Experimental Assessment and Thermal Characterization of Ethylene TetraFluoroEthylene ETFE Foil

Co-polymer facade materials have been a recent and popular option in the building industry as an alternative to glazing. Ethylene TetraFluoroEthylene (ETFE) is a promising case in this category. ETFE has been successfully used in many high-profile projects as an innovative solution to energy-conscious design challenges. In addition, ETFE presents significant savings in cost and structural support requirements, compared with conventional glazing, due to its low weight, and the potential for energy performance benefits due to its relatively high visible light transmittance. There is a lack of detailed published data reporting its thermal behaviour. This study focuses on the examination of heat transfer through the ETFE membrane, surface temperatures, heat losses and solar gains. The paper examines the impact of the material on the overall energy use of a building, as well as thermal comfort and interior conditions. Through field-testing the research will inspect the material’s thermal properties to obtain results that will assist in evaluating the suitability of ETFE use in a broader spectrum of building applications. Such an assessment of performance will provide information for further investigation to improve the material’s features and optimise energy performance.