RHOPLEX EC-1791 100% Acrylic Polymer for Roof Coatings

Description EC Technology for Elastomeric Roof Coatings Typical Performance Properties of Formulated Elastomeric Roof Coatings Durability Low-Temperature Flexibility Tensile Strength and Elongation Dirt Pickup Resistance RHOPLEX EC-1791 Latex Polymer Typical Physical Properties Actual Performance Properties of Elastomeric Roof Coatings Based on RHOPLEX EC-1791 Tensile Strength and Elongation Dirt Pickup Resistance and Low-Temperature Flexibility Superior Adhesion to Polyurethane Foam Long-Term Exterior Roofing Exposure
Note: Rohm and Haas is a raw materials supplier, not a coatings manufacturer. Development of a final formulation, testing, application, and ultimate performance of a coating is fully the responsibility of the formulator.

Thanks to Rohm and Haas Company's improved RHOPLEX EC technology, roof coating manufacturers now have the ability to produce a variety of superior, 100 percent acrylic-based products developed specifically for use in protective elastomeric roof coatings. Although acrylic latex polymers are known for their exterior durability and ultraviolet resistance, early roofing applications were occasionally problematic because the polymers were designed for applications other than roofing. The new acrylics for roofing, however, are internally plasticized to maintain elastomeric properties, such as low-temperature flexibility. In addition, they are combined with unique chemistries that provide both long-term dirt pickup resistance and outstanding adhesion to many roofing substrates. The durable 100 percent acrylic-based coatings can be easily applied over a variety of roofing substrates including aged built-up, polyurethane foam, galvanized steel, or cured concrete, and offer the following benefits. Superior exterior durability and UV light resistance Low-Temperature flexibility down to -15F Dirt pickup resistance Excellent adhesion to polyurethane foam and many other construction substrates High reflectivity which reduces roof surface temperatures, thereby prolonging roof life and reducing interior temperatures and air conditioning energy costs Easy application by spray, brush, or roller, resulting in low installation costs Low toxicity and odor Simple water cleanup for manufacturers and contractors RHOPLEX EC-1791 RHOPLEX EC-1791 latex was developed in 1979 specifically for superior wet and dry adhesion to low- and highdensity polyurethane foam. Coatings based on RHOPLEX EC-1791 also exhibit excellent adhesion to a variety of other construction and roofing substrates.

Typical Performance Properties of Formulated Elastomeric Roof Coatings Listed below are the individual properties inherent in RHOPLEX EC technology. It is important to remember that it is the balance of these properties that is unique to this chemistry. Although coatings based on other technologies may exhibit excellence in one or two performance properties, it is the combination of all the properties that is required for a successful elastomeric roof coating. Durability Since the advent of Plexiglas acrylic plastic sheet during World War II, acrylics have been known for their exceptional durability, offering unequaled resistance to degradation by sunlight and moisture. It was the UV resistance of the acrylic polymerthe lack of which is the major cause of failure in conventional roofing systems that first led manufacturers to consider acrylic polymers for elastomeric roof coatings. Through RHOPLEX EC technology, these acrylic polymers have been tailored specifically for elastomeric roofing applications. Low-Temperature Flexibility Coatings for dimensionally unstable roofing substrates must have long-term, low-temperature flexibility. This is necessary to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction of the substrate, so that coatings will not fail over an extended period of time or with extreme weather conditions. It should be remembered that the effects of extreme weather conditions are not restricted to cold climates. Water contact after a sudden thunderstorm on a hot day in any geographic location can rapidly drop the roof temperature as much as 100, causing severe thermal stress to the roof surface. Formulations based on RHOPLEX EC technology can withstand a 180 flexibility bend at -15F without cracking. Since there is no plasticizer to migrate from the system, this flexibility is retained over time. Long-term resistance to cracking can extend the life of the roof. It is important to note that elastomeric roof coatings should exhibit good mechanical properties at room and low temperatures before and after exterior exposure. Tensile Strength and Elongation Thermal movement of a roof requires high tensile strength and elongation as well. The tolerance for movement of these coatings is essential due to the dynamic nature of a roofing substrate which expands and contracts due to climatic and weather conditions and the shifting and settling of the foundation. These properties also give properly formulated elastomeric roof coatings the needed flexibility and elasticity to withstand impact from foot traffic and other abuse without rupturing. Dirt Pickup Resistance Polymers designed for elastomeric roof coatings combine the inherent flexibility of pliable, low Tg polymers with long-term resistance to dirt pickup. Without dirt pickup resistance, the roof coating would quickly darken with age. Because dark materials tend to absorb heat, dirt pickup can significantly increase roof surface temperatures, which in turn increases interior temperatures and energy costs. RHOPLEX EC-based coatings, however, resist dirt pickup, and retain their white, reflective appearance. Test roofs have shown that after five year's exposure, the surface temperature of the RHOPLEX EC-based acrylic coating was 35F cooler than that of a conventional caulk polymer coating and 85F cooler than a black uncoated roof. RHOPLEX EC-1791 Latex Polymer Although designed specifically for superior wet and dry adhesion to high and low density polyurethane foam, elastomeric roof coatings properly formulated with RHOPLEX EC-1791 latex polymer exhibit excellent adhesion to other typical roofing substrates. It should be noted, however, that significant departure from recommended formulations, especially use of other wetting agents or water-sensitive components, may adversely affect the wet adhesion.

RHOPLEX EC-1791 emulsions offer wide formulation latitude in the selection of pigments and extenders. A variety of dry-ground metal oxide pigments can be used to produce tinted roof mastics having excellent color retention. RHOPLEX EC-1971-based elastomeric roof coating formulations, such as ARM-91-1, are described in Tables 6 and 7. Typical Physical Properties The typical physical properties of RHOPLEX EC-1791 latex polymer are shown in Table 1. Table 1 Typical Physical Properties
These properties are typical but do not constitute specifications.

Description % Solids pH Density, lb/gal Tg Storage Stability Viscosity, cps

100% Acrylic Latex Polymer 55 9.4 8.70 -40C Protect from freezing 140 maximum

Excellent adhesion to polyurethane foam and other substrates. Tinted formulations available. Actual Performance Properties of RHOPLEX EC-1791-Based Elastomeric Roof Coatings Formulation ARM-91-1 based on RHOPLEX EC-1791 has been successfully used on roofs since 1981. This formulation passes the ASTM D-6083 Standard Specification for Liquid Applied Acrylic Coatings Used in Roofing. Tensile Strength and Elongation Formulations based on RHOPLEX EC-1791 acrylic expand and contract along with the roofing substrate to which they are applied because of their excellent tensile strength, elongation, and recovery properties. Resistance to cracking will be maintained and upon long-term exterior exposure, because RHOPLEX EC-1791 acrylic does not require a plasticizer. Typical tensile strength, elongation, and recovery properties of a RHOPLEX EC-1791-based elastomeric roof coating are shown in Table 2. Table 2 Typical Mechanical Properties of RHOPLEX EC-1791-Based Elastomeric Roof Coatings Mechanical Properties After 2-Week Cure 70F/50% Relative Humidity* Property Percent Recovery Percent Elongation Maximum Stress Break Tensile Strength (psi) Maximum Stress Break 173 (242) 167 (232) 245 (394) 220 (385) 728 (699) 659 (699) 240 (140) 245 (230) 120 (110) 215 (180) 80 (70) 130 (120) 74F 65 (65) 32F 54 (65) 0F 63 (52)

* The numbers in parentheses are after an additional 50 hours Weather-Ometer exposure. These numbers show noticeably lower elongation and higher tensile strength than after only a two-week cure. The additional Weather-Ometer exposure ensures complete cure of the coating and also leaches out the water-sensitive components of the formulation, e.g., ethylene glycol, HEC thickener, and dispersants which act to hydroplasticize the roof coating film. The use of 50-hour Weather-Ometer exposure or a "zero point" is recommended for monitoring changes that occur in accelerated or real-world exposure studies.

Dirt Pickup Resistance and Low-Temperature Flexibility The combination of dirt pickup resistance and low-temperature flexibility is unique to formulations based on RHOPLEX EC acrylic polymers from Rohm and Haas. Surfaces coated with these formulations retain the initial white, reflective color (Figure 1), thereby decreasing the exterior surface temperature of the roof and further reducing interior building temperatures. This could mean a savings in air conditioning costs. It is necessary for roof coatings to have low-temperature flexibility because they must accommodate the thermal expansion and contraction of the roofing substrate. In addition, they must resist the impact of hailstones prevalent in most climates. Standard Formulation ARM-91-1 can be bent 180 over a 1/8 inch mandrel at -15 F without breaking or cracking.

Figure 1Both test panels were exposed to a heavy industrial environment for one year. Formulation ARM-91-1 (right panel) resisted dirt pickup, while the roof coating based on a conventional flexible polymer did not (left panel). Superior Adhesion to Polyurethane Foam Formulations based on RHOPLEX EC-1791 acrylic exhibit superior adhesion to polyurethane foam. The standard 180 peel adhesion test based on ASTM C-794 specification measures the wet and dry adhesion properties of an elastomeric roof coating formulation. Samples of Formulation ARM-91-1 based on RHOPLEX EC-1791 acrylic were tested on an Instron Unit. According to test results, the weakest point was found to be in the cohesive strength of the foam rather than the bond between the roof mastic and the foam. The adhesion data in Table 3 reveal that Formulation ARM-91-1 actually tore the foam during the test. This type of failure is referred to as cohesive failure in the substrate. The conventional acrylic roof coating failed adhesively in the same test, and the values were significantly lower than those recorded for Formulation ARM-91-1. The excellent peel adhesion data obtained in the laboratory were also found in tests run under exterior exposure conditions. Results appear in Table 4.

Table 3 Adhesion to Polyurethane Foam Formulation Binder Foam Density (lb/ft) 2.5 3.5 4.0
4

ARM-91-1 RHOPLEX EC-1791 Dry 5.0 C 3.5 C 3.6 C Wet 3.0 C 2.0 C 3.5 C

Conventional Acrylic Roof Coating Latex Dry 1.0 A 1.0 A 1.0 A Wet <0.2 A <0.2 A <0.2 A

Peel Adhesion (lb/in) on Urethane Foam

A = Adhesive Interfacial Failure C = Cohesive Failure in Substrate Sample cured two weeks at 75 F/25 C, and 50% relative humidity and tested. Samples cured two weeks at 75 F/25 C, and 50% relative humidity, and then immersed in water for one week and tested while wet. Smooth surface texture. 4 Orange peel surface texture.

Table 4 Adhesion of Formulation ARM-91-1 to Polyurethane Foam After Exterior Exposure Cure Time One week dry One week dry + one week water soak Eight weeks exterior Twenty-eight weeks exterior Two years exterior Four years exterior Adhesion 4.8 lb/in 4.1 lb/in 4.4 lb/in 4.0 lb/in 5.0 lb/in 5.4 lb/in Failure cohesive cohesive cohesive cohesive cohesive cohesive

Samples cured one week at 75 F/25 C, and 50% relative humidity and tested. Samples cured one week at 75 F/25 C, and 50% relative humidity, and then immersed in water for one week and tested while wet. Samples exposed horizontal face up, Southeastern Pennsylvania. Samples not cured in the laboratory.

Long-Term Exterior Roofing Exposure Early prototypes of RHOPLEX EC-1791-based coatings have been on exposure since the late 1970s and in actual roofing applications since 1981. These exposures continue to demonstrate excellent performance. Elastomeric roof coating formulation ARM-91-1 also has excellent adhesion to many common construction substrates. Some examples are listed in Table 5. Table 5 Adhesion of Formulation ARM-91-1 to Common Construction Substrates Peel Adhesion lb/in Substrate Polyurethane Foam Galvanized Steel White Pine APP Modified Bitumen Asphalt Shingles
A = Adhesive Failure CP = Cohesive Peak Failure Samples cured two weeks at 75 F/25 C and 50% relative humidity and tested. Samples cured two weeks at 75 F/25 and 50% relative humidity, and then immersed in water for one week and tested while wet.

Dry 5.0 cp 5.0 cp 6.0 cp 1.3 A 1.5 A

Wet 3.5 cp 2.0 cp 0.5 cp 0.4 A 0.5 A

Suggested Manufacturing Procedure Rohm and Haas Research Laboratories have developed a manufacturing procedure specifically designed to help minimize air entrapment in elastomeric roof coatings. The key to the recommended procedure is to mix at the interface of the grind and the letdown. The rapid reduction

in the viscosity of the grind (caused by mixing with the low viscosity of the letdown) forces the entrapped air to rise to the surface. The suggested manufacturing procedure is as follows (see Tables 6 and 7): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Charge the initial ingredients (A) of the GRIND to the mixing kettle (Note: the KTPP must be added before any RHOPLEX EC emulsion can be charged into the kettle or the polymer will gel). While mixing at low speed, add the pigments (B) to the kettle. After all the pigments are in the kettle, stop the mixer and scrape the sides and bottom of the kettle. Turn the mixer back on and grind at high speed for 15-30 minutes, or until a good grind is obtained (Hegman reading of 4.5 to 5.0). Slow the mixer to its lowest speed. Turn it off (Eliminate this step with RHOPLEX EC-1791-based formulations). For the LETDOWN, add (C) the RHOPLEX EC emulsion to the kettle and "layer" the defoamer on top of the RHOPLEX EC emulsion. Turn the mixer on and blend this mix together. While blending, add ingredients D and E to the kettle. Add ingredients F, as a premix, immediately after the NH4OH has been added to the mix. Ingredients F must be added within 5 minutes of the NH4OH or necessary thickening time will drastically increase (After adding ingredients F, the mix will appear grainy. Upon incorporation of the thickener, the mix will become glossy). Table 6 Standard ARM-91-1 Roof Mastic Formulation Order of Addition* Ingredients Grind A. Water TAMOL 850 KTPP Nopco NXZ B. Snowhite 12 Ti-Pure R-960 Kadox 915 Letdown C. D. E. F. Physical Constants Solids Content, % by Weight by Volume PVC Density, lb/gal Viscosity, KU pH 66.9 50.8 43.0 12.1 95 8.6 RHOPLEX EC-1791 (55%) Nopco NXZ Texanol SKANE M-8 NH4OH (28%) Propylene Glycol Natrosol 250 MXR 470.6 1.9 7.0 2.1 1.0 24.4 4.2 152.5 4.8 1.4 1.9 422.2 70.4 46.9 Lbs/100 Gal

* To prevent gum formation during manufacture, RHOPLEX EC-1791 and other components added in the letdown must be added with continuous agitation. Shutting down the mixer to "layer" in the letdown components may result in excessive gum formation. NOTE: Rohm and Haas is a raw materials supplier, not a coatings manufacturer. Development of a final formulation, testing, application, and ultimate performance of a coating is fully the responsibility of the user.

For information about RHOPLEX EC-1791 Deeptone Color formulations, please contact your Rohm and Haas Account Manager or Distributor Representative.

Ingredient Natrosol 250MXR TAMOL KTPP Nopco NXZ Ti-Pure R-960 Snowhite 12 Kadox 915 RHOPLEX EC Polymers Texanol SKANE M-8 Mapico Mapico Mapico Mapico Black 422 444 Tan 15

Supplier Aqualon, Inc. Wilmington, Delaware Rohm and Haas Company Philadelphia, Pennsylvania F.M.C. Corporation Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Henkel Corp. Ambler, Pennsylvania E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Inc. Wilmington, Delaware Omya Canada Inc. Perth, Ontario, Canada ZINC Corp. of America Monaca, Pennsylvania Rohm and Haas Company Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Eastman Kodak Rochester, New York Rohm and Haas Company Philadelphia, Pennsylvania LaPorte Pigments Beltsville, Maryland

Chrome Oxide X-1134 RO 8097 Kroma Red/ R 2899 Copperas Red Yellow Oxide 2288D Burnt Umber L Miox 416 Silver Bond B**

Ciba-Geigy Corporation Hawthorne New York Pfizer Corporation Easton, Pennsylvania Hoover Color Corporation Chatham, New Jersey Landers-Segal Co. Passaic, New Jersey Tammsco Inc. Tamms, Illinois

* Fine tuning of a formulation may be necessary to achieve a balance of performance properties. However, changes in either the nature of the formulating ingredients, the amount used, or in certain extreme situations, the substitution of one material for another (considered to be its generic equivalent) may substantially alter this balance. It is strongly recommended that a battery of performance tests be implemented to periodically assess formulation performance. Such testing should be done with inclusion of a control formulation previously determined to possess a satisfactory balance of performance properties to qualify all raw material substitutions and formulation changes. These tests should address mechanical performance, water resistance, and formulated product stability criteria in arriving at an overall performance balance. ** 12-40 from Tammsco Inc., Tamms, Illinois, may be substituted. Safe Handling Information Based on final composition, RHOPLEX EC acrylics are not expected to be acutely toxic. They may be a slight to moderate skin, eye, or respiratory irritant. SKANE M-8, which is recommended in some of the formulations in this bulletin, can cause severe eye or skin damage and allergic reaction. It is important that you review our Material Safety Data Sheet and literature on this product before using it and that it be used only at the recommended levels.

Rohm and Haas Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) contain pertinent information that you may need to protect your employees and customers against any known health or safety hazards associated with our products. Under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, workers must have access to and understand MSDS on all hazardous substances to which they are exposed. Thus, it is important that you provide appropriate training and information to your employees and make sure they have available to them MSDS on any hazardous products in their workplace. Rohm and Haas Company sends MSDS on non-OSHA hazardous as well as OSHA-hazardous products to both the "bill to" and "ship to" locations of all our customers upon initial shipment (including samples) of all of our products (whether or not they are considered OSHA-hazardous). If you do not have access to one of these MSDS, please contact your local Rohm and Haas representative for an additional copy. Updated MSDS are sent on an annual basis to all customers on record. MSDS should be obtained from the suppliers of other materials recommended in this bulletin. The roof coating formulations offered in this bulletin by the Rohm and Haas Company have not been evaluated in accordance with Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., Standard 790 "Tests for Fire Resistance of Roof Covering Materials" (ASTM E-108). Therefore, roof mastics based upon these formulations should only be used where nonclassified roof coverings are permitted by building codes and other regulations. If flame retardants are added to the Rohm and Haas recommended formulations in order to obtain a classified roof covering (A, B, or C), it is the responsibility of the manufacturer of the roof mastic to obtain a UL listing and an approval for its product required under any applicable building code or regulation. Furthermore, the addition of flame retardants may affect deleteriously the functional properties of the roof mastic both before and after being exposed to the weather.

RHOPLEX, SKANE, and TAMOL are registered trademarks of Rohm and Haas Company or of its subsidiaries or affiliates. TAMOL and RHOPLEX are intended to designate goods marketed in North and South America; the same goods may be marketed in other countries, generally under other company trademark designations. NOTICE: These suggestions and data are based on information we believe to be reliable. They are offered in good faith but, as conditions and methods of use of our products are beyond our control, Rohm and Haas company makes no warranties either expressed or implied concerning the final roof coating. Rohm and Haas company expressly disclaims any implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose. We recommend that the prospective user determine the suitability of our materials and suggestions before adopting them on a commercial scale. Suggestions for uses of our products or the inclusion of descriptive material from patents and the citation of specific patents in this publication should not be understood as recommending the use of our products in violation of any patents of the Rohm and Haas Company. Any statement concerning the performance characteristics or suitability of roof mastics made with RHOPLEX acrylic EC technology other than those contained herein must not be relied upon as having been authorized by Rohm and Haas Company.

Rohm and Haas, 2007

All rights reserved.

February 2001 81A236