EP1693503A1 - Reinforcement for building elements and roofing membranes - Google Patents

Abstract

Reinforcing material comprising bonded, flocked and/or interwoven inorganic fibers comprises a coating of organic material on the fibers. An independent claim is also included for roofing felt comprising an insert of reinforcing material as above in layers of bituminous material, plastic and/or elastomer.

Description

The invention relates to a reinforcement according to the preamble of claim 1, a use of the reinforcement and a roofing membrane according to the preamble of claim 10.

Reinforcements of the type mentioned here are used to reinforce components of various kinds, for example for components of vehicle construction, plant construction and the furniture industry. In addition, find such reinforcements also for the formation of carrier or reinforcing inserts of webs of various kinds, especially in the construction sector in building construction, civil engineering and bridge use. A preferred use of these reinforcements is the field of structural waterproofing, especially roofing membranes here. Such reinforcements are divided into two main groups, namely those of inorganic fibers, filaments and the like and those of organic fibers, filaments and the like. For example, glass fibers, glass cloths or glass nets are formed from inorganic fibers. For example, polyester webs, polyester webs or polyester webs are made from organic fibers.

Inorganic fibers, such as glass fibers or carbon fibers, have a low extensibility and therefore have poor mechanical properties. In contrast, fibers made of inorganic materials are easy to process, non-flammable and cheap. Fibers of organic materials, in particular plastics, have a low dimensional stability, are not as easy to process, flammable and expensive. The advantages of organic synthetic fibers are their good elasticity and good mechanical properties.

To reduce the disadvantages of the individual materials, it is known to form reinforcements of composite layers of nonwovens, fabrics and / or nets of inorganic and organic materials. Such composite multi-layer reinforcements are expensive and only partially eliminate the disadvantages of the individual materials.

The invention has for its object to provide a reinforcement and uses thereof, in particular a roofing membrane, which combine the advantages of inorganic and organic materials in a simple manner, but at least for the most part do not have the disadvantages of these individual materials.

A reinforcement for solving this problem has the features of claim 1. The fact that the inorganic fibers, threads, strands or the like have a coating of organic material, creates a kind of sandwich fiber, the inside of a core of stable, incombustible organic material, such as glass, and externally consists of organic material with good mechanical properties. Such composite fibers can be well connected, intertwined and / or interwoven, in particular due to the outer coating with organic material.

In a preferred embodiment of the reinforcement, the thickness or wall thickness of the organic coating is at least lower than the thickness, in particular the diameter, of the inorganic fibers, threads or strands, in the case of nonwovens and woven fabrics. The thickness of the coating is preferably only up to 80%, in particular only up to 30% to 50%, of the diameter of the inorganic fibers, strands or threads. As a result, the organic coating has a mass or weight which corresponds approximately to that of polyester threads or strands. However, the mass or the weight of the organic coating can also be less than or greater than the mass or the weight of a polyester thread or strand.

The thickness of the coating may be up to 0.01 mm for fibers to form a nonwoven or woven reinforcement. For threads for Armierungsgeweben, but the core of inorganic threads usually has a slightly larger diameter than fleece-like reinforcements by the thickness or wall thickness of Coating up to 0.05 mm. For net-like reinforcements, the wall thickness or thickness of the coating can be even greater, namely up to 1 mm.

In relation to the grammage of the inorganic threads and fibers, the grammage of the organic plastic coating or coating is 2 to 4 times as large. It has been found that such a material mix with particularly balanced properties, in particular with the greatest possible elimination of the disadvantages of the individual materials arises.

As a material for the coating is preferably thermoplastic material into consideration. This may be polyester, but also polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene and similar thermoplastics. These are inexpensive and at least largely eliminate the detrimental properties of inorganic fibers.

In a preferred reinforcement, the coating is formed as a closed outer covering of the inorganic fibers or filaments. In this case, the covering has the thickness of the coating, namely, depending on whether the reinforcement is a fleece, a woven fabric or a net, for example between 0.005 mm and 1 mm.

It is further provided that the individual threads, fibers or strands of the reinforcement in the region of the coating or coating of organic material are connected to each other. This connection can be made by either welding, sealing, gluing or the like, but also combinations of the mentioned types of connection. In a fleece-like reinforcement, the fibers, threads or strands are bonded together by thermal bonding, preferably by means of the outer organic coating or coating. The organic coating or coating contributes to good connectivity of the fibers, threads or strands. In particular, these can be effectively and permanently connected by the outer covering or coating of the inorganic fibers, strands or threads of organic material. It can be dispensed with additional binder in the thermal consolidation.

The coating of the coated or coated inorganic fibers is carried out in such a way that in the regions of the compound, the envelope or coating of organic material, in particular thermoplastic, substantially preserved. The coating or coating of organic material ensures good cohesion of the fibers, strands or threads.

As inorganic fibers are preferably glass fibers, carbon fibers or the like into consideration. Likewise, inorganic threads or strands may be formed of glass or carbon.

The reinforcement described above is preferably used according to the invention for the formation of at least parts of a support insert for structural waterproofing, in particular a roofing membrane. However, the reinforcement according to the invention can also be used for the formation of other webs, in particular cover webs, and components, for example the furniture or vehicle industry, but also floor coverings. Likewise, the reinforcement according to the invention can be used in the field of plant construction, aircraft construction and shipbuilding. In the latter areas, the reinforcement according to the invention is used primarily for the formation of glass fiber reinforced plastics.

A roofing membrane for solving the above-mentioned problem has the features of claim 10. Accordingly, at least one carrier insert of the roofing membrane is at least partially formed from a reinforcement comprising inorganic fibers, strands or threads which are provided with a coating or coating of an organic material. The liner insert may be nonwoven, woven or net webs and combinations thereof. Such a roofing membrane has good mechanical properties and good dimensional stability. Above all, such a roofing membrane is poorly flammable. In addition, with the reinforcement according to the invention, it is possible to form a high-performance roof track with only a single carrier insert. This single carrier insert can have the properties of two or more separate carrier inserts known roofing membranes, namely in itself.

Preferably, the carrier insert is completely saturated with bitumen or plastic or elastomer for forming the roofing membrane, wherein the bitumen or the like serving as a base material surrounds or encloses the envelope of the inorganic fibers formed from organic material. As a result, a good connection between the base material of the roofing membrane and the carrier insert is ensured, which prevents delamination phenomena and in particular gives the roofing membrane a good rollability.

It is further provided that in the roofing membrane, the proportion by weight of the coating of organic material about the weight, in particular the grammage of a carrier insert of exclusively organic material such as polyester corresponds. Preferably, the weight fraction of the organic material coating is in the range of 60% to 120% of the weight (grammage) of the inorganic material portion of the carrier liner. The weight fraction of the organic material in the total weight of the coated fiber is preferably more than 40%. In this way, a carrier insert is created with exceptional properties, which in particular does not have the disadvantages of fibers, threads or strands of inorganic material substantially.

Examples of the reinforcement according to the invention are described in more detail below:

If the reinforcement is a nonwoven web, glass fibers or else threads of other inorganic materials, for example carbon fibers, serve as starting material. Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, only glass threads are mentioned, without the invention being restricted thereto. During or after the production of the glass threads, a coating of the same takes place with a thermoplastic, for example polyethylene terephthalate (PETP). The coating takes place in such a way that the glass fibers receive a closed outer covering of the thermoplastic material, wherein the weight proportion of the plastic covering can approximately correspond to the weight (grammage) of a conventional plastic fleece. The glass threads or fibers of the reinforcement have a diameter in the range of 0.01 mm to 0.02 mm. The cover of organic material, for example PETP, has a thickness or wall thickness of 0.003 mm to 0.01 mm, wherein it may be 30% to 80% of the diameter of the glass fibers. The grammage of the core of glass fibers or filaments is 3 to 120 g / m ² , preferably in the range between 4 and 60 g / m ² . The grammage of the organic plastic wrap is 5 to 360 g / m ² . Preferably, this grammage is in the range between 6 and 200 g / m ² . In ratio, the grammage of the organic plastic wrapper is 2 to 4 times as high as the grammage of the glass threads or fibers forming the core.

From the glass fibers encased in plastic, for example PETP, polyester or the like, a nonwoven web is now formed continuously by thermally bonding the coated glass filaments. The thermal consolidation can also be done with the aid of binders. At the site of thermal consolidation is It is also conceivable to connect the plastic-coated glass threads by gluing, sealing and / or the like to each other to the nonwoven web.

The nonwoven web thus produced may have a basis weight, namely a total grammage, of preferably 10 to 260 g / m ² . The total grammage of the reinforcement formed from a nonwoven web need not be more than that of a conventional nonwoven fabric.

The nonwoven web formed from plastic-coated glass fibers can be used in plant construction, in the furniture industry, for covering purposes, for example floor coverings, in aircraft construction, in vehicle construction or in shipbuilding. Above all, however, the nonwoven web can be used in the construction sector, and here in particular to structural waterproofing, in particular roofing membranes that meet the highest requirements, so that it can form a single-layer roof covering with only one roofing membrane.

Armaments in which the plastic-clad glass fibers, glass threads or glass strands are formed from a woven, textile reinforcement can also be formed in the above-described manner. In such a reinforcing fabric, the glass fibers or glass fibers have approximately the same diameter as in a glass fleece. However, the diameter of the glass threads or fibers in Armierungsgeweben may be slightly larger, up to twice the thickness, ie up to 0.04 mm amount. The thermoplastic envelope then has a thickness (wall thickness) of up to 0.04 mm. Preferably, the thickness of the thermoplastic wrap is about 40% to 80% of the diameter of the glass fibers or threads forming the core. The grammages of the glass fibers or filaments and the sheath formed of plastic may correspond to the grammages mentioned above in connection with the nonwoven. Also, such fabric reinforcements are suitable for all previously described applications.

Finally, the reinforcement can also consist of a network of plastic-clad glass fibers, glass threads or glass strands. In this case, the glass threads or strands usually have an even larger diameter than the glass fleece or the glass fabric. The diameter of the glass threads or strands in the reinforcing mesh can be up to 1 mm, preferably up to 0.7 mm. The wall thickness of the envelope of the glass threads or strands formed of plastic may be so large that it corresponds to the diameter of the glass threads or strands. Preferably, the wall thickness of the plastic sheath is lower, namely, only up to 80% of the diameter of the Glass threads or strands. The grammage of the organic material (glass threads or glass strands) of the reinforcing mesh is in the range of 5 to 120 g / m ² . The grammage of the envelope formed from thermoplastic material (polyester, PETP or the like) is then 10 to 150 g / m ² . The reinforcing mesh is also suitable for all applications mentioned above in connection with the reinforcing fleece.

A roofing membrane may have a single carrier insert from the above-described reinforcements. This carrier insert is provided on both sides with a cover layer of a bituminous material, such as polymer bitumen, standard bitumen or modified bitumen, but also plastic, such as PVC or elastomer, such as EPDM. In addition, the carrier insert is completely saturated by the bitumen, plastic or elastomer.

The carrier insert is formed from at least one of the reinforcements according to the invention. For example, the carrier insert may be formed from a nonwoven having thermally bonded fibers. The fibers are formed of inorganic material. Preferably, they are glass fibers. These fibers of inorganic material, in particular glass fibers, but also for example carbon fibers, are coated with a thermoplastic material which forms an outer, closed envelope of the glass fibers. The plastic is preferably polyester, PETP or the like. But other thermoplastics come into consideration.

The glass fibers enveloped by the thermoplastic material are then bonded to a nonwoven web by thermal consolidation. The thermal consolidation takes place in the region of the cladding of the glass fibers of thermoplastic material, in particular polyester, instead, without an additional binder.

Alternatively, the preferably single carrier insert of the roofing membrane may also be formed from the fabric reinforcement or reinforcement network described above.

It is also conceivable to provide the roof sheet with two carrier inserts, which are then preferably spaced apart, so that between the carrier inserts a third closed layer of bitumen or other material suitable for forming roofing membranes is present. The thickness of the middle layer of bituminous material or the like corresponds at least to the thickness of a carrier insert, preferably a multiple of the thickness of a carrier insert. For several Backings can be different, in particular be formed from combinations of nonwovens, fabrics and / or networks.

The above-described roofing membranes with at least one carrier insert of the reinforcements according to the invention are suitable for applications in which high demands are made. These are therefore high-performance roofing membranes with good dimensional stability and good mechanical properties. In addition, such a high performance roof track is easy to produce and almost non-combustible.

Claims (12)

Reinforcing with interconnected, interwoven and / or interwoven fibers of inorganic material, characterized in that the inorganic fibers have a coating of organic material. Reinforcement according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickness of the organic coating is less than the thickness, in particular the diameter, the inorganic fibers and / or the grammage (basis weight) of the organic coating is 2 to 4 times the grammage of the inorganic fibers , Reinforcement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coating is formed as a closed outer sheath of the inorganic fibers, wherein the sheath preferably has the thickness of the coating. Reinforcement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coated inorganic fibers are bonded together in the region of their coating or covering, preferably thermally, such as by welding, sealing and / or gluing. Reinforcement according to claim 4, characterized in that the fibers for forming a nonwoven web are bonded together by thermal bonding, preferably by means of the organic coating or coating. Reinforcement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compound of the coated or coated inorganic fibers is such that in the regions of the compound, the coating or coating of the inorganic fibers is substantially retained. Reinforcing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the organic coating of a thermoplastic plastic, preferably polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene or the like is formed and / or the inorganic fibers of glass fibers, carbon fibers or the like are formed. Reinforcement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grammage of the inorganic fibers, threads or strands 3 to 120 g / m ² , preferably 4 to 60 g / m ² , and / or the grammage of the organic coating or sheath. 5 to 360 g / m ² , preferably 6 to 200 g / m ² corresponds. Use of a reinforcement according to one of claims 1 to 8, for the formation of at least parts of a carrier insert for a roofing membrane. Roofing on the basis of a bituminous material, plastic and / or elastomer having at least one cover layer of the bituminous material, plastic or elastomer and at least one carrier insert, characterized in that the at least one carrier insert at least partially from a reinforcement according to one of claims 1 to 12 is formed. Roofing membrane according to claim 10, characterized in that the carrier insert of the bituminous material, plastic and / or elastomer is preferably completely saturated, wherein the at least one of said materials surrounds the coating formed of organic material of the inorganic fibers. Roofing membrane according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the proportion by weight of the coating of organic material is more than 40% of the weight, in particular the grammage, of the entire carrier insert.