Permeable Self-Adhesive Membrane for Building Construction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing membrane sheeting methods for building construction, such as mechanical fasteners and non-permeable adhesives, lead to discontinuous adhesion, air or water leakage, and reduced integrity due to punctures and limited permeability, especially under wind pressure and varying humidity conditions.
Innovation Solution
A self-adhesive membrane sheet with a continuous layer of air and water vapour permeable pressure-sensitive adhesive provides strong, consistent adhesion across the membrane's surface, eliminating the need for mechanical fixings and ensuring continuous permeability, even in wet conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If mechanical fasteners (nails or screws) are used to attach membrane sheeting, then the membrane can be securely attached to the structure, but the membrane integrity is reduced due to punctures and potential tearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical fastening systems (nails, screws) with a chemical bonding system using a continuous layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. This substitution eliminates punctures and mechanical damage to the membrane while providing secure attachment to the substrate through adhesive bonding alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a porous or microporous adhesive layer that maintains the permeability characteristics of the membrane. The adhesive layer contains interconnected voids or channels that allow water vapour and air to pass through while still providing continuous bonding between the membrane and substrate.
2Strength
If non-permeable adhesive is used to attach membrane sheeting, then strong adhesion is achieved, but water vapour and air permeability are blocked at adhesive locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a porous or microporous adhesive layer that contains interconnected voids or channels allowing water vapour and air to pass through. This maintains the permeability characteristics of the membrane while providing continuous adhesion, eliminating the blocking effect of non-permeable adhesives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite adhesive system combining binding agents (such as polymeric adhesives) with porous fillers or structures. This composite structure provides both adhesive strength and permeability, allowing the adhesive to bond the membrane to the substrate while maintaining vapour and air transmission.
3Ease of manufacture
If discontinuous adhesive layer is used, then the membrane can be attached to substrates, but air or water can pass along underneath the membrane reducing ventilation control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a continuous layer of adhesive that extends across the entire back surface of the membrane, providing uninterrupted bonding to the substrate. This continuous adhesive layer eliminates gaps or discontinuities that would allow air or water to pass underneath, ensuring complete control over ventilation and moisture movement through the membrane system.
4Strength
If primer is used to attach adhesive to substrates, then secure attachment is achieved, but the process complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a pressure-sensitive adhesive formulation that is self-priming, meaning it can directly bond to various substrates without requiring a separate primer application. The adhesive contains components that provide both initial tack and long-term bonding strength, eliminating the need for additional priming steps and simplifying the installation process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The continuous adhesive layer enhances the membrane's integrity and permeability, allowing for effective ventilation and moisture dissipation, reducing the risk of leakage and tearing, while maintaining high water vapour and air permeability, suitable for demanding construction applications without the need for primers.
Implementation Method 1
small pores which allow diffusion of water molecules, driven by vapour pressure differential, from one side of the membrane sheet to the other
Implementation Method 2
a continuous layer of an air and water vapour permeable pressure sensitive adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A self-adhesive permeable membrane sheet (1), for use in a building structure, includes a continuous layer of a permeable pressure sensitive adhesive (8) attached to one surface of a permeable membrane sheet (2,4,6). Methods for using the permeable membrane sheet (1) in construction are also provided.