Membrane Material Overview
Membrane Material Overview
PTFE Membrane
PTFE Membrane
PVC Membrane
PVC Membrane
ETFE Membrane
ETFE Membrane
PVC Solid Membrane
PVC Solid Membrane
PVC Solid Membrane
PVC Solid Membrane
ETFE Print Membrane
ETFE Print Membrane
PTFE Mesh Membrane
PTFE Mesh Membrane
PVC Mesh Membrane
PVC Mesh Membrane
ETFE Membrane
ETFE Membrane
The three membrane materials differ fundamentally in their composition:
1、PVC membrane: A multi‑layer composite material based on a polyester or polyamide fabric scrim, coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin. Additional functional coatings such as PVDF or PVF are often applied to improve performance.
2、PTFE membrane: A composite material based on an ultra‑fine glass‑fibre fabric, coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin.
3、ETFE membrane: Made directly from a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene – it has no fabric substrate and is formed as a pure film.
The three membrane materials differ fundamentally in their composition:
1、PVC membrane: A multi‑layer composite material based on a polyester or polyamide fabric scrim, coated with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin. Additional functional coatings such as PVDF or PVF are often applied to improve performance.
2、PTFE membrane: A composite material based on an ultra‑fine glass‑fibre fabric, coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) resin.
3、ETFE membrane: Made directly from a copolymer of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene – it has no fabric substrate and is formed as a pure film.
Comparation of High-Performance Membrane Material
Comparation of High-Performance Membrane Material
1. Mechanical Properties
1. Mechanical Properties
Because PVC and PTFE have a fabric base, they possess high creep resistance and can be used directly as structural materials. ETFE, on the other hand, must be made into cushions and pressurised with air to become a load‑bearing structural element.
Because PVC and PTFE have a fabric base, they possess high creep resistance and can be used directly as structural materials. ETFE, on the other hand, must be made into cushions and pressurised with air to become a load‑bearing structural element.
8. Recommendations for Selection
8. Recommendations for Selection
PVC membrane: Suitable for projects with limited budgets and moderate service‑life requirements (5 – 15 years), such as landscape features, temporary structures, street furniture, etc. Its main advantages are high cost‑effectiveness and easy installation.
PVC membrane: Suitable for projects with limited budgets and moderate service‑life requirements (5 – 15 years), such as landscape features, temporary structures, street furniture, etc. Its main advantages are high cost‑effectiveness and easy installation.
PTFE membrane: Ideal for permanent large‑span public buildings, such as sports arenas, exhibition centres, airport terminals, etc. Its core strengths are high strength, excellent durability, and superior self‑cleaning, but it has poor flexibility, higher installation difficulty, and relatively high cost.
PTFE membrane: Ideal for permanent large‑span public buildings, such as sports arenas, exhibition centres, airport terminals, etc. Its core strengths are high strength, excellent durability, and superior self‑cleaning, but it has poor flexibility, higher installation difficulty, and relatively high cost.
ETFE membrane: Best for landmark buildings that demand very high daylighting and a transparent, glass‑like aesthetic – e.g., the “Water Cube” (Beijing National Aquatics Centre), Allianz Arena, etc. It offers extremely high light transmittance and is very lightweight (only about 1% of the weight of glass), but it is costly, and waste film must be returned to the manufacturer for recycling.
ETFE membrane: Best for landmark buildings that demand very high daylighting and a transparent, glass‑like aesthetic – e.g., the “Water Cube” (Beijing National Aquatics Centre), Allianz Arena, etc. It offers extremely high light transmittance and is very lightweight (only about 1% of the weight of glass), but it is costly, and waste film must be returned to the manufacturer for recycling.