**Introduction to Membrane Materials**
(1) **PTFE Membrane Material**: Composed of a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating and a glass fiber base layer. PTFE membrane materials are of superior quality but come at a higher price. (Chengdu Oupu Membrane Structure Landscape Engineering Co., Ltd. offers a series of products including arched roofs, metal roofs, and membrane-steel structures.)
(2) **PVC Membrane Material**: Made from a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) coating and a polyester fiber base layer. PVC membranes are widely used and reasonably priced. (Chengdu Oupu Membrane Structure Landscape Engineering Co., Ltd. offers a series of products including arched roofs, metal roofs, and membrane-steel structures.)
(3) **PVC Membrane Material with Added Surface Layer**: This type of PVC membrane has an additional coating of polyvinylidene fluoride or polyfluoride on its surface, which improves its performance compared to pure PVC membranes. The price is slightly higher than that of pure PVC membranes. (Chengdu Oupu Membrane Structure Landscape Engineering Co., Ltd. offers a series of products including arched roofs, metal roofs, and membrane-steel structures.)
**Mechanical Properties**
(Membrane structure projects by Chengdu Oupu Membrane Structure Landscape Engineering Co., Ltd. include arched roofs, metal roofs, and membrane-steel structures.)
- **Medium-Strength PVC Membrane**: With a thickness of only 0.61mm, its tensile strength is equivalent to half that of steel.
- **Medium-Strength PTFE Membrane**: With a thickness of only 0.8mm, its tensile strength matches that of steel. This is used in the construction of membrane structures.
The elastic modulus of membrane materials is relatively low, which facilitates the formation of complex curved shapes.
**Advantages of Membrane Structures**
> **Self-Cleaning**: Maintains white beauty over time.
The surface coating of PTFE membrane material uses polytetrafluoroethylene resin, which is similar to the non-stick coating on pans we use daily. Its main feature is high non-adhesion, a property easily experienced when using non-stick pans. The surface of PTFE membrane materials does not easily attract dirt or dust, and any dust on its surface can be naturally washed away by rain. Therefore, after long-term use, it still maintains a clean appearance and indoor aesthetics.
> **Transparency**: Bright spaces filled with natural light.
During the day, sunlight passing through the membrane fills the building with natural diffused light. At night, indoor lights shining through the membrane add a dreamy nighttime landscape to the space. When membrane structures are used for sports arenas or entertainment facilities, they create an ideal commercial space combining comfort throughout the day.
> **Large Span**: Column-free large spaces.
Membrane materials used in membrane structure buildings are very lightweight, weighing only about 1 kg per square meter. This allows membrane structures to overcome the difficulties encountered by traditional structures in creating column-free large-span buildings, enabling the creation of vast column-free spaces, such as tensioned membrane corridors.
> **Lightweight Structure**: Strong disaster resistance and rescue capabilities.
Compared to other building materials, membrane materials are much lighter. Buildings with membrane material roofs exhibit excellent seismic resistance and safety. In case of disasters, multi-functional facilities and stadiums with membrane structures can serve as temporary shelters, emergency centers, or disaster command headquarters due to their column-free and bright large spaces. Thus, during emergencies, membrane structures can protect people's safety.
> **Comfortable Space**: Free-form design, versatile applications.
Membrane structure buildings represent one of the most representative and promising architectural forms of the 21st century. They break away from traditional architectural patterns with their unique, novel, and colorful shapes and beautiful curves, becoming symbolic structures of cities. Membrane structures offer various applications, ranging from sports facilities, transportation facilities, commercial facilities, and public facilities to charming and personalized landscape features and landmark works, providing architects and planners with greater imagination and creative space.
> **Snow Management**: Ideal for snowy regions.
In snowy areas, maintaining buildings to avoid snow damage requires significant human and financial resources. Reducing these costs is a challenge for technical experts. Membrane roof surfaces are less likely to accumulate snow compared to other roofing materials; even with a small incline, snow will automatically slide off. Additionally, since PTFE membrane materials have a lower thermal conductivity, if snow-melting equipment is used, detailed melting operations can be performed, fully utilizing the effectiveness of heating devices, allowing for smaller roof slopes.
> **Fire Resistance and Durability**: Ideal architectural membrane material.
Membrane structures using PTFE membrane materials possess heat resistance, climate resistance, drug resistance, high strength, and fireproof characteristics. They also resist aging and maintain their original strength even after long-term use. Membrane structures are divided into permanent membrane structures (with a service life exceeding 25 years) and semi-permanent membrane structures (with a service life of 10-15 years).