There are a variety of solutions in the field of ground protection, but not all of them are the same. Two common manufacturing processes – pressing and extrusion – result in products that differ fundamentally in their properties and areas of application. While both methods produce plastic sheets from recycled material, they offer very different advantages and disadvantages that need to be considered. In the following, we highlight these differences and explain why pressed road plates are the higher quality choice.
Pressed plastics are pressed into a specific shape under high pressure and at high temperatures. Our plastic sheets are made from PE-HMW (high molecular weight polyethylene) or PE-UHMW (ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene). This process results in a stress-free and stable material structure. The result is sheets that are extremely dimensionally stable, break-resistant and durable. They retain their shape even under high loads and other external influences and therefore offer a reliable solution for surface protection.
Extruded plastics, on the other hand, are pressed through a mold to create a continuous structure. At LuxTek, we use extruded PE-HD (high density polyethylene) for this purpose. This process results in a material that is more pliable. Extruded plastic sheets are therefore flexible, but also more susceptible to deformation and less resilient.
Due to these different material properties, we offer our pressed plastic sheets as road plates and the extruded plastic sheets as ground protection mats. In the following, we will discuss the specific areas of application for both types of sheet.
The choice between pressed and extruded plastic sheets depends heavily on the specific requirements and conditions of use. Both types of sheet offer solutions for ground protection, but their optimum areas of application vary considerably.
Pressed road plates are characterized by their exceptional load-bearing capacity and stability, which makes them the ideal choice for demanding conditions and higher loads. They are particularly suitable for:
Use of heavy machinery on construction sites: The ability to distribute heavy loads makes pressed road plates perfect for use with heavy construction machinery, such as excavators, tracked vehicles, cranes and bulldozers. They prevent the machines from sinking in and ensure a stable and safe surface. On large construction sites and at major events, they offer robust and safe protection for the ground and infrastructure, even under intensive use and heavy loads.
Unpaved and wet surfaces: Thanks to their high dimensional stability and breaking strength, pressed road plates can be used even in the most difficult conditions. They provide reliable support on soft or muddy surfaces where other materials could fail.
Year-round use: Pressed road plates are weather-resistant and can be used all year round. They are reliable in both extreme heat and freezing conditions.
Extruded ground protection mats are softer and more flexible. These properties make them less suitable for extreme loads, but they are perfectly adequate for specific applications, such as:
Paved floors: On paved floors, ground protection mats offer sufficient load-bearing capacity and are ideal for protecting roads and squares. They can be used on access routes for medium-duty construction vehicles, such as smaller excavators, to maintain the integrity of paved surfaces.
Surface protection against damage: Ground protection mats help to reinforce vulnerable road surfaces and provide a stable roadway for temporary traffic. This makes them a valuable solution for temporary access routes during construction projects or events.
Events and functions: Our ground protection slabs often serve as easy-to-install tent flooring, provide a stable base for temporary event tents and halls and enable the creation of temporary parking lots. Thanks to their simple manual handling, they are easy to install and remove, while their robustness can easily withstand the demands of large crowds.
In this video, we show a clear comparison of the two manufacturing processes: pressed PE HMW/PE UHMW (left road plate) and extruded PE-HD/PE-LD (right ground protection mat).
Setup: The test rig was set up on the basis of the measurement results from MPM Zwick and precise displacement control. The bending load is tested in accordance with DIN EN ISO 178 up to 500 N (approx. 50 kg) in order to determine the deflection.
Result: The video impressively illustrates the significantly higher flexural strength and the better recovery behavior of the pressed materials, which leads to less soil subsidence and less soil compaction.
Most well-known dealers on the market offer their road plates in extruded quality. However, we differentiate between road plates and ground protection mats: All LuxTek products declared as road plates are of pressed quality made of PE-HMW or PE-UHMW. Our ground protection mats, on the other hand, are extruded from PE-LD or PE-HD.
Pressed and extruded plastic plates differ in price due to the different manufacturing processes. Pressed plastic plates are more expensive as the manufacturing process is more complex and results in products with higher flexural strength.
Pressed road plates generally have a longer service life due to their more robust structure and higher flexural strength. They are particularly resistant to heavy loads and are suitable for long-term use, even under demanding conditions. Extruded ground protection mats generally have a shorter service life compared to pressed plates, as the manufacturing process results in lower flexural strength and resistance.
The optimum choice of the road plate depends on various factors, such as the surface, the temperature conditions and the specific application. Different floor conditions require different plates – soft floors require more stable road plates, while ground protection mats may be sufficient on firmer surfaces. Temperature differences also play a role, as not all plates are suitable for extreme conditions
Our sales team will be happy to advise you on the selection of the right road plates and offer the right product for every application.