ASTM D4637-08

Standard Specification for EPDM Sheet Used In Single-Ply Roof Membrane

ABSTRACT
This specification covers flexible sheet made from ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) intended for use in single-ply roofing membranes exposed to the weather. The rubber sheet may be non-reinforced (Type I), fabric or scrim internally reinforced (Type II), or fabric-backed (Type III) vulcanized. In-place roof system design criteria, such as fire resistance, field seaming strength, material compatibility, and uplift resistance, among others, are beyond the scope of this specification. The physical requirements for which flexible sheets shall be tested on and accordingly conform to are as follows: sheet-overall and coating over scrim or fabric thicknesses; breaking strength; tensile strength and set; dynamic and static puncture resistance; ultimate elongation and elongation at fabric break; tear resistance and strength; brittleness point; ozone resistance; behavior upon heat aging; linear dimensional change; water absorption; factory seam strength; weather resistance; and fabric adhesion.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers flexible sheet made from ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) intended for use in single-ply roofing membranes exposed to the weather. The tests and property limits used to characterize the sheet are values to ensure minimum quality for the intended use. The sheet may be non-reinforced, fabric- or scrim-reinforced, or fabric-backed vulcanized rubber sheet.
1.2 In-place roof system design criteria, such as fire resistance, field seaming strength, material compatibility, and uplift resistance, among others, are factors that must 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 limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2008
• ICS: 83.060 - Rubber
• ICS: 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials
• Technical Committee: D08 - Roofing and Waterproofing
• Drafting Committee: D08.22 - Waterproofing and Dampproofing Systems

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4637-04 - Standard Specification for EPDM Sheet Used In Single-Ply Roof Membrane
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM D4637/D4637M-10 - Standard Specification for EPDM Sheet Used In Single-Ply Roof Membrane
• Effective Date: 01-May-2010

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: D4637 – 08
Standard Specification for
1
EPDM Sheet Used In Single-Ply Roof Membrane
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4637; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope D573 Test Method for Rubber—Deterioration in an Air
Oven
1.1 This specification covers flexible sheet made from
D624 Test Method for Tear Strength of Conventional Vul-
ethylene-propylene-dieneterpolymer(EPDM)intendedforuse
canized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers
in single-ply roofing membranes exposed to the weather. The
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
tests and property limits used to characterize the sheet are
D816 Test Methods for Rubber Cements
values to ensure minimum quality for the intended use. The
D1149 Test Methods for Rubber Deterioration—Cracking
sheet may be non-reinforced, fabric- or scrim-reinforced, or
in an Ozone Controlled Environment
fabric-backed vulcanized rubber sheet.
D1204 Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of
1.2 In-place roof system design criteria, such as fire resis-
Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated
tance, field seaming strength, material compatibility, and uplift
Temperature
resistance, among others, are factors that must be considered
D2137 Test Methods for Rubber Property—Brittleness
but are beyond the scope of this specification.
Point of Flexible Polymers and Coated Fabrics
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
D5602 TestMethodforStaticPunctureResistanceofRoof-
standard. The values stated in parentheses are for information
ing Membrane Specimens
only.
D5635 Test Method for Dynamic Puncture Resistance of
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials, opera-
Roofing Membrane Specimens
tions, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
G151 Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Ac-
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
celerated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
G155 PracticeforOperatingXenonArcLightApparatusfor
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
Exposure of Non-Metallic Materials
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Classification
2. Referenced Documents
2 3.1 Types describe the sheet construction:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.1 Type I—Non-reinforced.
D412 Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermo-
3.1.2 Type II—Scrim (or fabric) internally reinforced.
plastic Elastomers—Tension
3.1.3 Type III—Fabric backed.
D413 Test Methods for Rubber Property—Adhesion to
Flexible Substrate
4. Materials and Manufacture
D471 Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liquids
4.1 ThesheetshallbeformulatedfromEPDMpolymersand
D518 Test Method for Rubber Deterioration—Surface
3 other compounding ingredients. EPDM shall be the principal
Cracking
polymerusedinthesheetandshallbegreaterthan95%ofthe
total polymer content.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D08 on
4.2 Tomakeseamsandrepairs,thesheetshallbecapableof
RoofingandWaterproofingandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD08.18
being bonded watertight to itself and the supplier or fabricator
on Nonbituminous Organic Roof Coverings.
shall recommend suitable methods.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2008. Published March 2008. Originally
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D4637–04. DOI:
5. Physical Properties and Tolerances
10.1520/D4637-08.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5.1 The sheet shall conform to the physical requirements
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
prescribed in Table 1.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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D4637 – 08
TABLE 1 Physical Requirements for EPDM Sheet
Type I II III
Thickness, min, mm (in.):
Sheet-overall 1.016 (0.040) 1.016 (0.040) .
Coating over scrim or fabric . 0.38 (0.015) 0.76 (0.030)
Breaking strength, min, N (lbf) . 400 (90) 400 (90)
Tensile strength, min, MPa (psi) 9.0 (1305) . .
Dynamic Puncture Resistance, Type I at 5 J, Type II at at 10 J pass pass
Static Puncture Resistance, Type I at 20 kg (44.1 lbf), Type II at pass pass
25 k
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation:D4637–04 Designation: D 4637 – 08
Standard Specification for
1
EPDM Sheet Used In Single-Ply Roof Membrane
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4637; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope
1.1 This specification covers flexible sheet made from ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) intended for use in
single-ply roofing membranes exposed to the weather. The tests and property limits used to characterize the sheet are values to
ensure minimum quality for the intended use. The sheet may be non-reinforced, fabric- or scrim-reinforced, or fabric-backed
vulcanized rubber sheet.
1.2 In-place roof system design criteria, such as fire resistance, field seaming strength, material compatibility, and uplift
resistance, among others, are factors that must 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 limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D412 Test Methods for Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers—Tension
D413 Test Methods for Rubber Property—Adhesion to Flexible Substrate
D471 Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liquids
D518 Test Method for Rubber Deterioration—Surface Cracking
D573 Test Method for Rubber—Deterioration in an Air Oven
D624 Test Method for Tear Strength of Conventional Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Elastomers
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
D816 Test Methods for Rubber Cements
D1149Test Method for Rubber Deterioration—Surface Ozone Cracking in a Chamber Test Methods for Rubber Deteriora-
tionCracking in an Ozone Controlled Environment
D1204 Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature
D2137 Test Methods for Rubber Property—Brittleness Point of Flexible Polymers and Coated Fabrics
D5602 Test Method for Static Puncture Resistance of Roofing Membrane Specimens
D5635 Test Method for Dynamic Puncture Resistance of Roofing Membrane Specimens
G151 Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Accelerated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources
G155 Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Light Apparatus for Exposure of Non-Metallic Materials
3. Classification
3.1 Types describe the sheet construction:
3.1.1 Type I—Non-reinforced.
3.1.2 Type II—Scrim (or fabric) internally reinforced.
3.1.3 Type III—Fabric backed.
4. Materials and Manufacture
4.1 The sheet shall be formulated from EPDM polymers and other compounding ingredients. EPDM shall be the principal
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D08 on Roofing and Waterproofing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D08.18 on
Nonbituminous Organic Roof Coverings.
Current edition approved Aug.Feb. 1, 2004.2008. Published August 2004.March 2008. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20032004 as
D4637–034.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,[e-mail]ards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4637–08
polymer used in the sheet and shall be greater than 95% of the total polymer content.
4.2 Tomakeseamsandrepairs,thesheetshallbecapableofbeingbondedwatertighttoitselfandthesupplierorfabricatorshall
recommend suitable methods.
5. Physical Properties and Tolerances
5.1 The sheet shall conform to the physical requirements prescribed in Table 1.
5.2 Thetolerancefortimeconditions(aging,weathering,andsoforth)is 615minor 61%oftheperiod;whicheverisgreater,
unless otherwise specified.
5.3 Tolerances for temperature shall be
...