Comprehensive guide to
architectural membranes
Facilitates innovative and dynamic design possibilities.
Architecture is a dynamic field, with technologies and materials constantly evolving. A revolution making waves in the construction world, architectural membranes are thin, flexible materials that serve as a protective layer for structures. Typically composed of materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), and coated fabrics, these membrane in architectures offer the unique properties of high strength and flexibility. These lightweight, flexible and durable materials have become an integral part of modern structural design and construction.
FLFX PVC architectural membrane is also a type of PVC tarpaulin. It mainly adopts the industry-leading knife coating process and introduces PVDF and Acrylic surface treatment imported from Germany. It achieves excellent weather resistance and stain resistance while effectively blocking plasticizer migration and anti-aging. Thereby greatly extending the service life of the membrane material. Mainly used in large public facilities such as stadiums, exhibition halls, shopping malls, and airports.
Many customers choose PVC membranes from the FLFX factory because of their excellent flexibility, tear resistance, self-cleaning, UV resistance, etc. This PVC architectural membrane material is exposed to sunlight, and the interior of the building is filled with natural diffuse light, making the indoor space brighter. The service life of the architectural membrane is more than 15 years. The strength of the material can maintain a stable mechanical structure even in typhoons and rain weather. FLFX architectural membrane manufacturers can provide 10-15 years PVC membrane quality assurance.
In 2020, we introduced a two-time surface treatment technology from Germany. This technology can coat two layers of PVDF, acrylic, and titanium dioxide on the PVC membrane material, which increases the coverage of the surface coating on the PVC membrane material and greatly improves the performance and durability of the architectural membrane.
* PVC Membranes Technical Properties
Item | FLFX-7001 | FLFX-7002 | FLFX-7003 |
---|---|---|---|
Weight | 1350 g/㎡ | 1250 g/㎡ | 1100 g/㎡ |
Base Fabric (100%PES Panama) | 2200 Dtex 15×15/ inch | 1650 Dtex 15×18/ inch | 1430 Dtex 17×19/ inch |
Tensile Strength (warp/weft) | 9000/8500 N/5cm | 6500/6200 N/5cm | 5500/5200 N/5cm |
Tear Strength (warp/weft) | 1200/1200 N | 800/800 N | 700/700 N |
Adhesion | 200 N/5cm | 180 N/5cm | 160 N/5cm |
Temperature Resistance | -30℃ / +70℃ | -30℃ / +70℃ | -30℃ / +70℃ |
Flame Retardancy (Optional) | B1, M2 | B1, M2 | B1, M2 |
Lacquering (Optional) | PVDF/Acrylic Anti-Wicking | PVDF/Acrylic Anti-Wicking | PVDF/Acrylic Anti-Wicking/TiO2 |
Width | 1.1-5.1M | 1.1-5.1M | 1.1-5.1M |
Application | Architecture Tensile Roof | Architecture Tensile Roof | Architecture Tensile Roof |
Item | FLFX-7004 | FLFX-7005 | FLFX-7006 |
---|---|---|---|
Weight | 1050 g/㎡ | 950 g/㎡ | 900 g/㎡ |
Base Fabric (100%PES Panama) | 1100 Dtex 20×17/ inch | 1100 Dtex 18×18/ inch | 1100 Dtex 15×15/ inch |
Tensile Strength (warp/weft) | 5300/5100 N/5cm | 5000/4500 N/5cm | 4000/3600 N/5cm |
Tear Strength (warp/weft) | 750/750 N | 600/600 N | 500/500 N |
Adhesion | 150 N/5cm | 150 N/5cm | 150 N/5cm |
Temperature Resistance | -30℃ / +70℃ | -30℃ / +70℃ | -30℃ / +70℃ |
Flame Retardancy (Optional) | B1, M2 | B1, M2 | B1, M2 |
Lacquering (Optional) | PVDF/Acrylic Anti-Wicking | PVDF/Acrylic Anti-Wicking | PVDF/Acrylic Anti-Wicking |
Width | 1.1-5.1M | 1.1-5.1M | 1.1-5.1M |
Application | Architecture Tensile Roof | Architecture Tensile Roof | Architecture Tensile Roof |
Types of architectural membranes
PVC Membranes:
- Versatile and cost-effective.
- Commonly used to tensile fabric architectures.
- Excellent weather resistance and UV radiation resistance.
PTFE Membranes:
- Offers exceptional durability and ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
- Ideal for long-span applications.
- Known for its self-cleaning properties.
ETFE Membranes:
- Transparent, lightweight, and environmentally friendly.
- For transparent roofs and facades.
- Has excellent thermal insulation properties.
Types of tensile fabric architectures
Tensile fabric architecture, also called tensile membrane architecture, is a specialized construction and structural engineering technology. Lightweight yet strong architectural tensile roofs or shading structures are created primarily from materials such as PVC, PTFE or ETFE. In this construction method, the fabric is stretched taut to create a three-dimensional surface that can span large areas while remaining stable and resisting environmental forces.
Tensile fabric architectures offer architects and designers significant flexibility in shape and form. Tensioned membranes can take on a variety of shapes, including cones, domes, sails and other free-form designs. Tensile membrane architectures are lightweight compared to traditional building materials. This property makes them ideal for creating large covered spaces without the need for heavy support structures.