Fabric-Backed Roofing Membrane Composite

Abstract

A membrane composite comprising a membrane panel having opposed first and second planar surfaces and a fabric backing secured to a first planar surface through a UV-cured adhesive disposed on said planar surface of said membrane.

1 . A membrane composite comprising:
 i. a membrane panel having opposed first and second planar surfaces; and   ii. a fabric backing secured to a planar surface through a cured adhesive disposed on said planar surface of said membrane.   
     
     
         2 . The membrane of  claim 1 , where said membrane panel includes a width defined between a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, and where said fabric backing extends across a portion of said width, thereby providing an exposed planar surface of said membrane panel. 
     
     
         3 . The membrane of  claim 1 , where said adhesive extends across the entire width of the membrane panel. 
     
     
         4 . The membrane of  claim 1 , where the adhesive is UV cured. 
     
     
         5 . The membrane of  claim 4 , where the adhesive is an acrylic-based hot-melt adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . The membrane of  claim 5 , where the adhesive is a polyacrylate. 
     
     
         7 . The membrane of  claim 1 , where the fabric backing is a fleece backing. 
     
     
         8 . A method for preparing a membrane composite, said method comprising:
 i. providing a polymeric membrane having opposed planar surfaces;   ii. applying a curable adhesive onto a planar surface of the membrane to form a curable layer;   iii. curing the curable layer to formed a cured layer; and   iv. after said step of curing, applying a fabric to the cured layer.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , where said membrane includes a width defined between a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, and where said step of applying a curable adhesive onto a planar surface of the membrane includes applying the adhesive to only a portion of the planar surface to thereby provide an exposed planar surface of said membrane panel. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , where said step of applying an adhesive includes melt extruding the adhesive onto the planar surface of the membrane. 
     
     
         11 . The membrane of  claim 8 , where said membrane includes a width defined between a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge, and where said step of applying a curable adhesive onto a planar surface of the membrane includes applying the adhesive across the entire width of the membrane. 
     
     
         12 . The membrane of  claim 10 , where said step of curing includes UV curing. 
     
     
         13 . The membrane of  claim 12 , where the adhesive is an acrylic-based hot-melt adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The membrane of  claim 13 , where the adhesive is a polyacrylate. 
     
     
         15 . The membrane of  claim 8 , where the fabric is a fleece backing.