InTeM - Insulated Tensioned Membrane.  

Architects can now specify a new form of insulative fabric with assurance it will acheive the exciting architectural froms possible with tension membranes and satisfy thermal insulation requirements. It is safe to handle, does not disintegrate and can be used in aggressive environments.  

In 2010 InTeM (Patent Pending) was developed by Oasis Tension Structures and in the same year Oasis was awarded its first project, the Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre project in Melbourne, making use of this technology.

Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre provided a comprehensive test of the flexibility of InTeM as the surface form is a highly curved eccentric cone on an inclined elliptical base over an indoor activity pool with a waterslide penetrating the fabric structure.

Single skin fabric structures have very low insulative qualities being only 1mm thick. Insulative qualities can be improved by entrapment of air between two layers of fabric but this requires controlled separation and two clamp lines. Even better performance is achievable by encapsulating an insulative material in the structure.

InTeM is a composite system of tensioned membrane with a blanket of cross linked closed cell polyethylene foam sandwiched between an inner and outer layer of architectural coated fabric fabricated as a single composite structure that can be tensioned into position along a single clamp line.

The insulation blanket is constructed of layers of foam blanket. The thickness of the blanket is dictated by the thermal insulation requirements of the particular application. In the case of Glen Eira Sports and Aquatic Centre we constructed a 24mm thick blanket which achieves a U value of 1.1W/m2K.

The inner and outer layers can be fabricated from PTFE coated glass weave fabrics or more affordable PVC coated polyester weave fabrics with PVDF lacquers. The insulation blanket is compatible with both types of fabric.

InTeM is a Registered Trade Mark. All Rights Reserved.