EPDM roofing has been tested and proven to last in excess of 50 years. Tests were commissioned by the German Rubber Industry Trade Association and performed by SKZ- TeConA GmbH, Wurburg.

Report summary

OBJECTIVE

The testing of ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) for use for sealing flat roofs, the objective of this study was to evaluate the useful life of EPDM roofing membranes.

PROCEDURE

A total of 39 EPDM sample roofing membranes from many different manufacturers already installed on roofs some for up to 30 years, they were checked for their current state and then were further aged in the laboratory, the purpose to evaluate the useful life of each sample.

RESULTS

None of the samples taken from the roofs showed any signs of material damage. All the EPDM membranes were still fully performing their task of sealing flat roofs.

Elongation break tests were carried out on the already aged roof material to give the best indication of the influence of weathering, it was found the minimum requirement of the material standard DIN7864-1 for new product, amounting to 250% elongation at break, was still met.

CONCLUSION

From the study the useful life of correctly made EPDM roofing membranes may be evaluated as over 50 years under European climate conditions. the membranes tested demonstrated that they retained excellent elongation power and were able to resist the mechanical and thermal forces due to exposure on flat roofs.

Extracts from a report written by :-

WURZBURG 23 MARCH 2004

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