The EPDM Roofing Association has launched a field-based research study intended to improve scientific understanding of the long-term performance of EPDM membranes and explore methods for estimating their remaining service life in commercial roof systems, according to the association’s website.
The study focuses on EPDM membrane samples from commercial roofs exposed to decades of real-world environmental conditions so researchers can evaluate the characteristics of membranes after years of natural aging and compare them with membranes subjected to accelerated aging and weathering.
Collected samples will be tested in a laboratory in their existing condition before portions of the same samples are subjected to accelerated heat aging and weathering. The data produced is meant to help evaluate changes in physical properties and increase understanding of the long-term performance and potential residual service life of EPDM membranes.
The EPDM Roofing Association is seeking participation from roofing contractors, roof consultants, building owners and technical/sales representatives with access to EPDM roof systems that are 20-plus years old, particularly those undergoing scheduled replacement, to provide field samples during reroofing operations.
Participants who send a sample set that meets the minimum criteria and is accepted for the study will receive an honorarium of $2,000. Participants must complete the interest form on the ERA website by Sept. 30. Sample collection will be completed by Dec. 5, with an initial research report expected in spring 2027.
