EIA Ethylene Interpolymer Alloy Geomembrane Material Specification Cooley

EIA GEOMEMBRANES

Introduction

EIA (Ethylene Interpolymer Alloy) is more commonly known by trademarked names such as Coolgard, XR-5, and UltraTech. It is an alloy of PVC and KEE (Ketone Ethylene Ester, also known as Elvaloy) which is essentially a polymeric non-liquid plasticizer. Therefore it is much more tightly bound and will not volatilize out of the PVC. EIA geomembranes are more resistant to hydrocarbons than straight PVC, and can therefore be left exposed. Typically they are reinforced.

The original NSF 54 (1993) generic specifications for reinforced EIA are shown in Table 1. However, NSF 54 has since been withdrawn. Consequently, Table 2 shows Cooley Engineered Geomembrane's present (2001) specifications for its Coolgard EIA geomembrane.

Seams - The old NSF 54 specifications (now withdrawn) are shown in Table 3, and the Cooley specifications are shown in Table 4. Note that the Cooley specification uses ASTM D751 for shear testing not the usual D6392 for unreinforced material. The ASTM D751 test is a grab-type test, therefore requiring a much longer seam sample.

Property	Test Method	Value
Gauge, nominal (mil)	-	45-36
Plies reinforcing (6.5 oz) 10 x 11 polyester blend scrim 2520d x 2000d double rip stop	-	1-1
Grab Tensile (min.) (lb)	ASTM D751 Method A	500 x 450
Strip Tensile (min.) (lb)	ASTM D1117 Procedure B	400 x 300
Low Temperature Flexibility 0.125 in. mandrel (°F)	ASTM D2136 4 hrs.	30
Puncture Resistance (min.) (lb)	ASTM D751 1" Ball	600
Tongue Tear (min.) (lb)	ASTM D751 Procedure B	135 x 135
Trapezoid Tear (min.) (lb)	ASTM D1117 Section 14	75 x 75
Hydrostatic Resistance (min.) (psi)	ASTM D751 Method A Procedure 1	600
Ply Adhesion (min.) ( lb/in.)	ASTM D751	10
Dimensional Stability (max.) (%)	ASTM D1204 1 hr@ 212°F	2

TYPICAL FACTORY SEAM PROPERTIES

Property	Test Method	Value
Bonded Seam Strength (min.) (lb)	ASTM D751	270
Peel Adhesion (min.) (lb)	ASTM D413	10 or FTB