Young’s Modulus as a Criterion for the Performance of Polymer-Modified Bituminous Roofing Membranes

Bituminous roofing membranes are composites which contain long-fiber reinforcement such as glass mat. The mechanical properties of these composites are very dependent on both reinforcements and bituminous resin. In this investigation, the modulus of long E-glass fiber composites was studied with changes in blown bitumen, bitumen 60/70 penetration grade, iPP and heavy vacuum slops (H.V.S) content as bituminous resins components. It was found that at high concentrations of asphaltenes and in absence of iPP, the percolation threshold phenomenon decrease the modulus of composites. But in presence of iPP decrease in modulus is due to formation of a segregated network of asphaltenes. Meanwhile, interdiffusion–coalescence of iPP droplets at transition state increases the composite's modulus. The other observation was that the Voigt's model fairly predicts the mechanical behavior of this class of composites.

Young’s Modulus as a Criterion for the Performance of Polymer-Modified Bituminous Roofing Membranes Keywords:

Bitumen , roofing membrane , Young’s modulus , glass-fiber , Voigt's model