However etfe foil cushions offer some benefits over glass.
Etfe roof disadvantages.
In the unlikely case of a power failure the air handling unit will cut out.
Disadvantages of etfe foil.
Elongations of 200 300 are possible.
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Relatively weak for a membrane material.
Disadvantages of etfe foil.
They are called etfe cushions.
Developed over 40 years ago by dupont etfe has similar light transmission to glass but at just 1 of the weight.
Not as transparent as glass.
Since the first application of etfe in construction at the burges zoo in 1982 etfe roofing has gradually gained market share and is now successfully used in several buildings.
The crystallinity of etfe ranges from 40 to 60 and it has a melting temperature of 225 300 c depending on the comonomer ratio and the processing method further the ratio of the two monomers are varied to obtain several grades of etfe with optimized properties for specific end applications.
Benefits of an etfe roof etfe has started ruling the world of transparent materials which once glass was.
There is no doubt in the fact that glass is the most clear most transparent material but there are many other disadvantages that are associated with this material.
Properties change with temperature.
The cushions are kept continually inflated at a predefined pressure by a small air handling unit or ahus connected to a control panel which inflates monitors and maintains the pressure in each individual cushion.
Creep is very high.
As being prestressed it can accomodate the live loads.
Etfe copolymers are basically alternating copolymers and in the molecular formula they are.
Both systems provide some capabilities like thermal insulation or light translucency.
Cushions distort the view.
Etfe cushions are finally being recognized as a striking piece of architecture in themselves not just being chosen to form roof structures and rooflights they can be used to create striking canopies.
Etfe is a very flexible material and is able to cope with large deformations before breakage.
Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene etfe is a fluorine based plastic polymer that offers a creative and lightweight alternative to glass.
The most used technology consist of two or more layer inflated with dry air.
A photo journey of etfe architecture quickly dispels the notion that this is a simple plastic cladding material you might put over your roof or boat on a rainy day.
The swiss architecture team of jacques herzog and pierre de meuron created a sculpted look for the allianz arena 2005 one of the most beautiful etfe structures in münchen.
To maintain their shape and structural stability multi layer etfe foil cushions require air inflation.
Disadvantages of metal roofing.