ASTM D6878/D6878M-21

Standard Specification for Thermoplastic Polyolefin-Based Sheet Roofing

ABSTRACT
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. The sheet shall be formulated from ethylene and higher alpha-olefin polymers, copolymers, and mixtures thereof, in amounts greater than 50 %, by weight of the total polymer content suitably compounded to satisfy the physical requirements specified. The sheet shall be capable of being heat welded, fused, or adhesively bonded to itself for making watertight field splices and repairs and shall be reinforced with fabric or scrim. Different tests shall be performed in order to determine the following physical properties of thermoplastic polyolefin sheets: dimensions, sheet overall thickness, coating thickness over scrim, breaking strength, elongation at break, tearing strength, brittleness point, ozone resistance, heat aging, linear dimensional change, water absorption, factory seam strength, and weather resistance.
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 either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.  
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2021
• ICS: 83.080.20 - Thermoplastic materials
• Technical Committee: D08 - Roofing and Waterproofing
• Drafting Committee: D08.18 - Nonbituminous Organic Roof Coverings

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1204-14(2020) - Standard Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:D6878/D6878M −21
Standard Specification for
1
Thermoplastic Polyolefin-Based Sheet Roofing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6878/D6878M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This specification covers flexible sheet made from 2.1 ASTM Standards:
thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) as the principal polymer, D471Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liquids
D573Test Method for Rubber—Deterioration in an Air
intended for use in single-ply roofing membranes exposed to
Oven
the weather. The sheet shall contain reinforcing fabrics or
D751Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
scrims.
D1149TestMethodsforRubberDeterioration—Crackingin
1.2 The tests and property limits used to characterize the
an Ozone Controlled Environment
sheet are values intended to ensure minimum quality for the
D1204Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of
intended purpose. In-place roof system design criteria, such as
Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated
fire resistance, field seaming strength, material compatibility,
Temperature
andupliftresistance,amongothers,arefactorswhichshouldbe
D2137TestMethodsforRubberProperty—BrittlenessPoint
considered but are beyond the scope of this specification.
of Flexible Polymers and Coated Fabrics
D5538 Practice for Thermoplastic Elastomers—
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
Terminology and Abbreviations
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
D7635/D7635MTestMethodforMeasurementofThickness
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
of Coatings Over Fabric Reinforcement
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
G151PracticeforExposingNonmetallicMaterialsinAccel-
values from the two systems may result in nonconformance
erated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources
with the standard.
G155PracticeforOperatingXenonArcLampApparatusfor
1.4 This standard may involve hazardous materials,
Exposure of Materials
operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
3. Materials and Manufacture
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
3.1 The sheet shall be formulated from ethylene and higher
establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental prac-
alpha-olefin polymers, copolymers, and mixtures thereof, in
tices and determine the applicability of regulatory require-
amounts greater than 50% by weight of the total polymer
ments prior to use.
content, suitably compounded to satisfy the physical require-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
ments in the specification (see Practice D5538).
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3.2 The sheet shall be capable of being heat welded, fused,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
or adhesively bonded to itself for making watertight field
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
splices and repairs, and the supplier or fabricator shall recom-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
mend suitable methods and materials.
3.3 Sheet shall be reinforced with fabric or scrim.
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D08 on
RoofingandWaterproofingandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD08.18
2
on Nonbituminous Organic Roof Coverings. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2021. Published November 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as D6878/D6878M–19. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D6878_D6878M-21. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6878/D6878M−21
4. Physical Properties and Tolerances 7. Test Methods
4.1 Each sheet specimen shall meet or exceed the physical 7.1 Dimensions—Test Methods D751, after permitting the
requirements prescribed in Table 1.
sheet to relax at 23°C [73°F] for 1 h.
4.2 The tolerance for time conditions (aging, weathering,
7.2 Thickness, Sheet Overall—Refer toTest Methods D751.
and so forth) is 6
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM 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: D6878/D6878M − 19 D6878/D6878M − 21
Standard Specification for
Thermoplastic Polyolefin Based Polyolefin-Based Sheet
1
Roofing
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6878/D6878M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. 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 either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the
two systems may result in non-conformancenonconformance with the standard.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D471 Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liquids
D573 Test Method for Rubber—Deterioration in an Air Oven
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
D1149 Test Methods for Rubber Deterioration—Cracking 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
D5538 Practice for Thermoplastic Elastomers—Terminology and Abbreviations
D7635/D7635M Test Method for Measurement of Thickness of Coatings Over Fabric Reinforcement
G151 Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Accelerated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources
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 July 15, 2019Nov. 1, 2021. Published August 2019November 2021. Originally approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 20172019
as D6878/D6878M – 17.D6878/D6878M – 19. DOI: 10.1520/D6878_D6878M-19.10.1520/D6878_D6878M-21.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
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 ----------------------
D6878/D6878M − 21
G155 Practice for Operating Xenon Arc Lamp Apparatus for Exposure of Materials
3. Materials and Manufacture
3.1 The sheet shall be formulated from ethylene and higher alpha-olefin polymers, copolymers, and mixtures thereof, in amounts
greater than 50 %,50 % by weight of the total polymer content, suitably compounded to satisfy the physical requirements in the
specification (see Practice D5538).
3.2 The sheet shall be capable of being heat welded, fused, or adhesively bonded to itself for making watertight field splices and
repairs, and the supplier or fabricator shall recommend suitable methods and materials.
3.3 Sheet shall be reinforced with fabric or scrim.
4. Physical Properties and Tolerances
4.1 Each sheet specimen shall meet or exceed
...