
A502 was introduced by National Coatings Corporation in 2006 after three years of intensive research and successful installation, including both laboratory and actual in-service field testing. This coating was designed with self-priming characteristics that eliminate the need for additional primers or etching rinses while exhibiting a tenacious adhesion for thermoplastic and thermoset single-ply membranes, such as Hypalon, TPO and EPDM. Previously, the only primers used for coating these membranes were solvent borne, which required warning labels, had very high VOC (volatile organic content) and required extreme care when applying to prevent fumes from entering the building. The only other option for coating EPDM was a "prewash" or "rinseable primer" that had a very high, corrosive pH, so high that it would react with human skin oils, causing chemical burns.
The AcryShield A502 has three inherent advantages over the previously used primers:
- It is water borne, so there is no concern about flammable solvents, VOC or fumes entering buildings.
- It replaces both specialty primers for the thermoplastic membranes and the corrosive rinseable primer for EPDM. Thus there is no need for separate primer/basecoats for different types of roofing membranes.
- Its VOC is only 0.5 grams per liter. (According to the International Green Construction Code (IGCC) the mandated maximum allowed is 50 VOC’s grams per liter.)
AcryShield A502 has allowed National Coatings to be the only roof coating manufacturer with industry leading capabilities that successfully adhere directly to aged and failing single-ply membranes with a proven and verifiable 10-year track record. The next time a project calls for coating single-ply roofing membranes, the roofing contractor, consultant or specifier should request the AcryShield A502.