Applications and Characteristics of ETFE and PTFE Film Materials in Modern Architecture

1. Introduction of ETFE and PTFE film material

ETFE, also known as ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, is a fluorine-containing high-molecular thermoplastic material and belongs to the category of artificially synthesized high-strength fluoropolymers. This material can be processed directly into the ETFE film, which belongs to the non-fabric film materials category. ETFE film is characterized by its excellent durability, ease of cleaning and stability, and it is now regarded as a leading film material globally.

In addition, PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene, is a chemically inert material. It is manufactured using glass fibre as the primary raw material, subsequently forming a PTFE film. PTFE film materials also possess outstanding durability, ease of cleaning and stability. Following rigorous testing, the fire resistance performance of both ETFE film materials and PTFE film materials has been classified as B1 grade, categorizing them as flame-retardant materials.

2. Characteristics of ETFE filmmaterial

ETFE, also known as ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, is a high-performance film material. The material displays excellent tensile, impact and tear strength. As the thickness increases, the hardness of the material will rise accordingly, however, it will also become more brittle, and the processing difficulty will increase.

ETFE film material is composed of the fluoroplastic, and can also be subjected to preload, in a manner comparable to fabric film material. It is able to withstand temperature changes and can be exposed directly to temperatures ranging from -200℃ to 150℃.

With a light transmittance rate of 95%, it allows for optimal transmission of ultraviolet rays and other light, thereby ensuring the interior of the building benefits from natural illumination. It is possible to reduce the semi-transparency to 50% by means of surface printing.

The unique anti-sticking surface endows the film material with high anti-fouling and easy-to-clean characteristics. Rainwater is an effective solution for removing dirt from surfaces.

3. The unique properties of PTFE filmmaterial

PTFE film material is renowned for its exceptional strength. Even medium-strength PTFE films can demonstrate tensile strength comparable to that of steel. Due to its relatively low elastic modulus, the film material possesses a high degree of flexibility when forming complex curved surfaces.

The operational stability of this film material ensures reliable performance within an extensive range of environmental temperatures, spanning from -70°C to 230°C.

It boasts exceptional optical performance. During the day, it efficiently converts incident light into natural warm light, which is both anti-glare and shadow-free, and the light distribution is uniform. Meanwhile, its excellent ultraviolet protection performance is capable of preventing the fading of interior decoration and equipment.

It is equipped with a sophisticated self-cleaning function, allowing rainwater to effectively remove surface dirt.

It is extremely durable, with a service life in excess of 25 years.