ASTM D6878-03

Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Polyolefin Based Sheet Roofing

SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers flexible sheet made from thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) as the principal polymer, intended for use in single-ply roofing membranes exposed to the weather. The sheet shall contain reinforcing fabrics or scrims.
1.2 The tests and property limits used to characterize the sheet are values intended to ensure minimum quality for the intended purpose. In-place roof system design criteria, such as fire resistance, field seaming strength, material compatibility, and uplift resistance, among others, are factors which should be considered but are beyond the scope of this specification.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values stated in parentheses are for information only.
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Apr-2003
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: D08 - Roofing and Waterproofing
• Drafting Committee: D08.18 - Nonbituminous Organic Roof Coverings

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D6878-06 - Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Polyolefin Based Sheet Roofing
• Effective Date: 15-Jul-2006

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D 6878 – 03
Standard Specification for
Thermoplastic Polyolefin Based Sheet Roofing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6878; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D 5538 Practice for Thermoplastic Elastomers—
Terminology and Abbreviations
1.1 This specification covers flexible sheet made from
G151 Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Ac-
thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) as the principal polymer,
celeratedTest Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources
intended for use in single-ply roofing membranes exposed to
G155 Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Light Apparatus
the weather. The sheet shall contain reinforcing fabrics or
for Exposure of Non-Metallic Materials
scrims.
1.2 The tests and property limits used to characterize the
3. Materials and Manufacture
sheet are values intended to ensure minimum quality for the
3.1 The sheet shall be formulated from ethylene and higher
intended purpose. In-place roof system design criteria, such as
alpha-olefin polymers, copolymers, and mixtures thereof, in
fire resistance, field seaming strength, material compatibility,
amounts greater than 50%, by weight of the total polymer
andupliftresistance,amongothers,arefactorswhichshouldbe
content suitably compounded to satisfy the physical require-
considered but are beyond the scope of this specification.
ments in the specification (see Practice D5538).
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
3.2 The sheet shall be capable of being heat welded, fused,
standard. The values stated in parentheses are for information
or adhesively bonded to itself for making watertight field
only.
splices and repairs, and the supplier or fabricator shall recom-
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, opera-
mend suitable methods and materials.
tions, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
3.3 Sheet shall be reinforced with fabric or scrim.
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
4. Physical Properties and Tolerances
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
4.1 Each sheet specimen shall meet or exceed the physical
mine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
requirements prescribed in Table 1.
4.2 The tolerance for time conditions (aging, weathering,
2. Referenced Documents
and so forth) is 615 min or 61% of the period, whichever is
2.1 ASTM Standards:
greater, unless otherwise specified.
D471 Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liq-
2 4.3 The tolerance for temperature conditions (aging, weath-
uids
ering, and so forth) is 62°C (64°F) of the specified tempera-
D573 Test Method for Rubber—Deterioration in an Air
2 ture, unless otherwise specified.
Oven
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
5. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
D1149 Test Method for Rubber Deterioration—Surface
2 5.1 The width and length of the sheet shall be agreed upon
Ozone Cracking in a Chamber
between the purchaser and the supplier.
D1204 Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of
5.1.1 The width and length tolerance shall be +3%, −0%.
Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated
4 5.1.2 The thickness tolerance shall be +15%, –10% of
Temperature
thickness agreed upon by the purchaser and supplier, but in no
D2137 Test Methods for Rubber Property—Brittleness
2 case shall it be less than the minimum in Table 1.
Point of Flexible Polymers and Coated Fabrics
6. Workmanship, Finish, andAppearance
6.1 The sheet, including factory seams, if present, shall be
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D08 on
RoofingandWaterproofingandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD08.18
watertight and free of pinholes, particles of foreign matter,
on Nonbituminous Organic Roof Coverings.
Current edition approved April 10, 2003. Published May 2003.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 09.02.
4 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 08.03. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.04.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6878–03
TABLE 1 Physical Requirements for TPO Sheet
jaws approximately 50 mm (2.0 in.) from edges of the overlap
Thickness, min, mm (in) area and test at a jaw separation rate of 5 cm/min (2 in./min).
Sheet-overall 1.0 (0.039)
7.13 Weather Resistance—Accelerated weathering tests
Coating over fabric or scrim, weathering side only 0.305 (0.012)
shall be performed using Practice G155.
Breaking strength, min, N (lbf) 976 (220)
Elongation at reinforcement break, min, % 15 7.13.1 Practice G 151 and G 155—Xenon-arc apparatus
Tearing strength, min, N (lbf) 245 (55)
shall be operated in accordance with the following conditions:
Brittleness point, max, °C (°F) -40 (-40)
Filter Type Daylight
Ozone resistance, no cracks Pass
Irradiance 0.35 to 0.70 W/m at 340 nm
Properties after heat aging: (retained values)
(42to84W/m at 300 to 400 nm)
Breaking strength, % min 90
Cycle 690 min light, 30 min light plus water spray
Elongation at reinforcement break, % min 90
Black Panel Temperature 80 6 3°C
Tearing strength, % min 60
Relative Humidity 50 6 5%
Weight change (mass), max % 61
Spray Water Deionized
Linear dimensional change, max, % 61
A
Specimen Rotation Refer to Practice G 155
Water absorption, max, mass % 63.0
Radiant Exposure 5040 kJ/m at 340 nm
Factory seam strength, min, N (lbf) 290 (66)
(604.8 MJ/m at 300 to 400 nm)
Weather resistance: (retained values)
Inspect at 73 magnification for aging.
Visual inspection Pass
Breaking strength, % min 90
7.13.2 Perform the weathering tests on the intact sheet with
Elongation at reinforcement break, min, % 90
the weathering side facing the lamps. Mount specimens for
A
Test performed on top coating material only. (Use Test Method D 471, Testing
exposure under no strain. After exposure, the specimens shall
only one side Section.)
be removed, wrapped around a 75 mm (3 in.) mandrel, and
inspected for cracks and crazing.Aspecimen is rated “pass” if
nocracksorcrazingisobserved.Determinephysicalproperties
protruding fibers or reinforcement, undispersed raw material,
as specified by Table 1.
nicks and cuts, voids, thin areas, delaminations or other
manufacturing defects that might adversely affect serviceabil-
8. Inspection
ity.
8.1 Inspection of the material shall be agreed upon between
6.2 Edges of the sheet shall be capable of being seamed to
involved parties.
one another without fishmouthing.
9. Rejection and Resubmittal
7. Test Methods
9.1 Failure
...