EPDM Continues to Demonstrate Outstanding Field Aging Performance, Study Confirms
Alexandria, Va. (July 26, 2004)
Alexandria, Va. (July 26, 2003) - The EPDM Roofing Association (ERA) recently released a study confirming that sampled EPDM rubber roofing membrane aged 16- to 26-years-old sustain their original, performance-driven membrane properties: tensile strength, ultimate elongation and tear resistance. The study, "EPDM Roof Membranes: Long-term Performance Revisited," written by Tim Trial, Ross Robertson, and Brian Gish, found that the tensile strength and tear resistance data obtained for both ballasted and exposed roofs exceed the ASTM D 4637 specifications for new and heat aged membranes after 17-26 years of service life.
"EPDM's outstanding field aging performance has long been known, and this study provides documented proof of EPDM's system performance, even after 26 years," said Trial, the leader of the study and a polymer scientist at Carlisle SynTec, Inc. An in-depth presentation of these results was given at the 2004 RCI International Convention and Trade Show in Reno, NV.
A total of 33 membrane samples were collected from roofs located in nine states, all of which
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ERA News Release, Outstanding Field Aging Performance Study, Page 2
had been exposed to the long-term effects of water, UV radiation, ozone, heat, and thermal cycling. In all the roof systems sampled, the membranes were found to be watertight and functional. Additionally, no cracking or crazing was observed in ballasted membranes, even after 23 years of service life.
The purpose of this study was to revisit and update the Gish study to include performance of aged EPDM membranes, which have been in service for the past 16-26 years. Two major EPDM manufacturers collected field samples of ballasted and exposed membranes and submitted them to an independent laboratory for testing.
The EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) rubber roofing membrane has been an appealing choice of the low-slope commercial roofing industry for over 40 years, with more than 500,000 warranted roof installations on 20 billion-plus square feet. Annually, EPDM accounts for over 1 billion square feet of new roof coverings in the United States, and is the most frequently used roofing material in the marketplace. Building Design and Construction magazine and the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) confirmed in their 2002-2003 market surveys that EPDM continues to be the number one roofing membrane of architects, roof consultants and contractors for both new construction and replacement roofing projects.
The EPDM Roofing Association (ERA) is the first trade association solely representing the manufacturers of EPDM single-ply roofing products and their leading suppliers. ERA provides technical and research support to the public and the construction industry, and communicates the longstanding attributes, consistency and the value proposition of EPDM rubber membrane roofing materials.
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