Polymer blends for heat seamable roof sheeting and method for covering roofs

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to sheeting material used for covering roofs. More particularly the sheeting material comprises a blend of an ethylenepropylene-diene terpolymer, referred to herein as EPDM, or ethylene-propylene copolymer, referred to herein as EPR, or other similar olefin type polymers with a crystallinity enhancing polymer. A method is also provided for covering roofs which includes the step of employing an uncured, self-adhering EPDM, EPR or similar polyolefin sheeting material of the present invention.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Polymeric roof sheeting is used as single ply roofing membrane for covering industrial and commercial flat roofs. Such membranes are generally applied to the roof surface in vulcanized or cured state.
Because of outstanding weathering resistance and flexibility, cured EPDM based roof sheeting has been rapidly gaining acceptance. This material normally is prepared by vulcanizing uncured composition in the presence of sulfur or sulfur containing compounds such as mercaptans. Our earlier U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,020 also teaches the use of radiation crosslinking promoters in an EPDM sheeting composition which can be cured by ionizing radiation.
Notwithstanding the usefulness of radiation and sulfur curing, a disadvantage with utilizing these elastomers is the lack of adhesion of EPDM, especially cured EPDM, to itself. This is a serious problem because in applying EPDM sheets to a roof, it is usually necessary to splice the cured EPDM sheets together. This splice or seam area is subjected to both short term and long term stresses such as those caused by roof movement, heavy winds, freeze-thaw cycling and thermal cycling. Such stresses may manifest themselves in shear forces or peel forces, i.e., the seam peels back under severe stress conditions or results in a partially open seam (often referred to as a fishmouth condition) under less severe conditions.
In view of the foregoing problem, it has been necessary to utilize an adhesive to bond the cured EPDM sheets together. As will be evident from the above discussion, an adhesive for bonding cured EPDM elastomer roofing sheets together must meet a number of requirements which are extremely difficult to satisfy. Thus, the adhesive must provide sufficient peel and adhesive strength to permit the splice formed by bonding the cured EPDM roofing sheets together to resist both short term and long term or stress conditions referred to hereinabove. Moreover, the adhesive must be resistant to oxidation, hydrolysis and chemical attach from ponded water. Additionally, the adhesive must provide the important property often referred to in the adhesive art as "Quick Stick". The term "Quick Stick" means the characteristics of two sheets of material which have been coated with an adhesive composition to develop virtually immediate adhesive strength when placed in contact with each other.
Quick Stick is an extremely important property in an adhesive which is utilized to splice cured EPDM elastomer roofing sheets together. Thus, adhesive compositions presently known generally require anywhere from about two (2) to about seven (7) days at room temperature (i.e. 22.degree. C.) to attain maximum adhesive strength. At higher ambient temperature, this time period may be somewhat less, but at minimum it will generally be at least 24 hours. The conventional procedure for splicing the EPDM roofing sheets together is to make the splice within a relatively short period of time after the adhesive coating has been applied to each sheet, generally within 30 minutes but often less. Accordingly, the adhesive composition must provide sufficient immediate adhesive strength or Quick Stick to permit the splice to withstand stresses from winds, movement, handling by installers, etc. until the adhesive achieves its maximum strength which as indicated will generally take from two (2) to seven (7) days.
Commercial contact adhesives which are conventionally employed for bonding cured EPDM elastomer roofing sheets together generally consist of solutions of neoprene or neoprene-type or butyl or butyl-type polymers in aromatic or aromatic-aliphatic solvents containing 2-butanone often along with tackifying resins. However, such adhesives have not proven to be very satisfactory due to their lower than desirable peel adhesion strengths. Thus, the neoprene or butyl-type adhesives often provide peel adhesion values at 22.degree. C. of only 1 to 2 pounds per linear inch.
Pressure sensitive and contact adhesive compositions containing neutralized, partially neutralized or unneutralized sulfonate elastomers, tackifying resins and organic solvents or organic solvent mixtures are known in the prior art as shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,531 and 3,867,247.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,531 relates to pressure sensitive adhesive compositions which contain thiouronium derivatives of unsaturated elastomers or neutralized, partially neutralized or unneutralized sulfonated elastomers including sulfonated EPDM, tackifying resins including phenol formaldehyde or alkylphenol formaldehyde resins and organic solvents or organic solvent mixtures including a preferred 90:10 mixture of toluene and isopropyl alcohol. However, the patent does not disclose or suggest the use of alkylphenols or ethoxylated alkylphenols in such compositions.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,867,247 relates to adhesive contact cements which contain neutralized, partially neutralized or unneutralized sulfonated butyl elastomers, tackifying resins including phenol formaldehyde or alkylphenol formaldehyde resins and organic solvents or organic solvent mixtures including a preferred 90:10 mixture of toluene and isopropyl alcohol. However, the patent does not disclose or suggest the use of alkylphenols or ethoxylated alkylphenols in such compositions.
The adhesive compositions described in the aforementioned patents suffer from a significant disadvantage which materially limits their usefulness as a contact adhesive for bonding cured EPDM elastomer roofing sheets together and that is their deficiency in Quick Stick properties.
One such adhesive system for EPDM elastomers that provides good Quick Stick is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,480,012, owned by the Assignee of record herein. Such adhesives comprise a neutralized sulfonated EPDM elastomeric terpolymer; an organic hydrocarbon solvent; a para-alkylated phenol formaldehyde tackifying resin and an alkylphenol or ethoxylated alkylphenol. While the use of such adhesive compositions is an effective means of joining and sealing the edges of elastomeric roofing material, if the use of adhesives could be eliminated, the additional labor material costs and related hardware necessary to apply the adhesive would effect a significant cost savings. Moreover, elimination of the need to cure the material prior to its application to a roof would also be advantageous.
Of course, the use of EPDM rubber is not limited to roofing materials, In order to increase use of EPDM and enhance its useful properties it is known to form blends with other polymers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,194, for instance, discloses blends of crystalline and amorphous polymers, such as EPR type rubbers, which provide uncured thermoplastic elastomers having good physical properties and weatherability. Typical of such blends are those comprising from about 5 to about 45 percent by weight of an amorphous ethylene-propylene elastomer having less than 65 percent by weight of ethylene; from about 55 to about 95 percent by weight of an crystalline ethylene-propylene elastomer having at least 60 percent by weight of ethylene; and, from about 2 to about 35 parts by weight of a crystalline polymer made from an olefin monomer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,362, provides polymer alloys, or blends, which comprise a highly unsaturated rubbery polymer, a modified EPDM and at least one thermoplastic polyolefin. The blends are formed in order to take advantage of the properties of the unsaturated rubbery polymer and the EPDM, which polymers are difficult to blend. By modifying the EPDM with N-chlorothio-sulfonamides, they become co-curable with the unsaturated rubbery polymer.
This patent also notes in the Background section that blends of thermoplastic materials, such as polypropylene, with EPDM have been found to possess superior strength, high temperature mechanical properties and good compression set. U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,535 discloses thermoplastic elastomers which comprise 25-75 weight percent of thermoplastic polyolefin resin, such as polypropylene, and 75-25 weight percent of monoolefin copolymer rubber, such as EPDM.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide polymer blends for heat seamable roof sheeting materials that need not be cured.
It is another object of the present invention to provide polymer blends for heat seamable roof sheeting materials which eliminate the need for a solvent-based splicing adhesive and the related labor and hardware necessary for mixing and application thereof.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide polymer blends comprising EPDM, EPR, or other similar olefinic type polymers and a crystallinity enhancing polymer which improves the green strength and splice adhesion of heat seamable roof sheeting materials.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a method for covering roofs which employs polymer blend heat seamable roof sheeting materials which do not require curing and which can be joined and seamed together at their edges without the use of adhesives.
In general the present invention relates to a self-adhering heat seamable sheet material for roofing prepared from an uncured polymeric composition of matter comprising 100 parts by weight of a polymer blend comprising from about 10 to 95 parts by weight of semi-crystalline polyolefins having more than about 2 percent by weight and polyolefins having up to about 2 percent by weight crystallinity, which polyolefins are prepared from monomers having at least 2 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof and from about 5 to 90 parts by weight of a crystallinity enhancing polymer; from about 20 to 300 parts by weight of a filler selected from the group consisting of reinforcing and non-reinforcing materials and mixtures thereof per 100 parts of the polymer blend; and from about 20 to 150 parts by weight of a processing material and mixtures thereof, per 100 parts of the polymer blend.
A method for covering a roof is also provided and comprises the steps of applying layers of self-adhering sheet material prepared from an uncured heat seamable, polymeric composition of matter comprising blends of polyolefins, semi-crystalline polyolefins and crystallinity enhancing polymers, to the roof being covered; overlapping adjacent edges of the layers; heating the overlapped areas to about the softening point of the sheet material and seaming the overlapped areas under sufficient pressure to provide an acceptable seam strength the composition of matter having sufficient self-adhesion, without the use of an adhesive.
At least one or more of the foregoing objects which shall become apparent to those skilled in the art are described in greater detail with reference to the specification which follows.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
As noted hereinabove, the roof sheeting materials of the present invention comprise a blend of EPDM, EPR or similar olefin type polymers with crystallinity enhancing polymers. The term EPDM is used in the sense of its definition as found in ASTM D-1418-85 and is intended to mean a terpolymer of ethylene, propylene and a diene monomer. Illustrative methods for preparing such terpolymers are found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,280,082 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The preferred terpolymers contain from about 60 to about 95 weight percent ethylene and from about zero to about 12 weight percent of the diene with the balance of the terpolymer being propylene or some other similar olefin type polymer.
The diene monomer utilized in forming the EPDM terpolymer is preferably a non-conjugated diene. Illustrative examples of non-conjugated dienes which may be employed are dicyclopentadiene, alkyldicyclopentadiene, 1,4-pentadiene, 1,4-hexadiene, 1,5-hexadiene, 1,4-heptadiene, 2-methyl- 1,5-hexadiene, cyclooctadiene, 1,4-octadiene, 1,7-octadiene, 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, 5-n-propylidene-2-norbornene, 5-(2-methyl-2-butenyl)-2-norbornene and the like. A typical EPDM is Vistalon.RTM. MD-744 (Exxon Chemical Co.) a terpolymer having a Mooney Viscosity (ML/4 at 125.degree. C.) of about 52; an ethylene/propylene (E/P) ratio of 61/39 weight percent and 2.7 weight percent of unsaturation.
Particularly useful and preferred EPDM materials include Royalene.RTM. 375 (Uniroyal Chemical Co.); and EPsyn.RTM. 5508 (Copolymer Rubber & Chemical Corporation). Royalene.RTM. 375 has a Mooney Viscosity (ML/4 at 125.degree. C.) of about 50.8; an E/P ratio of 75/25 weight percent and about 2.0 weight percent of unsaturation (dicyclopentadiene). EPsyn.RTM. 5508 has a Mooney Viscosity (ML/4 at 125.degree. C.) of about 55.6; and E/P ratio of 73/27 weight percent and about 3.7 weight percent of unsaturation.
The term EPR is used in the sense of its definition as found in ASTM D-1418 and is intended to mean a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. The preferred copolymers contain from about 60 to 95 weight percent ethylene with the balance to total 100 weight percent being propylene. A typical EPR is Vistalon.RTM. 719 (Exxon Chemical Co.) having an ethylene/propylene ratio of about 75/25 weight percent.
To be useful as a roofing material in the present invention it is preferred that the EPDM have at least about 2 weight percent crystallinity, from the ethylene component; an Mn as measured by GPC of at least about 30,000 and an Mw, as measured by GPC of at least about 100,000. Similarly, the EPR should have at least about 2 weight percent crystallinity (ethylene); an Mn, as measured by GPC of at least about 30,000 and an Mw, as measured by GPC of at least about 100,000. We have found that the selection of an EPDM or EPR having high crystallinity (at least 2 percent by weight) and weight average molecular weight (Mw=100,000) is necessary to provide a roofing material which does not require curing prior to application, if ever, and which does not require any type of adhesive, solvent-based or the like, to join and seam the spliced edges.
Also useful as a roofing material in the present invention is a copolymer of ethylene and butene. This particular copolymer has about 82 weight percent ethylene with the balance to total 100 weight percent being butene. A typical ethylene/butene copolymer is GERS-1085 (Union Carbide Corporation) having an Mn, as measured by GPC of at least about 49,000 and an Mw, as measured by GPC of at least about 221,000. Other similar olefinic type polymers can be used to practice this invention. Generally speaking any semi-crystalline polymer having more than about 2 percent by weight crystallinity and selected from the group consisting of polyolefins prepared from monomers containing at least 2 carbon atoms can be employed. For purposes of discussion herein, references to EPDM, EPR or similar olefinic polymers is intended to include any of the semi-crystalline polymers of the present invention.
In addition to the foregoing polyolefins, other polyolefins having up to about 2 percent by weight crystallinity and prepared from monomers having at least 2 carbon atoms can be employed. These polyolefins have a lower crystallinity than the polyolefins having a crystallinity greater than 2 percent and can be utilized in any amount, from 0 parts to 100 parts, with the higher crystallinity polyolefins. Again, for ease of discussion, this component of the polymeric composition of matter may be referred to herein as EPDM, EPR or other polyolefin.
The composition or compound employed to form the roof sheeting material comprises a blend of 100 total parts by weight of EPDM, EPR or other similar type olefin type polymers, including mixtures of two or more types, and a crystallinity enhancing polymer to which is added basically fillers and processing oil as well as optionally other components including curatives, all of which are discussed hereinbelow.
The crystallinity enhancing polymers of the present invention are selected from the group consisting of polyolefin homopolymers, random copolymers and block copolymers. Homopolymers include polyethylene and polypropylene. Random copolymers include poly(ethylene-co-propylene) copolymers. Block copolymers include poly(ethylene-b-octene) and poly(ethylene-b-butene) copolymers. Mixtures of the foregoing polymers can be employed or a single polymer can be employed to comprise the polymeric blend, with the EPDM or EPR polymer comprising from about 10 to 95 parts by weight for a total of 100 parts of polymer.
Typical examples of commercially available crystallinity enhancing polymer additives that can be blended with EPDM, EPR or other similar polyolefins, materials have been set forth in Table I along with melting temperatures and percent of crystallinity.
TABLE I______________________________________CRYSTALLINITY ENHANCING POLYMERS Tm. .degree.C. % crystallinity______________________________________ETHYLENE HOMOPOLYMERSPOLYWAX 2000.sup.a 128 89.9POLYWAX 3000.sup.b 121 93.2LDPE 722.sup.c 112 39.1LDPE 132.sup.d 109 27.7LDPE 640.sup.e 113 39.9LDPE 768.sup.f 119 45.8LDPE CG-2523.sup.g 111 53.6HDPE 12065.sup.h 134 66.8HDPE 62013.sup.i 131 61.2PETROLITE E-2020.sup.j 116 85.9POLYPROPYLENEHOMOPOLYMERSEASTOBOND D-7682-109S.sup.k 153 4.7A-FAX 500.sup.l 155 5.8ETHYLENE/PROPYLENECOPOLYMERSRLX-020.sup.m 152 35.8ETHYLENE/OCTENECOPOLYMERSATRANE 4003.sup.n 123 36.9ATRANE 4001.sup.o 124 35.0DOWLEX .RTM. 2047A.sup.p 124 39.8DOWLEX .RTM. 2045.sup.q 124 42.2DOWLEX .RTM. 2038.sup.r 127 53.6DOWLEX .RTM. 2027.sup.s 113 41.5ETHYLENE/BUTENECOPOLYMERGERS-1085.sup.t 71 2.3______________________________________ .sup.a High melting polyethylene having a molecular weight of about 2000 (Petrolite) .sup.b High melting polyethylene having a molecular weight of about 3000 (Petrolite) .sup.c Low density polyethylene resin, density 0.916 (Dow Chemical) .sup.d Low density polyethylene resin, density 0.919 (Dow Chemical) .sup.e Low density polyethylene resin, density 0.922 (Dow Chemical) .sup.f Low density polyethylene resin, density 0.930 (Dow Chemical) .sup.g Low density polyethylene resin, density 0.923 (Dow Chemical) .sup.h High density polyethylene resin, density 0.94 (Dow Chemical) .sup.i High density polyethylene resin, density 0.94 (Dow Chemical) .sup.j Petroleumderived oxidized hydrocarbon having an acid number of 22 (Petrolite) .sup.k Amorphous polypropylene (Eastman Chemical) .sup.l Amorphous polypropylene (Himont, USA, Inc.) .sup.m Ethylene/propylene copolymer (2% Ethylene) molecular weight about 400,000 (Phillip's Petroleum) .sup.n Ethyleneoctene copolymer, density 0.905 (Dow Chemical) .sup.o Ethyleneoctene copolymer, density 0.912 (Dow Chemical) .sup.p Ethyleneoctene copolymer, density 0.917 (Dow Chemical) .sup.q Ethyleneoctane copolymer, density 0.920 (Dow Chemical) .sup.r Ethyleneoctene copolymer, density 0.935 (Dow Chemical) .sup.s Ethyleneoctane copolymer, density 0.941 (Dow Chemical) .sup.t Ethylenebutene copolymer (about 82% ethylene), density 0.884 (Unio Carbide Corporation)
The crystallinity enhancing polymers are necessary, or of greater importance, when the polymer blend comprises increasing amounts of polyolefins having less than 2 percent by weight crystallinity. However, even if the polyolefin selected is exclusively one having crystallinity greater than 2 percent by weight, the presence of a crystallinity enhancing polymer of the present invention provides increased adhesion, as reflected in higher peel and shear adhesion values reported hereinbelow.
With respect to the filler, suitable fillers are selected from the group consisting of reinforcing and non-reinforcing materials, and mixtures thereof, as are customarily added to rubber. Examples include both inorganic and organic materials such as carbon black, ground coal, calcium carbonate, clay, silica, cryogenically ground rubber and the like. Generally, preferred fillers include carbon black, ground coal and cryogenically ground rubber.
Carbon black is used in an amount of about 20 parts to about 300 parts per 100 parts of the polymer blend (phr), preferably in an amount of about 60 to about 150 phr. The preferred range of carbon black herein (60 to 150 phr) is about equal to the amount of carbon black normally used in preparing sulfur cured EPDM sheeting. The carbon black useful herein is any carbon black. Preferred are furnace blacks such as GPF (general purpose furnace), FEF (fast extrusion furnace) and SRF (semi-reinforcing furnace).
The ground coal employed as a filler in the compositions of the invention is a dry, finely divided black powder derived from a low volatile bituminous coal. The ground coal has a particle size ranging from a minimum of 0.26 microns to a maximum of 2.55 microns with the average particle size of 0.69.+-.0.46 as determined on 50 particles using Transmission Electron Microscopy. The ground coal produces an aqueous slurry having a pH of about 7.0 when tested in accordance with ASTM D-1512. A preferred ground coal of this type is designated Austin Black which has a specific gravity of 1.22.+-.0.03, an ash content of 4.58% and a sulfur content of 0.65%. Austin Black is commercially available from Coal Fillers, Inc., P.O. Box 1063, Bluefield, Va. Amounts range from about 5 to 65 phr with about 15 to 35 being preferred.
Finally, essentially any cryogenically ground rubber may be employed as a filler in the composition of the invention. The preferred cryogenically ground rubbers are cryogenically ground EPDM, butyl, neoprene and the like. A preferred cryogenically ground rubber is a cryogenically ground EPDM rubber. The preferred cryogenically ground EPDM rubber is a fine black rubbery powder having a specific gravity of 1.129.+-.0.015 and a particle size ranging from about 30 to about 300 microns with an average particle size ranging from about 50 to about 80 microns. Amounts range from about 5 to 40 phr with about 10 to 25 being preferred.
Mixtures of Austin black and cryogenically ground rubber useful herein may be utilized as a partial replacement for carbon black. Where mixtures of these two fillers are employed the relative amounts thereof can be widely varied; the overall total not exceeding about 60 phr. The ratio of Austin black to cryogenically ground rubber may range from a desired ratio of 2:1 to perhaps even a ratio of 3:1. Amounts thereof fall within the range of amounts normally employed in preparing sulfur cured conventional roof sheeting.
With respect to the processing material, it is included to improve the processing behavior of the composition (i.e. reduce mixing time and increase rate of sheet forming) and includes processing oils, waxes and the like). The process oil is included in an amount ranging from about 20 parts to about 150 parts process oil phr, preferably in an amount ranging from about 60 parts to about 135 phr. A preferred processing oil is a paraffinic oil, e.g. Sunpar 2280 which is available from the Sun Oil Company. Other petroleum derived oils including naphthenic oils are also useful.
Optional ingredients include, for example, other elastomers (e.g., butyl elastomer, neutralized sulfonated EPDM, neutralized sulfonated butyl) in place of minor amounts of the EPDM, secondary inorganic fillers (e.g., talc, mica, clay, silicates, whiting) with total secondary filler content usually ranging from about 10 to about 150 phr, and conventional amounts of other conventional agents, such as zinc oxide, stearic acid, antioxidants, antiozonants, flame retardants, and the like.
Regarding curatives, sulfur is preferred in amounts of about 0.3 to 2 phr. As noted hereinabove, the roof sheeting compound is not cured prior to application and needed not be cured subsequent thereto. The presence of sulfur enhances bonding of the seams.
The compounding ingredients can be admixed, utilizing an internal mixer (such as a Banbury mixer), an extruder, and/or a two-roll mill, or other mixers suitable for forming a viscous relatively uniform admixtures. When utilizing a type B Banbury internal mixer, in a preferred mode, the dry or powdery materials such as carbon black are added first followed by the liquid process oil and finally EPDM or other polyolefin and crystallinity enhancing polymer (this type of mixing can be referred to as an upside-down mixing technique).
The resulting admixture is sheeted to thickness ranging from 5 to 200 mils, preferably from 35 to 60 mils, by conventional sheeting methods, for example, milling, calendering or extrusion. Preferably, the admixture is sheeted to at least 40 gauge (0.040 inches) which is the minimum thickness specified in standards set by the Roofing Council of the Rubber Manufacturers Association for non-reinforced black EPDM rubber sheets for use in roofing applications. In many cases, the admixture is sheeted to 40-45 gauge thickness since this is the thickness for a large percentage of "single-ply" roofing membranes used commercially. The sheeting can be cut to desired length and width dimensions at this time.
The method of the present invention is practiced by utilizing an EPDM or EPR based elastomeric composite sheet material as described herein. As the sheet is unrolled over the roof substructure in an otherwise conventional fashion, the seams of adjacent sheet layers are overlapped. Overlapping (seam width) can vary according to meet the environment as well as the requirements specified by the architect, building contractor or roofing contractor and thus, does not constitute a limitation of the present invention.
Assuming an overlap of several inches, the next step is to apply heat and pressure to the edge area to form the seam. Temperature is conveniently applied from about 80.degree. to 550.degree. C. Generally, the seam area, comprising overlapping edges of adjacent sheets, should be heated to about the softening point of the sheet material. Numerous techniques which utilize heat and pressure can be used to produce an effective seam as are known to those skilled in the art. Pressure can vary widely from a minimum of about 3 psi up to about 60 psi, typically so long as it is adequate to provide an acceptable seam strength.
In order to demonstrate practice of the present invention, several compounds were prepared and subjected to both peel and shear adhesion tests, as will now be set forth in detail. The EPDM polymers selected included Royalene.RTM. 375; EPsyn.RTM. 5508: and Vistalon.RTM. MD-744. Characterization of each of the polymers is presented in Table II hereinbelow.
TABLE II______________________________________POLYMER CHARACTERIZATION STUDY Royalene .RTM. EPsyn .RTM. Vistalon .RTM. GERS 375 5508 MD-744 1085______________________________________ML/4 at 125.degree. C. 51 55 53 30Ethylene Content, 76 73 60 82wt %Crystallinity, 14.6 9.2 <1 2.3wt %Tg, .degree.C. (by DSC) -50.6 -43.6 -56.4 -64.6Tm, .degree.C. 49.3 40.1 41.6 45, 70(by DSC)Unsaturation, % 2.0 3.8 2.7 --Type of un- DCPD.sup.a ENB.sup.b ENB.sup.b --saturation-- Mn 69,500 97,800 73,200 49,100-- Mw 190,300 229,100 360,400 221,700-- Mn/-- Mw ratio 2.85 2.34 4.92 4.52______________________________________ .sup.a dicyclopentadiene .sup.b 5ethylidene-2-norbornene
The polymers in Table II, except for Vistalon.RTM. MD-744 and GERS-1085 (ethylene/butene copolymer), differ from other commercially available EPDM's (i.e., Royalene.RTM. 3180, Royalene.RTM. 2859, Vistalon.RTM. 2200, etc.), in that, they are highly crystalline, high ethylene containing polymers. However many of the other polymer properties listed above are similar to most of the commercially available EPDM terpolymers.

The following examples are submitted for the purpose of further illustrating the nature of the present invention and are not to be considered as a limitation on the scope thereof. Pans and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise indicated.
TABLE IIIA______________________________________COMPOSITION OF EPDMAND CRYSTALLINITY ENHANCING POLYMER BLENDSExample No. 1* 2 3 4 5 6 7______________________________________Royalene .RTM. 375 -- -- 85 -- 60 60 75GERS - 1085 -- 100 -- -- -- -- --Vistalon .RTM. MD-744 100 -- -- 65 -- -- --Polywax 2000 -- -- 15 -- -- -- --LDPE - 768 -- -- -- 35 40 -- --Dowlex .RTM. 2027A -- -- -- -- -- 40 --LDPE - 132 -- -- -- -- -- -- 25Dowlex .RTM. 2038 -- -- -- -- -- -- --Dowlex .RTM. 2049A -- -- -- -- -- -- --HDPE - 12065 -- -- -- -- -- -- --HDPE - 62013 -- -- -- -- -- -- --HiStr GPF black 130 128 128 128 128 128 128Sunpar 2280 oil 88 90 90 90 90 90 90Sulfur 0.90 -- -- -- -- -- --Austin black -- 16 16 16 16 16 16Zinc oxide 4 -- -- -- -- -- --Stearic acid 1 -- -- -- -- -- --Curing Ingredients 3.3 -- -- -- -- -- --Total 327.2 334.0 334.0 334.0 334.0 334.0 334.0______________________________________ *Sulfur cured conventional black EPDM membrane
TABLE IIIB______________________________________COMPOSITION OF EPDM ANDCRYSTALLINITY ENHANCING POLYMER BLENDSExample No. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14______________________________________Royalene .RTM. 375 50 50 50 75 75 75 75GERS - 1085 -- -- -- -- -- -- --Vistalon .RTM. MD-744 -- -- -- -- -- -- --Polywax 2000 -- -- -- -- -- -- --LDPE - 768 -- -- -- 25 -- -- --Dowlex .RTM. 2027A -- -- -- -- 25 -- --LDPE - 132 -- -- -- -- -- -- --Dowlex .RTM. 2038 50 -- -- -- -- -- --Dowlex .RTM. 2049A -- 50 -- -- -- -- --HDPE - 12065 -- -- 50 -- -- 25 --HDPE - 62013 -- -- -- -- -- -- 25HiStr GPF black 128 128 128 128 128 128 128Sunpar 2280 oil 90 90 90 90 90 90 90Sulfur -- -- -- -- -- -- --Austin black 16 16 16 16 16 16 16Zinc oxide -- -- -- -- -- -- --Stearic acid -- -- -- -- -- -- --Total 334.0 334.0 334.0 334.0 334.0 334.0 334.0______________________________________
In the examples illustrated in Tables IIIA and B, Example No. 1 provided a sulfur cured black EPDM membrane. The sulfur cured EPDM was prepared utilizing standard rubber mixing techniques and equipment by mixing together the following ingredients: 100 parts EPDM terpolymer, 130 phr carbon black, 88 phr paraffinic process oil, 4 phr zinc oxide, 1 phr stearic acid, 0.9 phr sulfur and 3.3 phr rubber curing ingredients. The remaining examples Nos. 2-14 comprised only the polymeric material, filler and processing oil to provide compounds that could be sheeted and tested without curing. Complete formulations for each example appear in Tables IIIA and B, hereinabove with all parts given on the basis of parts per hundred parts of rubber (phr) by weight, unless otherwise specified.
DETAILED PEEL AND SHEAR ADHESION TEST PROCEDURE
Each of the above rubber compounds was subjected to adhesion testing which necessitated the building of test pads comprising 6.times.6 inch sheets reinforced by a fiber reinforcement scrim, according to the following procedure:
1. A 10.times.20-inch two roll mill was utilized to prepare a number of 6.times.6-inch sheets of rubber approximately 40 mils in thickness for building adhesion test pads.
2. In order to reinforce the uncured sheets of rubber, a 6.times.6-inch sheet of PVC treated polyester scrim (10.times.10 epi cord construction) was inserted between two 6.times.6-inch sheets of rubber.
3. The rubber-scrim assembly was covered with a layer of a Mylar film and placed in the cavity of a metal curing mold (6.times.6.times.0.075-inch).
4. The rubber-scrim assembly was then pressed in a Mylar film for about five minutes at about 149.degree. C.
5. Two of the 6.times.6-inch scrim reinforced rubber pads were seamed together using a hand-held heating gun (Leister). Approximately 15 to 18 pounds force was supplied by means of a roller such as a standard two-inch wide metal roller. Satisfactory seams (either peel or shear) could be formed using only 3 to 4 pounds force and the standard two-inch wide rubber roller. The seams were allowed to equilibrate for 24 hours before testing.
6. A clicker machine with a one-inch wide die was utilized to prepare a number of test specimens for seam peel (Type B, 90.degree. peel) and shear (Type A, 180.degree. peel) adhesion testing.
7. Testing machine: Model 1130 Instron Universal Tester--a testing machine of the constant rate-of-jaw separation type. The machine was equipped with suitable grips capable of clamping the specimens firmly and without slippage throughout the tests.
8. The one-inch wide specimens were tested at the rate (both crosshead and chart speed) of two inches per minute using the adhesion test set forth in ASTM D-413 (machine method). Both peel and shear adhesion strength were determined at room temperature (i.e., 23.degree. C.) as well as occasionally at 70.degree. and 100.degree. C. Specimens were allowed 15 minutes to preheat prior to testing at elevated temperatures.
9. Adhesion strength is defined as: peel adhesion strength (lbs/inch)=pounds force.times.sample width; shear adhesion strength (lbs/square inch)=pounds force.times.sample width.
Physical properties of each of the rubber compounds were measured and have been reported in Tables IVA and B hereinbelow. The uncured black and oil filled membranes featuring EPDM and crystallinity enhancing polymers exemplified in Tables IVA and B were characterized as harder, higher modulus polymeric compositions having unaged die C tear resistance equivalent to or slightly less than the sulfur cured EPDM membrane control, Example No. 1.
Adhesion tests with the conventional EPDM material of Example No. 1 included the use of a butyl based lap splice adhesive, SA-1065, available from Uniroyal Chemical Co. Peel and shear adhesion at increasing temperatures for Example No. 1, the sulfur cured control, are reported in Tables VA and B hereinbelow. Unaged peel adhesion and shear adhesion tests conducted with Examples Nos. 2-14, utilized to form the test pads, are reported in Tables VIA, B-IXA, B, respectively. Crosshead and chart speeds for all adhesion tests were conducted at the rate of two inches per minute (ipm).
TABLE IVA______________________________________UNAGED PHYSICAL PROPERTILES OF EPDM ANDCRYSTALLINITY ENHANCING POLYMER BLENDSIN A HEAT SEAMABLE MEMBRANEExample No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7______________________________________Stress-StrainProperties at 23.degree. C.100% Modulus, psi 470 535 300 325 440 -- 410300% Modulus, psi 1120 -- 655 730 -- -- 725Tensile at break, psi 1435 660 870 775 595 225 835Elongation at break, 420 180 490 325 215 50 380Low StrainModulus at 23.degree. C.10% Modulus, psi 65 140 85 125 150 230 140 -Low StrainModulus at 70.degree. C.10% Modulus, psi 45 48 16 43 70 40 60Die C Tear at23.degree. C.Lbs/inch 221 134 175 139 156 76 187Shore "A" hardnessTested at 23.degree. C. 64 72 61 70 78 77 72______________________________________
TABLE IVB______________________________________UNAGED PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF EPDMAND CRYSTALLINITY ENHANCING POLYMER BLENDSIN A HEAT SEAMABLE MEMBRANEExample No. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14______________________________________Stress-StrainProperties at 23.degree. C.100% Modulus, psi 760 830 1005 405 1015 580 600300% Modulus, psi 1025 1150 -- 660 -- -- --Tensile at break, psi 1080 1185 1030 815 1065 645 745Elongation at break, 325 320 110 420 120 130 165Low StrainModulus at 23.degree. C.10% Modulus, psi 360 350 800 135 775 240 505Low StrainModulus at 70.degree. C.10% Modulus, psi 200 180 390 150 310 160 155Die C Tearat 23.degree. C.Lbs/inch 265 213 194 206 185 197 204Shore "A" hardnessTested at 23.degree. C. 87 86 90 75 80 86 83______________________________________
TABLE VA______________________________________PEEL ADHESION OF SULFUR CUREDEPDM MEMBRANE______________________________________Membrane seam interply peel adhesion at 23.degree. C.Unaged seamslbs/inch 13.00type of failure adhesiveMembrane seam interply peel adhesion at 50.degree. C. -15 minute preheat at 50.degree. C.Unaged seamslbs/inch 7.25type of failure adhesiveMembrane seam interply peel adhesion at 70.degree. C. -15 minute preheat at 70.degree. C.Unaged seamslbs/inch 1.2type of failure adhesiveMembrane seam interply peel adhesion at 82.degree. C. -15 minute preheat at 82.degree. C.Unaged seamslbs/inch 1type of failure adhesiveMembrane seam interply peel adhesion at 100.degree. C. -15 minute preheat at 100.degree. C.Unaged seamslbs/inch 0.85type of failure adhesive______________________________________
TABLE VB______________________________________SHEAR STRENGTH OF SULFURCURED EPDM MEMBRANE______________________________________Membrane seam shear strength at 23.degree. C.Unaged seamslbs/square inch 27.25type of failure adhesiveMembrane seam shear strength at 50.degree. C. -15 minute preheat at 50.degree. C.Unaged seamslbs/square inch 18.5type of failure adhesiveMembrane seam shear strength at 70.degree. C. -15 minute preheat at 70.degree. C.Unaged seamslbs/square inch 11.5type of failure adhesiveMembrane seam shear strength at 82.degree. C. -15 minute preheat at 82.degree. C.Unaged seamslbs/square inch 9.5type of failure adhesiveMembrane seam shear strength at 100.degree. C. -15 minute preheat at 100.degree. C.Unaged seamslbs/square inch 7.75type of failure adhesive______________________________________
TABLE VIA______________________________________PEEL ADHESION STUDY OF EPDM ANDCRYSTALLINITY ENHANCING POLYMER BLENDSPeel Adhesion Example No.at 23.degree. C. 2 3 4 5 6 7______________________________________Heat setting #6(260.degree. C.)Lbs/inch 4.5 4 2 5.5 8 27Type of failure (A) (A) (A) (A) (A) (A)Heat setting #8(425.degree. C.)Lbs/inch 16.5 >41 >52 >36 39.5 >58.5Type of failure (A) (B) (B) (B) (A) (B)Heat setting #10(550.degree. C.)Lbs/inch 15.5 >35 >40 >35 >75.5 >46Type of failure (A) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B)______________________________________ (A) = Failure or separation between plies. (Weld failure) (B) = Some tearing at interface, followed by rubber separating from the fabric reinforcement.
TABLE VIB__________________________________________________________________________PEEL ADHESION STUDY OF EPDMAND CRYSTALLINITY ENHANCING POLYMER BLENDS Example No.Peel Adhesion at 23.degree. C. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14__________________________________________________________________________Heat setting #6 (260.degree. C.)Lbs/inch 14 12 3.5 5.5 14 8 2Type of failure (A) (A) (A) (A) (A) (A) (A)Heat setting #8 (425.degree. C.)Lbs/inch 18.5 >21 6 >28.5 22.5 >28.5 6.5Type of failure (A) (B) (A) (B) (A) (B) (A)Heat setting #10 (550.degree. C.)Lbs/inch 23.5 >24 12.8 43 >37.5 >29.5 23.5Type of failure (A) (B) (A) (A) (B) (B) (A, B)__________________________________________________________________________ (A) = Failure or separation between plies. (Weld failure) (B) = Some tearing at interface, followed by rubber separating from the fabric reinforcement.
TABLE VIIA______________________________________SHEAR STRENGTH OF EPDM ANDCRYSTALLINITY ENHANCING POLYMER BLENDSShear Strength Example No.at 23.degree. C. 2 3 4 5 6 7______________________________________Heat setting #6(260.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch 43.5 47 67 >99.5 >102 >48.5Type of failure (A) (A) (A) (B) (B) (A)Heat setting #8(425.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch 43 >88 >86 >106 >104 >62Type of failure (A) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B)Heat setting #10(550.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch 42 >53 >43 >108 >74.5 >58.5Type of failure (A) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B)______________________________________ (A) = Failure or separation between plies. (Weld failure) (B) = Some tearing at interface, followed by rubber separating from the fabric reinforcement.
TABLE VIIIB__________________________________________________________________________SHEAR STRENGTH OF EPDM AND CRYSTALLINITY ENHANCINGPOLYMER BLENDS Example No.Shear Strength at 23.degree. C. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14__________________________________________________________________________Heat setting #6 (260.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch 82.5 71.5 23 81 >92.5 51.5 66Type of failure (A) (A) (A) (A) (B) (A) (A)Heat setting #8 (425.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch >107.5 >106 >72.5 >93 >85 >75.5 >73Type of failure (B) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B)Heat setting #10 (550.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch >116.5 >118 >78 >76 >84.5 >82 >79Type of failure (B) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B)__________________________________________________________________________ (A) = Failure or separation between plies. (Weld failure) (B) = Some tearing at interface, followed by rubber separating from the fabric reinforcement.
TABLE VIIIA__________________________________________________________________________SHEAR STRENGTH OF EPDM AND CRYSTALLINITY ENHANCINGPOLYMER BLENDS Example No.Shear Strength at 70.degree. C. 2 3 4 5 6 7__________________________________________________________________________Heat setting #6 (260.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch 30.5 >26 >56.5 44.5 23 >31Type of failure (A) (B) (B) (A) (A) (B)Heat setting #8 (425.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch >37.5 >30 >45.5 >46 >45.5 >36Type of failure (B) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B)Heat setting #10 (550.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch 37 >36 >46 >50 >43.5 >33Type of failure (A) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B)__________________________________________________________________________ (A) = Failure or separation between plies. (Weld failure) (B) = Some tearing at interface, followed by rubber separating from the fabric reinforcement.
TABLE VIIIB__________________________________________________________________________SHEAR STRENGTH OF EPDM AND CRYSTALLINITY ENHANCINGPOLYMER BLENDS Example No.Shear strength at 70.degree. C. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14__________________________________________________________________________Heat setting #6 (260.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch >52.5 70.5 74 33 32 24.5 14.5Type of failure (B) (A) (A) (A) (A) (A) (A)Heat setting #8 (425.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch >64 >87.5 >82 >45 >40.5 >46.5 >48Type of failure (B) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B)Heat setting #10 (550.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch >73.5 >84 >89 >34 >47 >42.5 >47Type of failure (B) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B)__________________________________________________________________________ (A) = Failure or separation between plies. (Weld failure) (B) = Some tearing at interface, followed by rubber separating from the fabric reinforcement.
TABLE IXA______________________________________SHEAR STRENGTH OF EPDM AND CRYSTALLINITYENHANCING POLYMER BLENDSShear Strength Example No.at 100.degree. C. 2 3 4 5 6 7______________________________________Heat setting #6(260.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch 5.5 16 15.5 13 >37 >30.5Type of failure (A) (A, B) (A, B) (A) (B) (B)Heat setting #8(425.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch 27.5 29.5 >34 >32.5 >35 >24Type of failure (A) (A, B) (B) (B) (B) (B)Heat setting#10 (550.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch 23.5 >25 >30.5 >31.5 >36.5 >24.5Type of failure (A) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B)______________________________________ (A) = Failure or separation between plies. (Weld failure) (B) = Some tearing at interface, followed by rubber separating from the fabric reinforcement.
TABLE IXB__________________________________________________________________________SHEAR STRENGTH OF EPDM AND CRYSTALLINITY ENHANCINGPOLYMER BLENDS Example No.Shear Strength at 100.degree. C. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14__________________________________________________________________________Heat setting #6 (260.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch 40.5 12.5 51.5 >27.5 >39 8.5 5.5Type of failure (A, B) (A) (A) (B) (B) (A) (A)Heat setting #8 (425.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch >47.5 >50.5 >71 >31 >42.5 >37.5 >43.5Type of failure (B) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B)Heat setting #10 (550.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch >56 >54 >65.5 >29 >36.5 >34.5 >38Type of failure (B) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B) (B)__________________________________________________________________________ (A) = Failure or separation between plies. (Weld failure) (B) = Some tearing at interface, followed by rubber separating from the fabric reinforcement.
Lastly, EPsyn.RTM. 5508 was evaluated in a formulation comprising 50 parts by weight of EPsyn.RTM. 5508; 50 parts by weight of Dowlex.RTM. 2027A (copolymer of ethylene and octene); 125 phr carbon black; 16 phr Austin Black and 90 phr of Sunpar 2280 process oil, for a total of 331 parts. Physical properties and adhesion values were determined as noted above and are reported in Table X. In addition to unaged shear adhesion, several of the test samples were aged for seven days at 70.degree. C. prior to testing. Aged shear adhesion at 23.degree. C. and 70.degree. C. is also reported in Table X.
TABLE X______________________________________PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND ADHESIONVALUES INVOLVING A 50/50 BLEND OFEPSYN .RTM. 5508/DOWLEX .RTM. 2027A IN AHEAT SEAMABLE MEMBRANEExample No. 15______________________________________Unaged Stress-Strain Properties at 73.degree. C.Tensile at break, psi 650Elongation at break, % 90Unaged Die C Tear at 23.degree. C. 241lbs/inchUnaged Shore A Hardness at 23.degree. C. 74tested at 73.degree. C.Unaged Shear Strength at 23.degree. C.Heat setting #8 (425.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch >100Type of Failure (B)Unaged Shear Strength at 70.degree. C.Heat setting #8 (425.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch >53Type of Failure (B)Unaged Shear Strength at 100.degree. C.Heat setting #8 (425.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch >33Type of Failure (B)Aged Shear Strength at 23.degree. C.*Heat setting #8 (425.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch >110Type of Failure (B)Aged Shear Strength at 70.degree. C.*Heat setting #8 (425.degree. C.)Lbs/square inch >69Type of Failure (B)______________________________________ (B) Initial tearing at plyto-ply interface, followed by rubber tearing to the fabric reinforcement (rubberto-fabric failure) *Test samples aged 7 days at 70.degree. C. prior to testing
Based on the test results in Tables VIA, B-IXA, B, peel adhesion and seam shear strength adhesion values were generally significantly better than for the sulfur cured EPDM membrane Example No. 1 (control) thereby demonstrating that the use of EPDM, EPR or other similar olefin type polymers including ethylene-octene or ethylene-butene copolymers or blends thereof and crystallinity enhancing polymers (e.g., homopolymers of ethylene and propylene, random and block copolymers of ethylene and propylene, etc.) in black and oil filled compounds using sufficient pressure and heat (usually in the form of hot air) allow the formation of a self-adhering seam without the use of adhesives. Moreover, the sheet materials do not require special curing ingredients nor, do they require that a dusting or release agent be applied to the surface of the membrane followed by autoclave curing.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific type of EPDM exemplified herein or by the disclosure or other typical EPDM, EPR or other similar olefin type polymers provided herein, the Examples Nos. 2-15 having been provided merely to demonstrate practice of the subject invention. Those skilled in the art may readily select other EPDM or EPR as well as other similar polyolefins and crystallinity enhancing polymers. Similarly, the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular fillers and processing oil exemplified or the amounts thereof.
In order to demonstrate that the compositions of the present invention exhibit far superior physical properties, including better peel adhesion and shear seam strength, as compared with those disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,194, a composition according to the present invention, Example No. 16, was prepared and compared against Examples I and III of U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,194, as Examples No. 17 and 18 respectively. Compositions for these three examples are presented in Table XI. Physical properties of these three compounds were determined and have been reported in Table XII.
TABLE XI______________________________________HEAT SEAMBLE EPDM MEMBRANE COMPOSITIONSExample No. 16 17 18______________________________________Vistalon .RTM. MD-744 60 -- --HDPE-12065 40 -- --Nordel .RTM. 2760 -- -- 60Nordel .RTM. 2744 -- 25 --Nordel .RTM. 1070 -- 25 20Vistalon .RTM. 707 -- 80 --HiStr GPF black 110 -- --HiStr HAF black -- -- 15Titanium dioxide -- 10 --Calcium carbonate -- 250 125Clay (untreated) -- -- 25Sunpar 2280 oil 70 -- --Petroleum-based plasticizer.sup.a -- 3 27.5Zinc stearate -- -- 1.0Mark 1500 -- 0.1 0.1AO 2246.sup.c -- 0.1 0.1UV light absorber.sup.d -- 0.2 0.2TOTAL 280.0 363.4 288.9______________________________________ .sup.a) Petrolatum .RTM. SR172 (soft, oily, amorphous substance, used as softener, process aid, and internal lubricant (C. P. Hall Company) .sup.b) A phosphite heat stabilizer (Argus Chemical Div., Witco Corp.) .sup.c) Antioxidant 2,2'Methylenebis-(4-methyl-6-tert-butyl-phenol) (R. T Vanderbilt) .sup.d) A benzotriazole ultraviolet light stabilizer Tinuvin .RTM. P 2(2Hydroxy-5-methyl-phenyl)benzotriazole (CibaGeigy Chemical)
TABLE XII______________________________________UNAGED PHYSICAL PROPERTIESExample No. 16 17 18______________________________________Stress-Strain Properties at 23.degree. C.Unaged100% Modulus, psi 715 235 260300% Modulus, psi -- 430 375Tensile at break, psi 830 510 650Elongation at break, % 220 440 630Die C Tear Properties at 23.degree. C.Unaged 261 109 125Lbs./inchShore "A" Hardness 85 76 73Tested at 23.degree. C.______________________________________
As clearly evident from Table XII, Example No. 16 provides better physical properties than Examples No. 17 or 18.
Next, Example Nos. 16-18 were subjected to unaged peel adhesion and shear adhesion testing, the results for which have been reported in Tables XIII and XIV, respectively,
TABLE XIIII______________________________________PEEL ADHESION COMPARATIVE STUDYExample No. 16 17 18______________________________________Seam Peel Adhesion at 23.degree. C. - ScrimReinforcedLbs./inch 13.5 10.6 17.5Type failure (B) (B) (B)Seam Peel Adhesion at 70.degree. C. - ScrimReinforced - Preheat test specimens for 15minutes before testingLbs./inch 10.5 0.4 0.6Type failure (B) (A, B) (A, B)Seam Peel Adhesion at 95.degree. C. - ScrimReinforced - Preheat test specimens for 15minutes before testingLbs./inch 1.5 0.5 0.2Type failure (B) (A, B) (A, B)Heat Gun Setting:No. 9 (peak hot air temperature, 442.degree. C.)______________________________________ (A) = Weld failure (separation between plies) (B) = Initial tearing at plyto-ply interface, followed by rubber tearing to the fabric reinforcement (rubberto-fabric failure)
TABLE XIV______________________________________SEAM SHEAR STRENGTH ADHESIONCOMPARATIVE STUDYExample No. 16 17 18______________________________________Seam Shear Strength Adhesion at 23.degree. C. -Scrim ReinforcedLbs./square inch >105 >38 >71Type failure (C) (C) (C)Seam Shear Strength Adhesion at 70.degree. C. -Scrim Reinforced -Preheat test specimens for 15 minutes beforetestingLbs./square inch >60 >23 >35Type failure (C) (C) (C)Seam Shear Strength Adhesion at 95.degree. C. -Scrim Reinforced -Preheat test specimens for 15 minutes beforetestingLbs./square inch >47 >17 >24Type failure (C) (C) (C)Heat Gun Setting:No. 9 (peak hot air temperature, 422.degree. C.)______________________________________ (C) = Necking/breaking scrim reinforced rubber test strip elongated and broke adjacent to the weld seam
With respect to Table XIII, seam peel adhesion properties at elevated temperatures were significantly greater for Example No. 16 than Examples No. 17 or 18. Similarly, seam shear adhesion properties at all temperatures were better for examples No. 16 than Examples No. 17 or 18. Accordingly, it should be evident that although U.S. Pat. No. 4,833,194 employs blends of amorphous and crystalline EPR's with crystalline polymers, the compositions of the present invention exhibit properties and performance due to the greater crystallinity of the polymer blend components.
In conclusion, it should be clear from the foregoing examples and specification disclosure that the use of EPDM, EPR or other similar polyolefins with crystallinity enhancing polymers to prepare sheet material for roofing allows such sheet material to be seamed using pressure and heat. The seams are self adhering without the use of adhesives. Moreover, the sheet materials do not require curing. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific types of EPDM and crystallinity enhancing polymers exemplified herein or by the disclosure of other typical polyolefins and crystallinity enhancing polymers provided herein, the examples having been provided merely to demonstrate practice of the subject invention. Those skilled in the art may readily select other polymers than EPDM, EPR and crystallinity enhancing polymers according to the disclosure made hereinabove. Similarly, the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular fillers and processing oil exemplified or the amounts thereof.
Thus, it is believed that any of the variables disclosed herein can readily be determined and controlled without departing from the scope of the invention herein disclosed and described. Moreover, the scope of the invention shall include all modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the attached claims.

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Polymer blends for heat seamable roof sheeting and method for covering roofs

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