Commonly used membrane materials for membrane structures

Membrane materials commonly used in membrane structures are mainly divided into three categories, each with its unique properties and applicable scenarios. The following is a detailed introduction:

I. Main Classifications and Characteristics

1. PTFE Membrane Material (Polytetrafluoroethylene)

Structure: Typically, it consists of a fiberglass base cloth + PTFE (Teflon) coating.

Core Characteristics:

Excellent Durability: The first choice for permanent buildings, with a service life of over 25 years.

Superior Self-Cleaning Properties: The coating is non-stick, and dust and dirt can be naturally washed away by rainwater.

Fire Resistance: Class A non-combustible material, meeting the highest fire protection requirements.

High Chemical Stability: Strong resistance to corrosion, acids, alkalis, and ultraviolet rays.

Light Transmittance: Light transmittance is approximately 10-20%, providing soft, natural diffused light.

Disadvantages: Expensive, relatively rigid material, poor foldability, requires special care during transportation and installation.

Classic Applications: Permanent landmark buildings such as large stadiums, airport terminals, and exhibition centers.

2. PVC Membrane Material (Polyvinyl Chloride)

Structure: Polyester fiber base fabric + PVC coating + surface treatment with PVDF or PVF, etc.

Key Features:

Economical: Most affordable and widely used.

Flexible and Easy to Process: Lightweight, foldable, and easy to install.

Rich Colors: Available in various colors to meet landscaping needs.

Medium Lifespan: With high-quality surface treatment, the lifespan can reach 10-15 years.

Disadvantages:

Moderate Self-Cleaning: Although improved by the PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) surface layer, it is still inferior to PTFE.

Poor Weather Resistance: Over time, some plasticizers may leach out, leading to coating aging, dirt accumulation, and brittleness.

Environmentally Friendly: Some products may contain chlorine; careful disposal is required.

Applications: Sports stands, parking lots, sunshade landscape features, commercial pedestrian streets, small and medium-sized venues, etc.

Typical examples: Various residential landscape membranes, shopping mall entrance awnings, temporary exhibition facilities.

3. ETFE Membrane Material (Ethylene-Tetrafluoroethylene Copolymer)

Structure: Non-woven membrane material, made directly from ETFE raw materials.

Core Features:

Excellent Light Transmittance: Up to 95% light transmittance, with soft light.

Superior Durability: Extremely weather-resistant, with a service life of over 25 years.

Extremely Lightweight: Only 1% the weight of glass of the same area, significantly reducing structural load.

Good Self-Cleaning Properties: Very smooth surface, easily cleaned by rainwater.

Highly Flexible: Can be processed into air cushion form, and thermal performance can be controlled by inflation.

Disadvantages: Expensive; as a single membrane, its load-bearing and tear resistance are limited (but the air cushion form has very high strength); extremely high requirements for construction technology.

Applications: Modern buildings, ecological buildings, greenhouses with extremely high requirements for lighting.

Typical Example: National Aquatics Center (Water Cube).