# US 11,111,370 B2 · Promoted membrane for single-ply roofing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,111,370 B2 - Document ID: US11111370B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/594,556 - Filed: 2019-10-07 - Published: 2020-01-30 - Granted: 2021-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2017-04-10 - Assignees: Stepan Company; Carlisle Intangible Company - Applicants: Stepan Company; Carlisle Intangible Company - Inventors: Warren Kaplan; Sarah Wolek; Mike Heishman; William Schneider - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11111370B2 ## CPC - C08L 23/16: Ethylene-propylene or ethylene-propylene-diene copolymers - E04D 1/20: of plastics; {of asphalt;} of fibrous materials - E04D 1/34: Fastenings for attaching roof-covering elements to the supporting elements - C08K 5/0025: {Crosslinking or vulcanising agents; including accelerators} - C08K 5/053: Polyhydroxylic alcohols - C08K 5/092: Polycarboxylic acids - E04D 2001/3435: {Adhesive, hardenable or heat-sensitive material} - C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06) - E04D: ROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS (coverings of outer walls by plaster or other porous material E04F13/00) - C08K: Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients (paints, inks, varnishes, dyes, polishes, adhesives C09) ## Abstract A promoted membrane suitable for use in single-ply roofing applications is disclosed. The membrane comprises EPDM rubber and 0.1 to 10 wt. % of an adhesion promoter. The promoter comprises a polyester resin having a hydroxyl number within the range of 28 to 250 mg KOH/g, a content of terephthalate recurring units within the range of 40 to 65 wt. % based on the amount of polyester resin, and a glass-transition temperature within the range of 40° C. to 80° C. Roofing systems comprising the promoted EPDM membranes are also disclosed. Compared with an unpromoted membrane, the promoted membranes provide a substantial and unexpected boost in peel strength such that the roofing systems resist weather-induced failure of the bond between the roofing membrane and the roof substrate. The invention helps roofers minimize or limit the aggravation and cost of warranty claims from customers whose buildings and contents may otherwise be damaged or destroyed by exposure to wind and/or rain. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A promoted membrane, comprising: (a) an ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM); and (b) incorporated within the rubber, 1 to 10 wt. %, based on the amount of promoted membrane, of an adhesion promoter, the adhesion promoter comprising a polyester resin having a hydroxyl number within the range of 28 to 250 mg KOH/g, a content of terephthalate recurring units within the range of 40 to 65 wt. % based on the amount of polyester resin, and a glass-transition temperature within the range of 40° C. to 80° C.; wherein the polyester resin comprises 20 to 50 wt. %, based on the amount of polyester resin, of recurring units of neopentyl glycol wherein the promoted membrane is suitable for use in single-ply roofing applications. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The membrane of claim 1 comprising EPDM having a tensile strength of at least 1000 psi by ASTM D-412-68, an elongation of at least 250% by ASTM D-412-68, a Die C tear resistance of at least 100 lb./in.-min., and a Shore A hardness within the range of 45 to 75 units. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The membrane of claim 1 comprising 1.5 to 8 wt. % of the adhesion promoter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The membrane of claim 1 wherein the polyester resin has a hydroxyl number within the range of 40 to 230 mg KOH/g. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The membrane of claim 1 wherein the polyester resin has a hydroxyl number within the range of 56 to 112 mg KOH/g. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The membrane of claim 1 wherein the polyester resin has an average hydroxyl functionality within the range of 2 to 6. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The membrane of claim 1 wherein the polyester resin has a content of terephthalate recurring units within the range of 45 to 60 wt. %. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The membrane of claim 1 wherein the polyester resin has a glass-transition temperature within the range of 50° C. to 70° C. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The membrane of claim 1 wherein the polyester resin has an acid number less than 15 mg KOH/g. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The membrane of claim 1 wherein the polyester resin further comprises at least 1 wt. % of recurring units of a hydroxy-functional or acid-functional crosslinker. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The membrane of claim 10 wherein the acid-functional crosslinker is trimellitic anhydride. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The membrane of claim 10 wherein the hydroxy-functional crosslinker is trimethylolpropane. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The membrane of claim 1 further comprising one or more additives selected from the group consisting of pigments, mineral fillers, carbon blacks, clays, cryogenically ground rubber, ground coal, processing oils, waxes, stearic acid, vulcanizing agents, vulcanization promoters, activators, accelerators, green strength promoters, antioxidants, plasticizers, fire retardants, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The membrane of claim 1 having at least a 25% improvement in adhesion to a roof substrate when used in combination with a two-component polyurethane adhesive when compared with the adhesion of a similar membrane made without the adhesion promoter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A roofing system comprising: (a) a roof deck; (b) insulation affixed to the roof deck; (c) a promoted membrane of claim 1; and (d) an adhesive; wherein the adhesive bonds the promoted membrane to the insulation. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The roofing system of claim 15 wherein the adhesive is a non-foaming, low-VOC two-part polyurethane adhesive. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The roofing system of claim 16 wherein the adhesive comprises a reaction product of (a) a “B side” comprising (i) from about 5 wt. % to about 20 wt. % non-polyester polyol; (ii) from about 80 wt. % to about 95 wt. % aliphatic polyester polyol having a hydroxyl number within the range of 150 to 300 mg KOH/g and an average hydroxyl functionality of about 1.8 to 2.2; and (iii) less than 1 wt. % catalyst, based on the weight of the B-side components; and (b) an “A side” comprising (i) from about 80 wt. % to about 92 wt. % of at least one polyisocyanate, and (ii) from about 8 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of a non-reactive plasticizer based on the weight of the A side components; wherein the “B side” and “A side” are reacted at a volume ratio of about 1:1, and the adhesive is formulated at an NCO/OH index within the range of 0.90 to 1.10.