ETFE Structural Membrane
ETFE Structural Membrane
Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) is a fluorine-based plastic. It was designed to have high corrosion resistance and strength over a wide temperature range. ETFE is a polymer and its source-based name is poly(ethene-co-tetrafluoroethene). ETFE has a relatively high melting temperature, excellent chemical, electrical and high-energy radiation resistance properties. When burned, ETFE releases hydrofluoric acid.
its unique anti-adhesion surface makes it highly anti-fouling and easy to clean.Usually, rain water can remove major dirt . ETFE film is a superior alternative material in transparent building structure. Over the years, it has been proved to be a reliable and economic roof material with many advantages in many projects.
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● Corrosion resistance: It is free from any strong acid, alkali, oxidant and almost any solvent.
● Non-stick: The surface is smooth and transparent, does not adhere to any material.
● Light Weight: The film itself is light and requires less steel girders to support the structure, allowing more sunlight to enter
● Ageing resistance: Radiation resistance and low permeability, long-term exposure to the atmosphere, surface and performance remain unchanged
● Fire resistant: UL94 V0(CLASS A)
●Thermal endurance: Operating Temperature Range） -100～ +200℃
●Full Angle transmittance: Compared with other plastic films, ETFE has the greatest advantage of light transmittance at any Angle
An example of its use is as pneumatic panels to cover the outside of the football stadium Allianz Arena or the Beijing National Aquatics Centre (a.k.a. the Water Cube of the 2008 Olympics) – the world's largest structure made of ETFE film (laminate). The panels of the Eden Project are also made from ETFE, and the Tropical Islands have a 20,000 m² window made from this translucent material.
Another key use of ETFE is for the covering of electrical and fiber-optic wiring used in high-stress, low-fume-toxicity and high-reliability situations. Aircraft and spacecraft wiring are primary examples. Some small cross-section wires like the wire used for the wire-wrap technique are coated with ETFE.
As a dual laminate, ETFE can be bonded with FRP as a thermoplastic liner and used in pipes, tanks, and vessels for additional corrosion protection.
ETFE is commonly used in the nuclear industry for tie or cable wraps and in the aviation and aerospace industries for wire coatings. This is because ETFE has better mechanical toughness than PTFE. In addition, ETFE exhibits a high-energy radiation resistance and can withstand moderately high temperatures for a long period of time. Commercially deployed brand names of ETFE include Tefzel by DuPont, Fluon by Asahi Glass Company, Neoflon ETFE by Daikin, and Texlon by Vector Foiltec.
Due to its high temperature resistance ETFE is also used in film mode as a mold-release film. ETFE film offered by Guarniflon or Airtech International and Honeywell is used in aerospace applications such as carbon fiber pre-preg curing as a release film for molds or hot high-pressure plates