PTFE-coated fabric takes on Mother Nature

A high-tech canopy helped shield Germany's new Federal Chancellery cabinet ministers from the elements during a group photo taken in Berlin's Ehrenhof (Courtyard of Honor). Architect Axel Schultes constructed the translucent 2,600 ft² (240 m²) membrane out of glass fabric coated with PTFE and fluorothermoplastic materials from Dyneon, a 3M Co., Oakdale, Minn. (www.dyneon.com). The distinctive-looking canopy blends in with the existing architecture while still affording optimum lighting conditions.

The high-performance fluoropolymer coatings increase the fabric's service life and reduce maintenance. PTFE and fluorothermoplastic coatings provide smooth, nonstick surfaces, which makes the glass fabric virtually self-cleaning with every rainfall. The coatings should also help retain the fabric's natural, light color over time. The canopy membrane weighs less than 1.5 kg/m² and boasts a tensile strength greater than 11 tons/m². This lets the material stand up to harsh weather including torrential rains and hailstorms. -- Jean Hoffman