ETFE
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ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) is a fluorocarbon-based polymer (a fluoropolymer): a kind of plastic. It was designed to be a material with high corrosion resistance and strength over a wide temperature range.
An example of its use is as pneumatic panels to cover the outside of the football stadium Allianz Arena or the Beijing National Aquatics Centre - the world's largest 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.
ETFE is commonly used in the Nuclear Industry for tie or cable wraps. This is because ETFE exhibits excellent mechanical toughness and a chemical resistance that rivals Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). In addition, ETFE exhibits a high-energy radiation resistance and can withstand moderately high temperatures for a long period of time.
Examples of brand names of ETFE are Tefzel by DuPont, Fluon by Asahi Glass Company and Texlon by Vector Foiltec.
Material for an Architectural Revolution, Business Week, April 24, 2007