EPDM membranes applications

EPDM Membrane Application in the Construction Industry for Roofing and Waterproofing... 

Sulfonated EPDMs are formulated to form a number of rubbery products including adhesives for footwear, garden hoses, and in the formation of calendered sheets. Perfluori-nated ionomers marketed as Nation (DuPont) are used for membrane applications including chemical-processing separations, spent-acid regeneration, electrochemical fuel cells, ion-selective separations, electrodialysis, and in the production of chlorine. It is also employed as a solid -state catalyst in chemical synthesis and processing. lonomers are also used in blends with other polymers. 

The use of plastics specifically in building construction is discussed in five sections in Chapter 3, by considering their structural, secondary structural and non-structural applications and also their use in polymeric coatings and EPDM membranes. Systems for condensation control is the theme of Chapter 4. 

Details of EPDM membrane and its applications in roofing is presented in Section 3.5. 

Bonding EPDM membrane with a cold adhesive is appropriate when structures are too light or roofs are steep with curves or sharp corners. Before application of the adhesive, the surface should be made smooth, clean, free from dust, oil, grease or other contaminates which may affect the adherence. This method is economical to cover all types of complex structures even on vertical walls. The sheets can be adhered to smooth surfaces of cement concrete, wood and metallic surfaces made of steel, aluminium, etc. An adhesive bonding system is also suitable for use on rigid insulation and old concrete roofing. 

The resistance of this class of polymers was reported in detail because they have multiple applications in the various economical branches [7, 83-85]. The natural ageing was also intensively studied because of the outdoor usage as cables, gaskets, membranes in various equipments. Because the permeability of EPDM membranes depends on their oxidation states, the prediction of oxygen diffusion is not enturely possible during or after weathering treatments [86]. 

More than 800 million pounds of EPM and EPDM polymers were produced in the United States in 2001. Their volume ranks these materials fourth behind styrene-1,3-butadiene copolymers, poly( 1,4-butadiene), and butyl rubber as synthetic rubbers. EPM and EPDM polymers have good chemical resistance, especially toward ozone. They are very cost-effective products since physical properties are retained when blended with large amounts of fillers and oil. Applications include automobile radiator hose, weather stripping, and roofing membrane. 

There are special applications where it is required that essentially no dissolution or reaction takes place between the membrane/module material and the process stream. One such application area is food and beverages. For these uses, not only the membrane material but also the housing and gasket materials need to pass certain tests for sanitary reasons (e.g., FDA approval). Stainless steel (especially the 316L type) is typically used as the casing material and fluorinated polymers, EPDM, silicon or other specialty... 

Uses of Ethylene-Propylene Rubbers. EPDM and EPR vulcanizates are used in extruded profiles, cable insulation and jacketing, and roofing membranes. There are many automotive uses radiator hose, door and trunk seals, insulation, jacketing, and others. These elastomers are also used in applications such as window and architectural profiles, dock fenders, and washing-machine hoses. In short, their applications are extensive and diverse. Ethylene-propylene rubbers may be the most versatile of general-purpose rubbers. In addition, EP rubbers are added to polyolefin plastics as impact modifiers and as components of certain thermoplastic elastomer compositions (e.g., thermoplastic vulcanizates, which are discussed later in this chapter). 

The elastomeric sheetings made out of butyl and polychloroprene rubbers were first introduced as barriers against water migration. In the early 1960s, EPDM rubbers were commercially available. Considering the superiority of EPDM-based membrane over other elastomers, its application to construction industry as moisture barrier was first introduced in the United States about 30 years ago. 

To meet these desirable properties, the appropriate polymer to consider would be ethylene - propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM). In the manufacture of a cost effective, impermeable membrane system, EPDM rubber is the right choice as a discreet material for improved waterproofing and protective lining applications in roofing and other uses in the construction sectors [125]. 

EPDM rubber sheet can be stretched up to 400% - it will not tear, crack or split but returns to its original position, shows unfailing flexibility. Because of these outstanding properties EPDM rubber-based membranes have many applications, which include the following [125] ... 

EPDM rubber-based membrane can meet the stringent requirements to prevent water seepage on roof tops, vertical walls, ground and basement walls in construction applications. 

Since little research had been reported on the application of thermal analysis (TA) methods to roofing, the committee recommended that more research be carried out to provide the technical basis for this application. The recommendation was based on research by Farlling and Backenstow and Flueler.I J These authors used TG, DSC, and DMA to characterize EPDM, PVC, and polymer-modified materials. Backenstow and Flueler reported the application of torsion pendulum analysis to characterize the above membrane materials. They concluded that TA techniques were useful for membrane characterization and should be investigated as methods for incorporation into standards. Previous work published by Cash on the use of DSC to characterize neoprene, chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) and PVC had shown that DSC could be used to identify not only the components in a single-ply sheet and the manufacturer, but also to differentiate between new and exposed materials. 

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