About architectural membranes:

• The applications of architectural membranes include construction of permanent and semi-permanent structures such as:
• Car park covers,
• Cafes,
• Walkways,
• Hotels,
• Outdoor entertainment areas,
• Pool surrounds,
• Greenhouses,
• Airports, stadiums,
• Sports halls,
• Exhibitions and display halls,
• Storage bases for industrial and military supplies and any venues that require protection against harsh UV rays, heat, glare, rain and wind.

• The textile structures used for construction material can be classified into the following types:

• Clear-span structures: These structures provide a clear space beneath the fabric, free from supporting elements. Clear span structures are less permanent than air or tensile structures however, they accommodate doors, flooring, insulation, electricity and HVAC easily as compared to tents.

• Tension structures: In this structure, the fabric is supported by metal pylons, tensioning cables, wooden or metal frameworks. A relatively minimal rigid support system is required for these structures since the fabric carries most of the load.

• Air Structures: The main components of an air supported system are the envelope (fabric), inflation system (fans), anchorage system (cables and foundation), doors and access equipment. Air pressure inside the envelope provides tensioning and maintains required configuration and stability.

Product characteristics

• Architectural membranes are strong, energy efficient and aesthetically superior products that offer flexibility to designers and architects thus, allowing high levels of creativity. The textile material used for construction purpose is expected to be:
• Waterproof
• Fire retardant
• Resistant to deformation and extension under tension
• Impermeable to air and wind
• Resistant to abrasion and mechanical damage
• Resistant to sunlight and acid rain
• Resistant to microbial attack

Raw material:

• Depending on application, the fabric may need to transmit or reflect different levels of light. The most widely used materials are:

• PVC coated polyester

• PVC coated high tenacity polyester fabric with weight ranging from 600 GSM to 1100 GSM is used for construction applications.
• The polyester base cloth is used because of its durability, strength and relatively low cost. The base cloth is coated with PVC to impart the color, strength and waterproof properties.
• Different types of top-coatings include acrylic solutions, PVDF solutions and PVF film laminations.
• Acrylic topcoat
• Poly vinylidene fluoride topcoat
• PVDF/PVC top-coating
• Tedlar top-coating

• Poly tetra fluoroethylene (PTFE) coated glass fabric

• PTFE coated glass fabric is a commonly specified stuff due to its life expectancy of 30 years, depending on environment.
• The woven fiberglass is flame-resistant, tough and does not undergo significant stress relaxation.

Technology used:

• Weaving
• Knitting
• Coating