARENT 

HIGHWAY NOISE BARRIERS 

When the Alaska Department of Transportation 

(ADOT) sponsored a project to mitigate 

highway noise for a local residential area, it 

encountered some obstacles. The heavily 

traveled highway to Anchorage Airport bordered 

a community that had long enjoyed 

scenic views of the local Chugach Mountain 

range. The noise barrier would approximately 

run a 4,000-foot stretch of highway 

and vary from 10-17 feet high. Due to the 

community’s orientation to the sun, a solid 

17-foot noise barrier would cast a permanent 

dark shadow on these yards and deny 

the few hours of sunlight that reached them. 

CYRO’s transparent PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet provides 92% light transmission, and excellent 

noise protection. 

Known as the C Street project, ADOT 

along with local authorities ultimately 

concluded that a transparent noise barrier 

was the only acceptable solution. Uncommon 

in North American, transparent noise 

barriers �rst emerged in Europe to mitigate 

sound while preserv ing the natural landscape. 

This barrier would be a unique 

structure in North America. 

With over 50 years’ experience manufacturing 

noise barriers, Durisol, USA Inc. 

(McLean, VA) an exterior environmental 

noise mitigation company, proposed a 

® 

unique solution: new PARAGLAS SOUND- 

STOP Noise Barrier sheet from CYRO 

Industries. Available in Europe and only 

recently introduced to North America, 

® PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet o�ers 

superior UV stability and weather resistance 

over other transparent materials such as 

polycarbonate plastic. This helps ensure 

long-term clarity to preserve pristine views. 

Broadening The Spec 

ADOT originally speci�ed the noise barrier 

to be a translucent sound absorptive structure 

with a Noise Reduction Coe�cient 

(NRC) of 0.60 and provide a minimum of 

80% light transmission. An entirely translucent 

wall could not provide the light 

transmission quality sought by the project 

engineers. “We alerted ADOT and 

worked to open the spec to Durisol panels 

and transpar ent PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP 

sheets and formulated a design proposal 

that would �t this spec,” remarks Mike 

Edwards, Vice President, Durisol, USA Inc. 

Durisol manufactures sound absorptive 

panels made of a proprietary wood aggregate 

concrete mix that provides signi�cant 

acoustic dampening and sound absorption. 

The Durisol panels would provide the noise 

absorption for the barrier wall, while CYRO’s 

transparent PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet 

would provide 92% light transmission, and 

additional noise protection for the barrier.


N E W S 




“The sun rides low in the winter, and the residents want- 

ed to maintain their view of the Chugach Mountain 

range. This barrier is the best of both worlds, providing 

noise abatement and an attractive view.” 

- Harold Henderson, Alaska Department of Transportation 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP provides excellent light transmittance, great impact strength, and easy gra�ti removal. 

The solution chosen by the committee 

was a unique wall designed by Durisol 

incorporating solid Durisol panels along 

the bottom to absorb sound and transparent 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP panels 

along the top. To enhance durability and 

ease maintenance issues, Durisol placed the 

PARAGLAS glazing above solid Durisol 

panels that have an architectural �nish. 

This design provides the necessary NRC 

to meet ADOT’s spec, while limiting the 

perceived height of the wall. The use of 

transparent panels at the top of the structure 

allows light to pass through PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP sheet without casting shadows 

and preserving the views of the natural 

mountain landscape. 

Material Performance 

The absorptive barrier qualities derive 

from Durisol’s proprietary wood aggregate 

panels along the bottom of the wall and 

covering the supporting posts. The posts 

are covered with an absorptive cladding to 

maximize the sound absorptive surface area 

of the barrier. The pre-cast frames with 

absorptive surface, designed and manufactured 

by Durisol, seat the PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP panels. The Durisol panels 

give the wall an NRC of 0.80 – 0.85, easily 

exceeding the ADOT spec and further 

reducing the noise levels heard from the 

highway. 

“Durisol is not a plastics expert, but we’ve 

seen some polycarbonate walls on tour in 

San Diego that had yellowed and been 

replaced by acrylic, which immediately 

directed us to CYRO when bidding this 

project. No other material was even 

considered,” notes Edwards. 

Gra�ti was another issue with the barrier 

wall. The speci�cation called for materials 

that only required a hot pressure wash to 

remove gra�ti. Both the Durisol panels 

and CYRO’s PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet 

use a simple process requiring a solvent to 

remove paint.


N E W S 




Glaring Issues 

Transparent noise barriers raise some concerns 

about re�ected glare and whether a 

matte �nish is necessary. Having conducted 

studies on this issue in Europe, CYRO 

was able to provide data demonstrating 

that glare is not a signi�cant cause of 

driver distraction. In addition to this data, 

CYRO was also able to supply the com- 

“PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP exhibited more of the proper- 

ties we were looking for with this project. With excellent 

light transmittance, great impact strength, and easy gra�ti 

removal, the material outperformed the competition.” 

- Harold Henderson, Alaska Department of Transportation 

The design provides necessary noise abatement while preserving the views of the mountain landscape for homeowners. 

mittee with samples of frosted PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP sheet for review. After comparing 

the sheet and noting the height of 

the panels, the matte �nish was determined 

to be unnecessary and the committee 

selected the transparent sheet for the project. 

The committee also speci�ed Smoky 

Brown tinted panels in certain areas of the 

wall where visibility and light transmission 

were not an issue. The Smoky Brown 

tinted panels were chosen because they 

matched the colors of the wall. 

“We proved to the state that we could 

produce a wall to meet its requirements, 

whether it was color-matched tints or di�erent 

surface options,” notes Steve Barratt, 

market manager, Noise Protection Products, 

CYRO Industries.


N E W S 



Interested in PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP ® Noise 

Barrier Sheet? 






Phone: (866) 801-0999 

Fax: (877) 268-8813 


Durisol Inc. 



Phone: (905) 521-0999 

Fax: (905) 521-8658 


Degussa/CYRO 



1.800.631.5384 




PARAGLAS Soundstop® is a registered 

trademark of CYRO Industries. 

N O I S E B A R R I E R S HEE T 

Building The Great Wall 

Cost-e ective construction processes o - 

set minor cost variations in the proposals 

and lowered the total project cost of the 

Durisol barrier below the competition. 

Most highway noise barrier foundations 

designed by Durisol consist of augured 

or drilled shaft foundations, however in 

Alaska driving piles is the more common 

practice. The eight and ten inch diameter 

piles were precisely spaced within a 

one inch mar gin and driven 15-16 feet deep 

to properly support the wall panels. Noise 

wall H-posts were bolted to a welded plate 

on the pilings. Durisol designed the H-posts 

for this project to accommodate 

additional absorptive cladding and properly 

suppor t the transparent glazing. The 

framed transparent panels were completely 

pre-assembled before being lowered 

into place between the posts. 

Materials were shipped a total of 7,000 

miles from CYRO’s Arkansas plant, and 

from the Durisol plant in Canada without 

damage or delay. At the end of the 

project, a total of 18,000 square feet of 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP Sheet, 32,500 

square feet of Durisol panels, and 363 

concrete frames were produced, shipped 

and installed. The result is an attractive 

noise barrier wall that s nicely within 

the context of the land and the community. 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP Noise Barrier Sheet remains clear and will not yellow like polycarbonate 

materials. 

“Since the bar rier’s completion we’ve 

received nothing but positive feedback 

on the project from local homeowners as 

well as passersby on the highway . People 

are genuinely impressed with the 

wall’s appearance and performance,” 

concludes Henderson.

For over 30 years, 

CYRO Industries, and 

its parent company Degussa, 

have the highest quality 

transparent noise barrier 

products around the world. 

For more information or c 

questions about your project, 

contact CYRO’s noisewall 

specialists. 






Phone: (866) 801-0999 

Fax: (877) 268-8813 


Durisol Inc. 



Phone: (905) 521-0999 

Fax: (905) 521-8658 


Degussa/CYRO 



1.800.631.5384 




Degussa. 

PARAGLAS Soundstop® is a 

registered trademark of CYRO Industries. 


N O I S E 

B A R R I E R 

S HEE T 


Noise Barrier Products 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The information and statements herein are believed to be reliable but are not to be construed as a warranty or 

representation for which we assume legal responsibility. Users should undertake 

ver and testing to determine the 

suitability for their own particular purpose of any information or products referred to herein. NO WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR 

PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS MADE. Nothing herein is to be taken as permission, inducement or recommendation to practice any 

patented invention without a license. 

FIRE PRECAUTIONS: PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet is a combustible thermoplastic. Precautions should be taken to protect this material 

from and high heat sources. PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet usually burns rapidly to completion if not extinguished. The 

products of combustion, if air is present are carbon dioxide and water. However, in many air will not be 

available and toxic carbon monoxide will be formed, as it will when other common combustible materials are burned. We urge good 

judgement in the use of this versatile material and recommend that building codes be followed carefully to assure it is used properly. 

COMPATIBILITY: Like other plastic materials, PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet is subject to crazing, cracking or discoloration if brought 

into contact with incompatible materials. These materials may include cleaners, polishes, adhesives, sealants, gasketing or packaging 

materials, cutting emulsions, etc. 

Transparent for Visibility and Outstanding Light Transmission 

Long Service Life Measured in Decades 

Approved by State DOTs including CALTRANS and New York

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP ® Designers can get the of a tall wall while 

avoiding the corresponding visual impact. 

The Aesthetic Solution for Noise Walls 

Performance Advantages Sound Reduction/Weight 

Impact Strength Meets criteria of the Dade County Large missile (2x4 board) 

impact test. 

Maintenance Free Hard non-porous surface stays clean through exposure to rain. 

Light Weight A 56 square foot panel weighs as little as 225 pounds. 

Chemical Resistance Tolerates exposure to many chemicals including ice-melt 

chemicals, glass etching compounds and dilute acids without 

adverse ects. 

Gr Removal is removed easily and quickly involving only a spray-on 

application of solvent followed by power washing. 

Durability A very hard surface resists scratches from natural causes such 

as windblown sand and damage from impact by stones and 

other small objects thrown against it by c. 

Wind Load Resistance Excellent physical strength allows it to resist high wind loads. 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet is available in 15 mm, 20 mm 

and 25 mm thickness. 

Sheet ASTM E90 STC Weight per 

Thickness Rating (dB) sq. ft. (psf) 

15 mm (19/32”) 34 3.66 

20 mm (25/32”) 35 4.86 

25 mm (1”) 37 6.1 

Available in 7 colors, the sheets 

can be treated to make them visible 

to birds either by embedding 

or adding surface markings. 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP 

Ready-Fit Noise Barrier Panels 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP Ready-Fit Panels are 

fully fabricated frame and panel assemblies 

designed for use with concrete columns, 

pilasters or structural steel H posts. The frame is 

made from structural steel or aluminum and 

can be to match surrounding materials. 

The transparent portion of the Ready-Fit Panel is 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP noise barrier sheet. 

The assembly can be adapted to post spacings from six to twenty-four feet 

and in panel heights of four, six and eight feet.The Ready-Fit Panel is installed 

in the same drop-in manner as the conventional panels within the noise 

barrier. 

Framing Options 

Designers can easily adapt PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP 

to almost any design. These framing system 

options work well with PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP. 


SHEET 

Compatible 

Rubber Gasket 


SHEET 

Compatible 

Rubber Gasket 


SHEET 

Compatible 

Rubber Gasket 


SHEET 

Compatible 

Rubber Gasket 


SHEET 

Compatible 

Rubber Gasket 


SHEET 

Gasket 

Lag Screw 

8” x 8” SYP 

Typical 

Bushing/ 

Spacer 

Bushing/ 

Spacer 

Bushing/ 

Spacer 

2” x 6” 

SYP 

Typical


N O I S E B A RRI ER SHEET 

Transparent Noise Barriers 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP ® TL4 System 

Ultra Low Dead Load 

Crash Tested 

FHWA Approved

Cover: 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP® TL4 System 

Test Facility, Lincoln, NE 

18,000 pound truck impacts 

the TL4 System at 50 MPH and 

at an angle of 15° 


Complete turnkey solution for transparent noise barriers, vandal shields or 

FHWA approved for structures 

Components meet or exceed FHWA and DOT standards 

Meets NCHRP 350 level 4 crash test conditions 

Light weight, e. g. 200 lbs per linear foot 

Incorporates PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP®GS CC noise barrier sheet with 

integrated fragment retention, meeting international standards, e. g. EN 1794 

Excellent sound insulating properties 

Transparent for visibility and light transmission 

Damaged areas show how the 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP® TL4 System stabilizes the 

vehicle and reduces the severity of the crash. 

Very low maintenance, panels will retain clarity and physical strength despite 

decades of exposure to sunlight (ASTM D 1003 & D 4812 test methods)

NCHRP 350 Test Level 4 

Midwest Roadside Safety Facility, 

Lincoln, NE, USA 

» … the crash performance of the concrete 

safety shapes is essentially improved by limiting 

vehicle climb to some extent and b cantly 

reducing the roll angle of larger vehicles. « 

Excerpt from FHWA approval letter 

» That is the most stable TL4 crash test I‘ve ever seen. « 

Senior FHWA O cial in the O ce of Safety Design 

A 4,400 lb pickup truck 

impacts the TL4 System at 

60 mph at a 25° angle

Product ering 


TL4 System 

Available from 

2.5 to 5.0 meters high 

Post spacing 2.5 meters 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP® GS CC 

has embedded poly laments 

to contain broken fragments 

resulting from collision damage. 

This complies with EN 1794-2. 




Phone: (866) 801-0999 

Fax: (877) 268-8813 


Colors 

Transparent Barrier: 

Clear 

Midnight Blue 

Steel Blue 

Sky Blue 

Forest Green 

Sea Green 

Spring Green 

Smoky Brown 

This information and all further technical advice are based on Degussa’s present knowledge and experience. However, Degussa assumes no liability 

for providing such information and advice including the extent to which such information and advice may relate to existing third party intellectual 

property rights, especially patent rights. In particular, Degussa disclaims all CONDITIONS AND WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE 

IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR MERCHANTABILITY. DEGUSSA SHALL NOT BE RESPON-SIBLE FOR CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT OR 

INCIDENTAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOSS OF PROFITS) OF ANY KIND. Degussa reserves the right to make any changes according to technological progress or 

further developments. It is the customer’s responsibility and obligation to carefully inspect and test any incoming goods. Performance of the product(s) 

described herein should be v ed by testing and carried out only b ed experts. It is the sole responsibility of the customer to carry out and 

arrange for any such testing. Reference to trade names used by other companies is neither a recommendation, nor an endorsement of any product and 

does not imply that similar products could not be used. 

Durisol Inc. 



Phone: (905) 521-0999 

Fax: (905) 521-8658 

Non-Transparent Barrier Colors 

available for: 

• sight screens 

• as paneling for concrete structures 

• glare screens3452 

for sales and technical 

information contact. 


Degussa/CYRO 



1.800.631.5384 




Degussa. 

PARAGLAS Soundstop ® is a 

registered trademark of CYRO Industries.


N O I S E B A RRI ER SHEET 


Transparent Noise Barriers


With additional integrated sliver retention 

according to EN 1793, EN 1794 

ZTV-Lsw 88, Section 3.4.2. 

No further restraint systems 

are required. 


highly transparent and crystal-clear 

extremely resistant to weathering and aging 

easy to form and fabricate 

lightweight 

meet the requirements of ZTV-Lsw 88, 

EN 1793 and EN 1794 

with 10-year guarantee (according to guarantee conditions) 

can be recycled and returned to us 

available in clear and seven transparent colors 

Colorless Clear 

Colors 

Shades of 

blue Midnight Blue 

Steel Blue 

Sky Blue 

Shades of 

green Forest Green 

Sea Green 

Spring Green 

Shades of 

brown Smoky Brown

Photo on cover page, left: 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP® GS 

Railroad section Frankfurt – Mannheim, 

Germany 

Photo on cover page, right: 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP® XT 

Velperbroek highway A12 

Netherlands 

Products 


Type Thickness in mm Size in mm Miscellaneous 

PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP® XT 

PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP® GS 

PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP® GS CC 

Tsuruoka, Japan 

15 · 20 · 25 2,000 x up to 6,000 Various thicknesses, 

lengths of more than 

6,000 mm, width 2,050 

mm on request 

15 · 20 · 25 2,500 x 2,000 

3,000 x 2,000 

4,200 x 2,000 

5,000 x 2,000 

15 · 20 · 25 2,500 x 2,000 

3,000 x 2,000 

4,200 x 2,000 

5,000 x 2,000 

5,000 x 2,300 

3,300 x 2,500 

on request 

With sliver-retaining 

black polyamide threads, 

embedded horizontally 

or vertically. Clear 

threads available on 

request 

5,000 x 2,300 

3,300 x 2,500 

on request 


Monte Barro tunnel entrance 

Accessories 

We o�er EPDM gaskets for 

the correct installation of 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP® in 

15, 20 and 25 mm thickness. 

Lecco, Italy

Properties 

PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP® 

XT 


Baraki, Japan 

PARAGLAS 

SOUNDSTOP® 

GS, GS CC 

Unit Test Method 

Tensile strength min. 70 min. 70 MPa ISO 527-2/1B/5 

Elongation at break 5 5 % ISO 527-2/1B/5 

Flexural strength min. 98 min. 98 MPa ISO 178 

Elastic modulus min. 3,300 min. 3,300 MPa ISO 527-2/1B/5 

Thickness tolerances ISO 7823-1 

Density 1,19 1,19 g/cm 3 ISO 1183 

70.10 -6 70.10 -6 1/K DIN 53752-A 

Max. service temperature 70 70 °C ––– 

Vicat softening temperature 102 110 °C ISO 306/B50 

Light transmission of crystal-clear sheets min. 90 min. 90 % DIN 5036 


Weighted sound reduction index DL R 15 mm 30 30 dB EN 1793-2 / ZTV- Lsw 88 

Bewertetes Schalldämmmaß DL R 20 mm 32 32 dB EN 1793-2 / ZTV- Lsw 88 

Bewertetes Schalldämmmaß DL R 25 mm 33 33 dB EN 1793-2 / ZTV- Lsw 88 

High-speed train section 

Rome-Naples, Italy

Service 

W er you 

• cut-to-size sheets 

• surface-treated sheets 

(e.g. matte stripes, coatings) 

• sheets with line-bent edges and 

thermoformed elements 

• technical support 






Phone: (866) 801-0999 

Fax: (877) 268-8813 


PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP® 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP® GS CC is the only 

material approved for use along bridges 

without additional restraint systems accord- 

ing to EN 1794 Parts 1 and 2. The threads 

incorporated into the sheets prevent slivers 

from falling onto the road surface, e.g. in the 

event of damage during a road accident. 

Standards and Directives 

The legal regulations that apply to transpar- 

ent noise barriers are ZTV-Lsw 88 in Germany 

(additional technical regulations and direc- 

tives for the construction of noise barriers 

along roads), issued by the German Ministry 

of Transportation, and European standards 

EN 1793 Parts 1 to 3 and EN 1794 Parts 1 

devices.” 

Durisol Inc. 



Phone: (905) 521-0999 

Fax: (905) 521-8658 

10-Year Guarantee 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP® meets the require- 

ments of ZTV-Lsw 88, EN 1793 Parts 1-3 and 

EN 1794 Parts 1 and 2. 

Loadbearing Capacity. The loadbearing 

capacity of the sheets is determined via the 

elastic modulus, measured according to ISO 527. 

Stability. This is proved by the tensile 

strength of the sheets, measured according 

to ISO 527. 

Light Transmission. 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP® retains its high light 

transmission for many years. This is proved 

by measurement according to DIN 5036 Part 

3 Illuminant C. 

Sliver Retention. The sliver retention of 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP® GS CC is described 

and tested by an impact test to EN 1794-2 

Appendix B. 


Degussa/CYRO 



1.800.631.5384 




Degussa. 

PARAGLAS Soundstop ® is a 

registered trademark of CYRO Industries.

Hearing is Believing! 

… with Ready-Fit Invisible Noise Barriers 



The Aesthetic Solution for Noise Walls 

Impact Strength Meets criteria of the Dade County Large missile (2x4 board) 

impact test. 

Sheet ASTM E90 STC Weight per 

Thickness Rating (dB) sq. ft. (psf) 

Maintenance Free Hard non-porous surface stays clean through exposure to rain. 15 mm (19/32”) 34 3.66 

Light Weight A 56 square foot panel weighs as little as 225 pounds. 

Chemical Resistance Tolerates exposure to many chemicals including ice-melt 

chemicals, glass etching compounds and dilute acids without 

adverse e�ects. 

Gra�ti Removal Gra�ti is removed easily and quickly involving only a spray-on 

application of solvent followed by power washing. 

Durability A very hard surface resists scratches from natural causes such 

as windblown sand and damage from impact by stones and 

other small objects thrown against it by tra�c. 

Wind Load Resistance Excellent physical strength allows it to resist high wind loads. 

PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP sheet is available in 15 mm, 20 mm 

and 25 mm thickness. 

Designers can get the bene�ts of a tall wall while 

avoiding the corresponding visual impact. 

Performance Advantages Sound Reduction/Weight 

20 mm (25/32”) 35 4.86 

25 mm (1”) 37 6.1 

Exclusive North American Distributor For Sales and Technical 

Information Contact: 




Phone: (866) 801-0999 

Fax: (877) 268-8813 


Durisol Inc. 



Phone: (905) 521-0999 

Fax: (905) 521-8658 

Available in 7 colors, the sheets 

can be treated to make them visible 

to �ying birds either by embedding 

�laments or adding surface markings. 


Ready-Fit Noise Barrier Panels 


Degussa/CYRO 



1.800.631.5384 




PARAGLAS Soundstop ® is a registered 

trademark of CYRO Industries. 

Framing Options 

Designers can easily adapt PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP 

to almost any design. These framing system 

options work well with PARAGLAS SOUNDSTOP. 


SHEET 

Compatible 

Rubber Gasket 


SHEET 

Compatible 

Rubber Gasket 


SHEET 

Compatible 

Rubber Gasket 


SHEET 

Compatible 

Rubber Gasket 


SHEET 

Compatible 

Rubber Gasket 


SHEET 

Gasket 

Lag Screw 

8” x 8” SYP 

Typical 

Bushing/ 

Spacer 

Bushing/ 

Spacer 

Bushing/ 

Spacer 

2” x 6” 

SYP 

Typical

paraglas soundstop - Armtec

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?