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Author
Rossiter, W. J., Jr. | Martin, J. W. | Lechner, J. A. | Seiler, J. E., Jr.
Title
How to Enhance EPDM's Creep-Rupture Resistance.
Coporate
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
Journal
Professional Roofing, Vol. 22, No. 7, 24-28, July 1992
Book or Conf
Roofing and Waterporrfing Congress, 8th International, Madrid, Spaid, 1992
Keywords
membranes | creep tests | rupture | adhesives | roofs | peel strength
Abstract
Vulcanized ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) rubber reportedly comprises about one-third of the low-sloped roofing membranes applied annually in the U.S. To pinpoint factors affecting seam performance in these membranes, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is sampling field installations. These studies have already shown that one of the important factors is the thickness of the adhesive layer in EPDM seams. Results of lab studies, wherein seam specimens were evaluated under creep-rupture conditions in a peel configuration, shown that specimens having thick layers of adhesive are markedly more resistant to delamination than those having relatively thin layers. In contrast, results from previously analyzed field samples show that adhesive layers of field-fabricated seams are relatively thin in relation to the adhesive layers of the more creep-resistant laboratory-prepared specimens.