Performance of Tape-Bonded Seams of EPDM Membranes: Factors Affecting the Creep-Rupture Response of Tape-Bonded and Liquid-Adhesive-Bonded Seams

Published

June 1, 1998

Author(s)

Walter J. Rossiter Jr, M Vangel, K M. Kraft

Abstract

A field investigation of tape-bonded seams of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene terpolymer) roof membranes is described. Since the early 1990s the use of tape-adhesive systems for fabricating EPDM seams has increased significantly in the United States. This study was conducted at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under the auspices of an industry-government consortium assembled in response to U.S. roofing industry requests that independent studies of tape-bonded seams be conducted. Forty-seven EPDM roofs having tape-bonded seams and four having liquid-adhesive-bonded seams were inspected and seam samples were obtained. The ages of the roofs with tape-bonded seams ranged from 0.1 year (new) to 8 years with an average age of 2.3 years. The four roofs with liquid-adhesive-bonded seams had an average age of 4.3 years. Peel strengths were measured for all field samples and times-to-failure were determined on a selected number. The results of the field inspections showed that the tape-bonded seams were performing satisfactorily. From the laboratory evaluations, it was found that the majority of the tape-bonded samples had mean peel strengths that were greater than those of liquid-adhesive-bonded samples removed from roofs in either the current or past field studies. Also, the majority of the tape-bonded seams had times-to-failure that were greater than those of the liquid-adhesive-bonded sample sets. Finally, it was observed that field-fabricated tape-bonded seams that fail cohesively during testing may achieve peel strengths and times-to-failure comparable to those of tape-bonded seam samples prepared in the laboratory using clean, primed EPDM.

Proceedings Title

Xth Congress of the International Waterproofing Association

Conference Dates

June 10-12, 1998

Conference Location

DE

Conference Title

Congress of the International Waterproofing Association

Pub Type

Conferences

Keywords

adhesive tapes, adhesive testing, building technology, creep-rupture, EPDM, in-service performance, peel strength, roofing, seams

Citation

Rossiter, W. , Vangel, M. and Kraft, K. (1998), Performance of Tape-Bonded Seams of EPDM Membranes: Factors Affecting the Creep-Rupture Response of Tape-Bonded and Liquid-Adhesive-Bonded Seams, Xth Congress of the International Waterproofing Association, DE (Accessed October 11, 2025)