TL-0001 — Chemical Compatibility of PERM-A-BARRIER® Self-Adhered Membranes with Other Materials Technical Letter

DownloadPdf
Add

Frequently during the design of an assembly, the designer will question the chemical compatibility of PERM-A-BARRIER® self-adhered membranes (including PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membrane, PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Flashing, PERM-A-BARRIER® Detail Membrane, PERM-A-BARRIER® NPS and PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30) with other materials.

Generally, there is not a chemical compatibility issue if the material contacts the film (facer) surface of the membrane. If the contact area is the adhesive component of the membrane, this needs to be investigated further. As a rule, the connecting material must be sound, functional and firmly bonded to the substrate. The PERM-A-BARRIER® membrane should overlap onto the existing product a minimum of 6 in. (150 mm). The design of the connection between the two materials will vary depending on the composition of the material. Some of the more common materials are detailed below.

Waterproofing Materials

Cured Neoprene

PERM-A-BARRIER® sheet membranes may be applied directly to clean cured neoprene. Dusty neoprene must be cleaned and primed with BITUTHENE® Primer B2 prior to the attachment of the new membrane.

Uncured Neoprene

Uncured neoprene is not compatible with the adhesive side of the membrane. Therefore, PERM-A-BARRIER® membranes should not be applied directly to uncured neoprene. When the membrane must terminate onto uncured neoprene, an oil resistant barrier layer between the adhesive and the uncured neoprene is required. This barrier layer should be a 0.004 in. to 0.006 in. (0.1 mm to 0.15 mm) aluminum or polyester sheet, fully adhered to the uncured neoprene. Priming of the aluminum or polyester is not necessary. A two part polyurethane may also be utilized as a barrier, if fully cured.

Unplasticized Butyl Sheet

PERM-A-BARRIER® membranes can be applied directly to Unplasticized Butyl sheet using the same guidelines as described for cured neoprene.

Chlorinated Polyethylene (CPE)

PERM-A-BARRIER® membranes can be applied directly to chlorinated polyethylene. Follow the guidelines for cured neoprene.

Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)

Plasticized (flexible) PVC is not compatible with the adhesive side of the PERM-A-BARRIER® membrane. Therefore, the membrane should not be applied directly to PVC sheet waterproofing without the use of a barrier layer. Refer to uncured neoprene section for application guidelines. PERM-A-BARRIER® membranes can be applied to PVC pipe or other rigid PVC.

Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM)

EPDM is not compatible with the adhesive side of the PERM-A-BARRIER® membranes. Therefore, these membranes should not be applied directly to EPDM. Refer to uncured neoprene section for application guidelines.

Asphalt or Coal Tar Residue

Asphalt or coal tar must be fully cured, sound, and firmly bonded to the substrate. All surfaces must be primed with BITUTHENE® Primer B2 prior to installation of the PERM-A-BARRIER® membranes.

Polyurethane Based Fluid Applied Waterproofing

PERM-A-BARRIER® membranes will adhere to clean, dry, fully cured polyurethane waterproofing. Priming of the polyurethane surface with BITUTHENE® Primer B2 is necessary. Polyurethanes modified with asphalt or coal tar do not affect compatibility with PERM-A-BARRIER® membranes.

Asphaltic Damp-proofing

PERM-A-BARRIER® membranes may be installed directly over cleaned, asphaltic damp-proofing. Priming of the Damp-proofing with BITUTHENE® Primer B2 is necessary. Allow primer to dry fully prior to applying membrane and follow all other application instructions.

Wood Preservatives and Treatments

Avoid contact with wood treated with creosote, penta-chlorophenol or linseed oil. 

Sealant and Caulking Materials

For PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Membrane, PERM-A-BARRIER® Wall Flashing, PERM-A-BARRIER® Detail Membrane (see subsequent section for PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30 and PERM-A-BARRIER® NPS).

Adhesion and or compatibility with individual caulks and sealants may vary. It is recommended that products be pre-tested & compatibility with Perm-A-Barrier should be verified prior to full application.

Polyurethane

Two part polyurethanes are acceptable for use under PERM-A-BARRIER® membranes, provided they are fully cured (i.e. solvent has evaporated completely). Single part urethanes are generally moisture cured and, if covered by the membrane, will not cure. One part and two part poly-urethanes may be used on top (facer) of the membrane.

Silicone

Both acetoxy and neutral cure silicones are compatible with the adhesive side and the facer of PERM-A-BARRIER® NPS, Aluminum Wall Membrane and Wall Membrane (excluding PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30) membranes. Most silicone sealants have good adhesion to the film, but PERM-A-BARRIER® membranes may only have low to moderate adhesion to silicone sealants.

Acrylic Latex

Acrylic based sealants are acceptable for use under PERM-A-BARRIER® membranes. PERM-A-BARRIER® membranes have moderate adhesion to these sealants. Acrylic Latex sealants, however, are generally slow to cure and may have poor adhesion to the film of PERM-A-BARRIER® membranes.

Butyl

Most Butyl sealants may be acceptable for use under the membrane, provided they are fully cured (i.e. solvent has evaporated completely). Butyl sealants may be used on facer of the membrane. It is recommended to check the compatibility before use. 

STPE Sealants

Check compatibility if not using PERM-A-BARRIER® Universal Flashing & Sealants as prescribed by GCP (excluding PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30). 

Sealant and Caulking Materials

For PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30 and PERM-A-BARRIER® NPS

Adhesion and or compatibility with individual caulks and sealants may vary. It is recommended that products be pre-tested & compatibility with PERM-A-BARRIER® should be verified prior to full application.

Polyurethane

Two part polyurethanes are acceptable for use under PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30, provided they are fully cured (i.e. solvent has evaporated completely). Single part urethanes are generally moisture cured and, if covered by the membrane, will not cure. One part and two part polyurethanes may be used on facer of the membrane. Most polyurethanes may only have moderate adhesion to the film of PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30.

Silicone

Most neutral cure silicones are compatible with the adhesive side and the film of PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30. Most silicone sealants may only have low to moderate adhesion to the facer film, and the adhesive side of PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30. Acetoxy based silicone sealants are not compatible. 

Acrylic Latex

Acrylic based sealants are acceptable for use under PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30. PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30 has moderate adhesion to these sealants. Acrylic Latex sealants, however, are generally slow to cure and may have poor adhesion to the film of PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30.

Butyl

Butyl sealants are acceptable for use under the PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30, provided they are fully cured (i.e. solvent has evaporated completely). Butyl sealants may be used on facer of the Membrane but may only have moderate adhesion to the film of PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30.

STPE Sealants

Check compatibility if not using PERM-A-BARRIER® Universal Flashing & Sealants with PERM-A-BARRIER® NPS as prescribed by GCP. STPE sealants are not compatible with PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30.

Note: BITUTHENE® Liquid Membrane and BITUTHENE® Mastic have excellent adhesion to the film of the PERM-A-BARRIER® VPS 30 and are used for end of day terminations and repairs. Please refer to our standard details for specific detailing requirements.

 

ca.gcpat.com | North America customer service: 1-877-4AD-MIX (1-877-423-6491)

We hope the information here will be helpful. It is based on data and knowledge considered to be true and accurate and is offered for consideration, investigation and verification by the user, but we do not warrant the results to be obtained. Please read all statements, recommendations and suggestions in conjunction with our conditions of sale, which apply to all goods supplied by us. No statement, recommendation or suggestion is intended for any use that would infringe any patent, copyright or other third-party right.

PERM-A-BARRIER, BITUTHENE, and RIPCORD are trademarks, which may be registered in the United States and/or other countries, of GCP Applied Technologies, Inc. This trademark list has been compiled using available published information as of the publication date and may not accurately reflect current trademark ownership or status.

© Copyright 2018 GCP Applied Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved.

GCP Applied Technologies Inc., 62 Whittemore Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02140, USA

GCP Canada, Inc., 294 Clements Road, West, Ajax, Ontario, Canada L1S 3C6


GCP Applied Technologies Inc., 2325 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 475, Alpharetta, GA 30009, USA
GCP Canada, Inc., 294 Clements Road, West, Ajax, Ontario, Canada L1S 3C6.
This document is only current as of the last updated date stated below and is valid only for use in the Canada. It is important that you always refer to the currently available information at the URL below to provide the most current product information at the time of use. Additional literature such as Contractor Manuals, Technical Bulletins, Detail Drawings and detailing recommendations and other relevant documents are also available on www.gcpat.com. Information found on other websites must not be relied upon, as they may not be up-to-date or applicable to the conditions in your location and we do not accept any responsibility for their content. If there are any conflicts or if you need more information, please contact GCP Customer Service.

Last Updated: 2024-06-21

https://ca.gcpat.com/en/solutions/products/perm-a-barrier-air-barrier-system/tl-0001-chemical-compatibility-perm-a-barrier