Top 8 Applications & Innovations with Norgard® Specialty Films

Maggie Bieniek
Maggie Bieniek
January 04, 2024 - 5 minutes
Explore Norgard Products Across Industries

As we welcome the New Year, we’re thrilled to unveil new opportunities, projects and products with both passion and promise. In 2024, our resolution is to better serve various markets with a broad product portfolio for specific bonding, protection and insulation needs. Whether our customers require high-strength bonding, permanent fixation, masking, cushioning, gasketing, thermal control, isolation, coil winding, harness wrapping or more, our unique products are here to meet the most demanding challenges. These products are part of the Norseal®, Norbond® and Norgard product portfolios.

With the exciting addition of the Norgard product family, we’re embracing 2024 and stepping into a new era of innovation. These unique film products enhance our capabilities and offerings in the electronics, life sciences, alternative energy, aerospace and other markets.

Here are the top 8 insights into the crucial role of Norgard Specialty Films, key applications and new innovations worth exploring!

Norgard Specialty Films
Norgard Speciality Films
Norgard® Specialty Films logo
Norgard® Speciality Films logo
1. Photovoltaic and Solar Applications

With the evolving solar industry, Norgard Specialty Films provide the necessary moisture barrier and protection required in solar panels. These films maximise efficiencies by enhancing light transmission and reducing glare. They have excellent transparency and resistance to corrosion, UV radiation and extreme temperatures. Due to electrical, surface, weather and thermal insulation properties, these products are ideal for providing electrical insulation and protection for the solar cells and associated components. Thin film solar cells can also transport charge carriers generated through sunlight absorption and convert it into electricity.

Wind turbines and solar panels
2. Aerospace and Composite Moulding

In aerospace applications, Norgard films offer game-changing solutions due to their ability to be customised, superior strength, conformability and use temperature of up to 400° F. FEP-RF and ETFE-RF Release films have exceptional chemical resistance in the most aggressive environments, making them ideal for composite aerospace moulding applications.

3. Filter Membranes

 

Norgard Zitex® demonstrates exceptional chemical compatibility and thermal stability, with the capability to endure any type of corrosive fluid. Naturally hydrophobic, Zitex prevents the passage of liquid solutions below their initiation pressures while allowing the unrestricted flow of gases. Thanks to these properties, Zitex products are the ideal hydrophobic venting material, providing pressure equalisation in liquid packaging containers. During chemical transport, they prevent vapour entrapment within the drum, ensuring it does not burst during transit, thereby guaranteeing safety and reliability. 

4. Protection of Signage

Signage isn’t going away anytime soon. It is more than just a cost-effective marketing solution to promote brand and product awareness; it also provides information and direction that can ensure we arrive when and where we need to. However, the longevity of signage depends on durability and the ability to withstand challenging environmental conditions. Norgard products, such as ETFE, work behind the scenes to alleviate and protect signage from extreme temperatures, chemical exposure, and the effects of long-term outdoor ageing.

Digital signage advertisement boards on public walkway
5. Life Science Materials

Due to low-temperature flexibility and chemical inertness, Norgard Specialty Films are the product of choice for use in medical and life science fluid bags. These bags are often used in genetic studies and biotechnology to collect, prepare and store tissue samples. Norgard products are optically transparent and have low haze. They possess excellent thermal and chemical resistance, anti-stick properties and are thermoformable and heat sealable. Their low-temperature flexibility makes them highly suitable for applications such as cryogenic sample bags.

6. Enabling Clean and Efficient Storage and Transport of Energy

As the search for clean sources of energy intensifies, innovations in material applications that support sustainable and responsible energy production cannot be overlooked. Norgard products are worth considering when it comes to both hydrogen production and distribution. They can provide hydrophobic barrier solutions within hydrogen fuel cells and electrolyzers when used as gaskets, seals, and separators. Designed to offer a range of properties such as high gas and moisture barrier, chemical resistance, thermal stability, and optical clarity, these products can be customised for specific performance requirements. In the most demanding environments, these products can improve the performance of electrolyzers and fuel cells, maximising the efficiency and lifespan of the cell stacks.

7. Supporting the Future of Agriculture

Indoor farming supports the next evolution of food production. With innovations in the greenhouse industries, sustainable growing is here to stay. It will transform agriculture as we know it by maximising crop yields and contributing to a reduction of the carbon footprint associated with food production. We’re exploring the many ways in which Norgard Specialty Films can be utilised to ensure excellent performance in architectural roofing designs and greenhouses. Lightweight film products, such as our ETFE, offer more durability than alternative solutions like polyesters. Additionally, they can be engineered to include specific filters within the films to provide ideal lighting and UV for specific plants to grow, improving crop productivity.

Vertical farming with hydroponic plants inside a greenhouse
8. Reliable and Long-Lasting Electronics

Our Norgard Specialty Films serve as an excellent dielectric insulator within electronic applications. They are ideal for wire insulation, circuit board insulation, and circuit board lamination to ensure both longevity and durability of various electronic appliances. Our E5 and E7 products provide lower dielectric constant values, minimising transmission losses in coaxial cables.

A Perfect Fit to the Bonding, Protection and Insulation Solutions Portfolio

Without a doubt, the Norgard Specialty Film product line is a perfect fit for our family of products due to their release capability, protection capabilities with solar, sign and greenhouse applications, and insulation capabilities in areas such as electronics or wire and cable.

In a future where innovation meets reliability, you can rely on our products and team of experts to meet your specific needs and overcome your toughest application challenges. Not to mention — our advanced testing capabilities, regional support and global resources are available when ordinary simply isn’t enough. Bespoke solutions can ensure a seamless fit to your specific needs.