Abstract
Polymer-modified bitumen roofing materials combine a traditional built-up roofing practice with single-ply technology. Modified bitumen materials use asphalt as a base, which brings about the familiarity with built-up roofing in that asphalt and reinforcing fabrics are contained in a roll and manufactured in the plant under controlled conditions. Polymer additives are blended with hot asphalt prior to sheet manufacture; the end product is referred to as modified bitumen. The use of modified bitumen has grown dramatically in the U.S., especially within the last decade. For the purpose of this paper, a modified bitumen is defined as a prefabricated, reinforced waterproof sheet that is composed of asphalt bitumen, polymer modifiers and reinforcing fabrics, and which has been manufactured under controlled conditions. Coal-tar bitumen is also used but is limited in quantity. Modified bitumen mopping asphalts, also available, are not covered in this paper. The primary development of modified bitumen roofing took place in Europe in the 1960s. Many different sheets were made available by European manufacturers, reflecting the different climates, equipment, available materials and skills used to install roofing products. Many different modified bitumen sheets were developed in Italy, where specialized blends of APP were made with select asphalts. Specialized blends of modified asphalts containing SBS also were made in Europe. France and Germany were the primary suppliers of this type of product. Modified bitumen membranes are the thickest of the single-ply roofing materials available today, normally ranging from 120 to 170 mils in thickness. Some sheets are available in 60 mil thickness and have self-adhering capability. Typical roll widths are 36 inches or a nominal 39 inches; the nominal 39-inch roll is more than likely produced from a 1-meter width machine, which points to a European origin. This paper will deal with the application concerns of those modified bitumen sheets requiring either hot asphalt or torching for application.
Polymer-modified bitumen roofing materials combine a traditional built-up roofing practice with single-ply technology. Modified bitumen materials use asphalt as a base, which brings about the familiarity with built-up roofing in that asphalt and reinforcing fabrics are contained in a roll and manufactured in the plant under controlled conditions. Polymer additives are blended with hot asphalt prior to sheet manufacture; the end product is referred to as modified bitumen. The use of modified bitumen has grown dramatically in the U.S., especially within the last decade. For the purpose of this paper, a modified bitumen is defined as a prefabricated, reinforced waterproof sheet that is composed of asphalt bitumen, polymer modifiers and reinforcing fabrics, and which has been manufactured under controlled conditions. Coal-tar bitumen is also used but is limited in quantity. Modified bitumen mopping asphalts, also available, are not covered in this paper. The primary development of modified bitumen roofing took place in Europe in the 1960s. Many different sheets were made available by European manufacturers, reflecting the different climates, equipment, available materials and skills used to install roofing products. Many different modified bitumen sheets were developed in Italy, where specialized blends of APP were made with select asphalts. Specialized blends of modified asphalts containing SBS also were made in Europe. France and Germany were the primary suppliers of this type of product. Modified bitumen membranes are the thickest of the single-ply roofing materials available today, normally ranging from 120 to 170 mils in thickness. Some sheets are available in 60 mil thickness and have self-adhering capability. Typical roll widths are 36 inches or a nominal 39 inches; the nominal 39-inch roll is more than likely produced from a 1-meter width machine, which points to a European origin. This paper will deal with the application concerns of those modified bitumen sheets requiring either hot asphalt or torching for application.
Date
0/1989
0/1989
Author(s)
Rene Dupuis
Rene Dupuis
Page(s)
73-77
73-77
Keyword(s)
application; modified bitumen; polymer modified bitumen
application; modified bitumen; polymer modified bitumen