Overview of ETFE Film
Ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) film - this is the very light weight, heat resistant, fire-resistant and light transmitting fluoropolymer, also known as "soft glass". These features are why it is a material of high demand in different sectors, particularly in the fields of architecture and construction. These characteristics make it a highly sought-after material in various industries, particularly in architecture and construction. Here, Alfa Chemistry will comprehensively analyze why ETFE film is so popular from multiple aspects such as ETFE raw materials, chemical structure, performance characteristics and application scenarios.
What Is ETFE?
Before we discuss ETFE film, we should first understand what ETFE is. ETFE is a fluororesin synthesized by alternating copolymerization of ethylene and tetrafluoroethylene. It was first commercialized in the late 20th century and has since become famous for its multifunctional properties. Fluorine atoms are added to its structure, giving it excellent chemical inertness and thermal stability.
ETFE products include powders and granules, which can be processed by spraying, rolling, extrusion, injection molding and other processing technologies to obtain anti-corrosion linings, films, hoses, cables and other molded parts.
Among them, ETFE film is the focus of our attention today. ETFE film material has no fabric substrate and is directly composed of thermoplastic compound film. The ETFE powder or particles are heated to above 380℃ to reach the molten state of resin slurry. It is finally shaped into a film of standard thickness and standard width through hot pressing wheel extrusion.
How Powerful Is ETFE Film?
ETFE is the toughest fluoroplastic. While maintaining the good heat resistance, chemical resistance and electrical insulation properties of PTFE, it has greatly improved radiation resistance and mechanical properties, and various mechanical properties have achieved a good balance - extremely strong tear resistance, high tensile strength, medium hardness, excellent impact resistance, and long telescopic life.
Comparison of ETFE and Other Fluoroplastics
Speaking with data, Alfa Chemistry summarized the key parameter comparison of ETFE and other fluoroplastics for you as a reference.
Performance Highlights
- It has good crack resistance and tear resistance.
- The strength in the length direction and vertical direction is relatively balanced, and the film material has good uniformity.
- High light transmittance, which can be greater than 95%.
- Good self-cleaning, dustproof, wind and rain resistant, manual cleaning interval is much longer than PVC and PTFE membranes.
- Excellent anti-aging performance, service life is more than 25 years.
- Excellent chemical corrosion resistance, can be used in special environments, can resist most acids and alkalis.
- Excellent climate adaptability, can be directly exposed to temperatures of -200°C~150°C.
- Good impact resistance and wear resistance, suitable for outdoor environments such as flying sand and hail.
- Good flame retardancy, good insulation performance, fire protection level reaches V-0.
- Recyclability, the membrane can be reused after hot melting.
ETFE Film Standard Size List
| CATALOG | PRODUCT NAME | INQUIRY |
|---|
| ACMA00034206 | ETFE film, 0.025 mm, 150 × 150 mm | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034208 | ETFE film, 0.025 mm, L 0.5 m | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034209 | ETFE film, 0.025 mm, L 1 m | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034210 | ETFE film, 0.025 mm, L 2 m | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034211 | ETFE film, 0.025 mm, L 5 m | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034212 | ETFE film, 0.125 mm, 150 × 150 mm | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034213 | ETFE film, 0.125 mm, 300 × 300 mm | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034214 | ETFE film, 0.125 mm, L 0.5 m | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034215 | ETFE film, 0.125 mm, L 1 m | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034216 | ETFE film, 0.125 mm, L 2 m | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034217 | ETFE film, 0.25 mm, 100 × 100 mm | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034218 | ETFE film, 0.25 mm, 150 × 150 mm | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034219 | ETFE film, 0.25 mm, 200 × 200 mm | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034220 | ETFE film, 0.25 mm, 300 × 300 mm | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034221 | ETFE film, 0.25 mm, 650 × 650 mm | Inquiry |
| ACMA00034222 | ETFE film, 0.25 mm, L 1 m | Inquiry |
If you have special size customization requirements, please contact us.
Application Scenarios of ETFE Film
ETFE film is widely used in the construction of innovative and energy-saving building exterior walls, providing a visually attractive and durable appearance. If you have observed, you can see the application of ETFE in shopping malls, educational and cultural centers, large stadiums, and even airports and stations in the transportation field. An application case of ETFE film that must be mentioned is that the total area of ETFE film used in the 2008 Beijing Olympic venues in China - Water Cube reached 260,000 square meters.
The flexible photovoltaic cell can be encapsulated with ETFE film, the parts will be thin, light and mobile, while increasing the parts' weather and service life.
- Electronic and Electrical
ETFE is one of the main materials that we use to make insulated wires and cables in the aerospace industry, due to its high mechanical strength, low relative density and resistance to radiation.
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What Are the Shortcomings of ETFE Film?
Relatively weak puncture resistance
Compared with some metal or hard plastic materials, ETFE film has limited puncture resistance and is prone to breakage when subjected to external forces from sharp objects, which to a certain extent limits its use in some special application scenarios that require high puncture resistance of the material.
Fire resistance needs to be improved
Although ETFE material itself has a certain degree of flame retardancy, it will release toxic gases in a high temperature environment, which may threaten the safety of people's lives in the event of a fire. Therefore, additional fire prevention measures are needed in building applications to improve its overall fire safety performance.
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