PRE-APPLIED MEMBRANES

Abstract

A laminated pre-applied membrane is provided. The membrane comprises a layer of polyethylene and a rubber or rubber-based layer.

Claims

1. A laminated pre-applied membrane comprising a carrier layer and a rubber or rubber-based layer, wherein the carrier layer comprises a polyethylene layer and wherein the rubber or rubber-based layer comprises a mineral additive.

2. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the polyethylene layer is a layer of: low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene or high density polyethylene.

3. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the polyethylene layer is a polyethylene film layer.

4. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the carrier layer comprises the polyethylene layer and at least one additional layer selected from layers of low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol and nylon.

5. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the mineral additive comprises at least one mineral additive selected from the group consisting of kaolin, kaolinite, metakaolin, chalk and calcium carbonate.

6. The membrane according to claim 5, wherein the mineral additive comprises a kaolin.

7. The membrane according to claim 5, wherein the mineral additive comprises kaolinite or metakaolin.

8. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the rubber or rubber-based layer comprises a butyl rubber.

9. The membrane according to claim 8, wherein the butyl rubber comprises reclaimed butyl rubber.

10. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the rubber or rubber-based layer comprises a blend of virgin rubber and reclaimed rubber.

11. The membrane according to claim 8, wherein the rubber or rubber-based layer comprises a blend of virgin butyl rubber and reclaimed butyl rubber.

12. The membrane according to claim 8, wherein the butyl rubber is a nitrile butyl rubber.

13. The membrane according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the virgin butyl rubber and the reclaimed butyl rubber is a nitrile butyl rubber.

14. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the carrier layer has a thickness in the range 0.55 mm to 1.25 mm; or approximately 1 mm; and/or the rubber or rubber-based layer has a thickness in the range 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm.

15. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the mineral additive is mixed into the rubber or rubber-based layer.

16. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the mineral additive is embedded in or on an upper surface of the rubber or rubber-based layer.

17. The membrane according to claim 1, wherein the rubber or rubber-based layer further comprises at least one process aid selected from the group consisting of stabilising agents; softening agents; tackifiers and colourants.

18. The membrane according to claim 1, further comprising a release sheet provided on or over the rubber or rubber-based layer, wherein the release sheet is a removable release sheet or a dissolvable release sheet.

19. The membrane according to claim 18, wherein the release sheet has a thickness in the range 0.03 mm to 0.15 mm.

20. A waterproofing membrane or gas-barrier membrane comprising a membrane as claimed in claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] FIG. 1 shows an example of a membrane formed in accordance with the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows an example of the constituents of a rubber layer formed in accordance with the present invention.

[0053] In other embodiments different percentages of components can, of course, be used; for example:

TABLE-US-00001 Rubber 30% to 75% Mineral Additive 1% to 30% Process Aids 5% to 30%

[0054] The mineral additive may, for example be: calcium carbonate and/or kaolin and/or kaolinite and/or metakaolin.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows an example of the constituents of a rubber layer useful in conjunction with a dissolvable release liner formed in accordance with the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 4 shows the constituents of a dissolvable release liner formed in accordance with the present invention.

[0057] FIG. 5 below illustrates the improved bond strength between membrane and the concrete after 3 days.

[0058] *Sample area=125 cm.sup.2 (5 cm wide by 25 cm long). i.e. the rubber layer of this area size is in contact with the concrete. 180 degree peel adhesion test performed.

[0059] The force required to peel of the sample area is recorded above. When comparing sample I (control sample with no additive) to sample 2 (sample with mineral additive), the force required to pull sample 2 away from the concrete was more than 5 times than sample I.

[0060] FIG. 6 shows an example of a roll of structural waterproofing pre-applied membrane.

[0061] The membrane is a laminated structure with a layer of PE and a butyl rubber layer. In this embodiment a release layer is included.

[0062] The PE layer provides puncture resistance. The rubber layer chemically engages with concrete in use.

[0063] The dimensions shown are non-limiting.

[0064] The rubber layer may have a mineral additive.

[0065] Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.