ETFE

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.