ASTM Issues New Standard
ASTM recognizes moisture-triggered polyurethanes
By Masonry
With the recent adoption of ASTM D7311-07: "Standard Specification for Liquid Applied, Single Pack, Moisture-Triggered Aliphatic Polyurethane Roofing Membranes," moisture-triggered polyurethanes are being recognized in a class of their own versus their moisture-cured counterparts.
A "moisture triggered" polyurethane uses moisture from the atmosphere to trigger the curing process, while a "moisture cured" polyurethane is moisture sensitive, and its curing process is dependent on environmental factors.
Decothane, manufactured by Middletown, Conn.-based Liquid Plastics Inc. (LPI), is a single component, cold liquid-applied roofing membrane, and said to be the only moisture-triggered polyurethane known to meet the new standard.
Frank Dippolito, national sales manager, LPI, has been working with Bob Stanfield, technical director, Liquid Plastics Ltd. of Lancashire, England, since 2005 to have ASTM recognize the significant difference between moisture-triggered and moisture-cured polyurethanes.
"The adoption of ASTM D7311 is an important step toward legitimizing fluid-applied roofing and waterproofing membranes as viable low-slope roofing solutions," Dippolito says. "The standard distinguishes these technologies from their roof coating counterparts, which are not generally recognized as effective, long-term, primary weather barriers. Being recognized by such an independent body as ASTM brings validity to the story Liquid Plastics has been working hard to convey to the U.S. market since 1991, and brings us another step closer to becoming mainstream in the U.S. roofing materials market."
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