Fluoropolymers: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Pillowdome.JPG|thumb|right|450px|Pillow dome built by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Baldwin Jay Baldwin]: The Ark houses a growing environment consisting of intensive organic gardens, irrigated by the "exhaust" from large, transparent tanks containing fish. (See [[Aquaponics|aquaponics]].) The aquaponic tanks also serve as an effective heat sink, allowing an indoor climate warm enough to grow bananas in February, in New England, with no fossil fuel heat source.]] | [[File:Pillowdome.JPG|thumb|right|450px|Pillow dome built by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Baldwin Jay Baldwin]: The Ark houses a growing environment consisting of intensive organic gardens, irrigated by the "exhaust" from large, transparent tanks containing fish. (See [[Aquaponics|aquaponics]].) The [[aquaponic]] tanks also serve as an effective heat sink, allowing an indoor climate warm enough to grow bananas in February, in New England, with no fossil fuel heat source.]] | ||
[[File:Eden project tropical biome.jpg|thumb|right|450px|Inside the tropical Biome at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eden_Project Eden Project]: The covered biomes are constructed from a tubular steel (hex-tri-hex) with mostly hexagonal external cladding panels made from the thermoplastic ETFE. Glass was avoided due to its weight and potential dangers. The cladding panels themselves are created from several layers of thin UV-transparent ETFE film, which are sealed around their perimeter and inflated to create a large cushion. The resulting cushion acts as a thermal blanket to the structure.]] | [[File:Eden project tropical biome.jpg|thumb|right|450px|Inside the tropical Biome at [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eden_Project Eden Project]: The covered biomes are constructed from a tubular steel (hex-tri-hex) with mostly hexagonal external cladding panels made from the thermoplastic ETFE. Glass was avoided due to its weight and potential dangers. The cladding panels themselves are created from several layers of thin UV-transparent ETFE film, which are sealed around their perimeter and inflated to create a large cushion. The resulting cushion acts as a thermal blanket to the structure.]] | ||
==About== | ==About== | ||
High-performance plastic materials such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE] ("Teflon") ETFE (Tefzel"). Very interesting properties such as UV resistance, resistance to | High-performance plastic materials such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE] ("Teflon") ETFE (Tefzel"). Very interesting properties such as UV resistance, elasticity, resistance to corrosion from most substances and better high temperature performance. Fluoropolymer foil is useful for things like [[greenhouse]] covering and for [[Aluminum Extraction From Clays]]. The UV resistance of these materials results in long life, with up to 30 years reported with minimal degradation. | ||
Also, UV transmission leads to more "natural" light spectrum inside the greenhouse, suppressing microbes that may otherwise survive if UV light is blocked off. Fluoropolymers are slowly catching on as greenhouse covering but are still much more expensive than current alternatives such as polyethylene and [[polycarbonate]]. Drawbacks include susceptibility to puncture holes and movement/wind, which is why fluoroplastic foil is often inflated as cushions (see images: "Pillow Dome" and "Eden Project"). Thicker membranes are possible but much more expensive. | Also, UV transmission leads to more "natural" light spectrum inside the greenhouse, suppressing microbes that may otherwise survive if UV light is blocked off. Fluoropolymers are slowly catching on as greenhouse covering but are still much more expensive than current alternatives such as polyethylene and [[polycarbonate]]. Drawbacks include high cost (10x that of polycarbonate), susceptibility to puncture holes and movement/wind, which is why fluoroplastic foil is often inflated as cushions (see images: "Pillow Dome" and "Eden Project"). Thicker membranes are possible but much more expensive. | ||
==Uses== | ==Uses== | ||
* greenhouse covering (as foil) | * greenhouse covering (as foil) | ||
Revision as of 14:37, 11 May 2016
Pillow dome built by Jay Baldwin: The Ark houses a growing environment consisting of intensive organic gardens, irrigated by the "exhaust" from large, transparent tanks containing fish. (See aquaponics.) The aquaponic tanks also serve as an effective heat sink, allowing an indoor climate warm enough to grow bananas in February, in New England, with no fossil fuel heat source.
Inside the tropical Biome at Eden Project: The covered biomes are constructed from a tubular steel (hex-tri-hex) with mostly hexagonal external cladding panels made from the thermoplastic ETFE. Glass was avoided due to its weight and potential dangers. The cladding panels themselves are created from several layers of thin UV-transparent ETFE film, which are sealed around their perimeter and inflated to create a large cushion. The resulting cushion acts as a thermal blanket to the structure.
About
High-performance plastic materials such as PTFE ("Teflon") ETFE (Tefzel"). Very interesting properties such as UV resistance, elasticity, resistance to corrosion from most substances and better high temperature performance. Fluoropolymer foil is useful for things like greenhouse covering and for Aluminum Extraction From Clays. The UV resistance of these materials results in long life, with up to 30 years reported with minimal degradation.
Also, UV transmission leads to more "natural" light spectrum inside the greenhouse, suppressing microbes that may otherwise survive if UV light is blocked off. Fluoropolymers are slowly catching on as greenhouse covering but are still much more expensive than current alternatives such as polyethylene and polycarbonate. Drawbacks include high cost (10x that of polycarbonate), susceptibility to puncture holes and movement/wind, which is why fluoroplastic foil is often inflated as cushions (see images: "Pillow Dome" and "Eden Project"). Thicker membranes are possible but much more expensive.
Uses
- greenhouse covering (as foil)