View source for ETFE

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| ImageFile = Ethylen-Tetrafluorethylen.svg
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| IUPACName = poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene)
| OtherNames = poly(ethene-co-tetrafluoroethene)
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| CASNo = 25038-71-5
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'''Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene''', ETFE, a kind of [[plastic]], was designed to have high corrosion resistance and strength over a wide temperature range.  Technically ETFE is a [[polymer]], and its systematic name is '''poly(ethylene-co-tetrafluoroethylene)'''.  ETFE has a very high melting temperature, excellent chemical, electrical and high energy radiation resistance properties.  When burned ETFE releases [[hydrofluoric acid]].

== Chemical, mechanical, physical, and thermal properties ==
Useful comparison tables of [[PTFE]] against [[Fluorinated ethylene propylene|FEP]], [[Perfluoroalkoxy|PFA]] and ETFE can be found on DuPont's website, listing the mechanical, thermal, chemical, electrical and vapour properties of each, side by side. <ref>[http://www2.dupont.com/Teflon_Industrial/en_US/tech_info/techinfo_compare.html ''Fluoropolymer Comparison - Typical Properties'' DuPont]</ref>

ETFE is effectively the high strength version of the other three in this group, often featuring slightly diminished capacities in other fields by comparison.

Combustion of ETFE occurs in the same way as a number of other [[fluoropolymer]]s, in terms of releasing hydrofluoric acid (HF).  HF is extremely corrosive, and so appropriate caution must be exercised.

Compared to glass, ETFE film is 1% the weight, transmits more light and costs 24% to 70% less to install. It's also resilient (able to bear 400 times its own weight, self-cleaning (due to its nonstick surface) and recyclable. On the other hand it is prone to punctures by sharp edges, therefore it is mostly used for roofs.<ref>[http://www.todoarquitectura.com/revista/40/en04_ETFE.asp ETFE]</ref> In sheet form as commonly employed for architecture, it is able to stretch to three times its length without loss of elasticity. Employing heat welding, tears can be repaired with a patch or multiple sheets assembled into larger panels.

ETFE has an approximate tensile strength of 42 N/mm² (6100 psi), with a working temperature range of {{nowrap|89 K}} to {{nowrap|423 K}} ({{nowrap|-185 °C}} to {{nowrap|150 °C}} or {{nowrap|-300 °F}} to {{nowrap|300 °F}}).<ref>[http://www.boedeker.com/etfe_p.htm ''Tefzel'' ETFE Specifications]</ref>

== Application ==
[[Image:EdenProject2005-07-30.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Eden Project]] biomes are constructed with ETFE cushions]]
An example of its use is as [[pneumatic]] panels to cover the outside of the [[Association football|football]] [[stadium]] [[Allianz Arena]] or the [[Beijing National Aquatics Centre]] (a.k.a. the Water Cube of the 2008 Olympics) - the world's largest [[building|structure]] made of ETFE film ([[laminate]]). The panels of the [[Eden Project]] are also made of ETFE and the [[Tropical Islands]] have a 20,000 m² window made of this [[translucent]] material.

Another key use of ETFE is for the covering of electrical wiring used in high stress, low fume toxicity and high reliability situations.  Aircraft wiring is a primary example. Some little wire like the wire used for the [[wire-wrap]] technique.

As a dual laminate, ETFE can be bonded with [[Fibre-reinforced plastic|FRP]] as a thermoplastic liner, and used in pipes, tanks, and vessels for additional corrosion protection.

ETFE is commonly used in the [[nuclear industry]] for tie or cable wraps, and in the aviation industry for wire coatings. This is because ETFE has better mechanical toughness than [[polytetrafluoroethylene|PTFE]]. In addition, ETFE exhibits a high-energy radiation resistance and can withstand moderately high temperatures for a long period of time. 
Commercially deployed brand names of ETFE include ''Tefzel'' by [[DuPont]], ''Fluon'' by [[Asahi Glass Company]] , ''Neoflon ETFE'' by [[Daikin]],and ''Texlon'' by [[Vector Foiltec]].

=== Buildings using ETFE ===
* [[Eden Project]], [[Cornwall]], [[United Kingdom]]
* [[National Space Centre]], Leicester, United Kingdom
* Atrium, [[University of Bradford]], [[Bradford]], United Kingdom
* Atrium, [[Hartlepool Sixth Form College]], [[Hartlepool]], United Kingdom
* Pavilion, [[Alnwick Castle]], [[Alnwick]], United Kingdom
* [[Allianz Arena]], [[Munich]], [[Germany]]
* [[Beijing National Aquatics Centre]], (the Water Cube) [[Beijing]], [[China]]
* [[Beijing National Stadium]], [[Beijing]], China
* [[FestiveWalk]], [[Resorts World at Sentosa]], Singapore
* [[Biota!]] aquarium, [[London]], United Kingdom
* [[Dolce Vita Tejo]] Shopping Centre, [[Amadora]], [[Lisbon]], [[Portugal]]
* roof, dedicated underground rail station at the [[Heathrow Airport#Terminal 5|Heathrow Airport Terminal 5]], [[London]], United Kingdom
* [[Forsyth Barr Stadium at University Plaza]], [[Dunedin]], [[New Zealand]]
* [[Islazul Shopping Centre]], [[Madrid]], [[Spain]]
* [[Kansas City Power & Light District]], [[Kansas City, Missouri]], [[United States]]
* [[Khan Shatyry]], [[Astana]], [[Kazakhstan]]
* South Campus skylight structures, [[Art Center College of Design]], [[Pasadena, California]], United States
* [[Tanaka Business School]], [[London]], United Kingdom
* [[Tropical Islands]], [[Brandenburg]], Germany
* [[Barnsley Interchange]], [[Barnsley]], United Kingdom
* [[The Mall Athens]], [[Athens]], [[Greece]]
* [[Newport railway station]], [[Newport]], United Kingdom
* [[The Elements, Livingston]], United Kingdom
* [[Zénith de Strasbourg|Zénith]], [[Strasbourg]], [[France]]
Newly built: Oceanus Casino, Macau, Special Administrative Region of China.
* [[West Thames College]], [[Isleworth]], United Kingdom
* [http://www.lancs.ac.uk/iss ISS] Building[[Lancaster University]]

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
*[http://www.iaso.es/iaso/es/arquitecturatextil/cubiertasyfachadasefte/cubiertasyfachadasefte.php Iaso S.A. Construcción lámina de ETFE ], September 3, 2009

*[http://www.businessweek.com/print/innovate/content/apr2007/id20070424_903199.htm Material for an Architectural Revolution], Business Week, April 24, 2007
*[http://video.google.it/videoplay?docid=-2732911274648032623 Short video: ETFE sheet extrusion], April 24, 2009
*[http://www.arquitextil.net/es/principal.html Lastra&Zorrilla Arquitectura Textil Cojines de ETFE], March 11, 2010

[[Category:Building materials]]
[[Category:Copolymers]]
[[Category:Fluoropolymers]]
[[Category:Plastics]]
[[Category:Thermoplastics]]

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