U.S. patent application number 16/552487 was filed with the patent office on 2020-04-16 for roofing granules with high solar reflectance, roofing products with high solar reflectance, and processes for preparing same.
The applicant listed for this patent is CertainTeed Corporation. Invention is credited to Husnu M. Kalkanoglu, Ming Liang Shiao.
Application Number | 20200115901 16/552487 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44560267 |
Filed Date | 2020-04-16 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200115901 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shiao; Ming Liang ; et
al. |
April 16, 2020 |
Roofing granules with high solar reflectance, roofing products with
high solar reflectance, and processes for preparing same
Abstract
A solar heat-reflective roofing product includes a base sheet,
and solar heat-reflective roofing granules on top of the base
sheet. The granules have a base particle with a flake-like geometry
covered by a uniform coating layer. The coating layer has a
thickness of at least one mil and includes a coating binder and at
least one solar heat-reflective pigment. The solar heat-reflective
pigment provides a solar heat reflectance of greater than 70
percent to the granules and the roofing product. Roofing products
including roofing shingles and roofing membranes are described.
Inventors: |
Shiao; Ming Liang;
(Collegeville, PA) ; Kalkanoglu; Husnu M.;
(Swarthmore, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CertainTeed Corporation |
Malvern |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
44560267 |
Appl. No.: |
16/552487 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15337928 |
Oct 28, 2016 |
10392806 |
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16552487 |
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13043036 |
Mar 8, 2011 |
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15337928 |
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61313911 |
Mar 15, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 1/22 20130101; C04B
35/62807 20130101; C04B 33/14 20130101; C04B 20/1051 20130101; Y02B
80/34 20130101; C04B 2235/349 20130101; C04B 2111/00586 20130101;
Y02B 80/00 20130101; C04B 2235/3232 20130101; C04B 2235/9661
20130101; Y02A 30/254 20180101; C04B 2235/5292 20130101; C04B
20/107 20130101; Y10T 428/2438 20150115; Y10T 428/2991 20150115;
C04B 20/1033 20130101; C04B 2235/5296 20130101; E04D 7/005
20130101; Y10T 428/2993 20150115; C04B 2235/5427 20130101; D06N
5/003 20130101; E04D 2001/005 20130101; C04B 20/1085 20130101; C04B
35/62695 20130101; C04B 2235/5463 20130101; Y02A 30/255 20180101;
C04B 35/62884 20130101; E04B 1/78 20130101; C04B 20/1085 20130101;
C04B 14/108 20130101; C04B 20/1059 20130101; C04B 20/1033 20130101;
C04B 14/20 20130101; C04B 20/1059 20130101; C04B 20/1051 20130101;
C04B 14/34 20130101; C04B 20/1059 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E04D 1/22 20060101
E04D001/22; E04B 1/78 20060101 E04B001/78; E04D 7/00 20060101
E04D007/00; C04B 35/628 20060101 C04B035/628; C04B 33/14 20060101
C04B033/14; D06N 5/00 20060101 D06N005/00; C04B 35/626 20060101
C04B035/626; C04B 20/10 20060101 C04B020/10 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. Solar heat-reflective roofing granules comprising: a base
particle having a flake-like geometry, an average particle size
from #5 US mesh to #50 US mesh, and UV opacity greater than 70
percent; a uniform coating layer on the base particle, the coating
layer having a thickness of at least one mil, the coating layer
comprising a coating binder and at least one solar heat reflective
pigment; wherein the roofing granules have an aspect ratio of at
least 5 and a solar heat reflectance of at least 70 percent.
22. Solar heat-reflective roofing granules according to claim 21,
wherein the roofing granules have an aspect ratio of at least
7.
23. Solar heat-reflective roofing granules according to claim 21,
the base particles having UV opacity greater than 80 percent.
24. Solar heat-reflective roofing granules according to claim 21,
wherein the coating layer has a thickness of at least 2 mils.
25. Solar heat-reflective roofing granules according to claim 21,
wherein the base particles are selected from the group consisting
of naturally occurring rocks.
26. Solar heat-reflective roofing granules according to claim 12,
wherein the coating binder is selected from the group consisting of
metal silicates, metal phosphates, silica coating binders, and
sol-gel coating binders.
27. Solar heat-reflective roofing granules according to claim 21,
wherein the coating binder is an organic binder.
28. Solar heat-reflective roofing granules according to claim 21,
wherein the at least one solar heat-reflective pigment is selected
from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate,
zinc oxide, lithopone, zinc sulphide, white lead, glass
microspheres, glass microbubbles, microvoid pigments, and synthetic
polymeric opacifiers.
29. Solar heat-reflective roofing granules according to claim 21,
which have (a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2).sup.1/2 less than 6.
30. Solar heat-reflective roofing granules according to claim 21,
wherein the coating weight per unit surface area varies by no more
than 10 percent.
31. Solar heat-reflective roofing granules according to claim 21,
wherein the coating completely covers the base particles.
32. A solar heat-reflective roofing product comprising: a base
sheet, and solar heat-reflective roofing granules laying flat on
top of the base sheet, the granules comprising: a base particle
having a flake-like geometry, an average particle size from #5 US
mesh to #50 US mesh, and UV opacity greater than 70 percent, a
coating layer on the base particle, the coating layer having a
thickness of at least one mil, the coating layer comprising a
coating binder and at least one solar heat-reflective pigment,
wherein the granules have an aspect ratio of at least 5 and a solar
reflectance of at least 70 percent.
33. A solar heat-reflective roofing product according to claim 32,
wherein the granules cover at least 90 percent of the surface area
of the base sheet.
34. A solar heat-reflective roofing product according to claim 32,
wherein the roofing granules have an aspect ratio of at least
7.
35. A solar heat-reflective roofing product according to claim 32,
the base particles having UV opacity greater than 90 percent.
36. A solar heat-reflective roofing product according to claim 32,
wherein the coating layer has a thickness of at least 2 mils.
37. A solar heat-reflective roofing product according to claim 32,
having a solar reflectance of greater than 70%.
38. A solar heat-reflective roofing product according to claim 32,
further comprising a plurality of second granules disposed on the
base sheet in interstices between the solar heat-reflective roofing
granules.
39. A process for preparing solar heat reflective roofing granules,
the process comprising: providing base particles having a
flake-like geometry, and an average particle size from #5 US mesh
to #50 US mesh; providing a coating composition including a coating
binder and at least one solar heat-reflective pigment; coating the
base particles with the coating composition to provide a uniform
coating layer on the base particles, the solar heat-reflective
pigment providing a solar heat reflectance of greater than 70
percent to the granules.
40. A process for preparing solar heat reflective roofing products,
the process comprising: providing base particles having a
flake-like geometry, and an average particle size from #5 US mesh
to #50 US mesh; providing a coating composition including a coating
binder and at least one solar heat-reflective pigment; coating the
base particles with the coating composition to provide a uniform
coating layer on the base particles, the solar heat-reflective
pigment providing a solar heat reflectance of greater than 70
percent to the granules, thus providing solar heat-reflective
roofing granules; providing a bituminous base sheet having an upper
surface; and applying the solar heat-reflective roofing granules to
the upper surface of the base sheet, the solar heat-reflective
roofing granules being applied to at least 85 percent of the upper
surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/043,036 filed Mar. 8, 2011, which claimed
the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/313,911
filed Mar. 15, 2010, each incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present application relates to roofing granules and
roofing products including roofing products, such as roofing
shingles and roofing membranes.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
[0003] Asphalt shingles or bitumen roofing membranes are
conventionally used in the United States and Canada as roofing and
siding materials. Roofing granules are typically distributed over
the upper or outer face of such shingles. The roofing granules, in
general are formed from mineral materials, and serve to provide the
shingle with durability. They protect the asphalt from the effects
of the solar radiation (in particular from the degradative effects
of ultraviolet rays) and of the environment (wind, precipitation,
pollution, and the like), and contribute to better reflection of
incident radiation. The granules moreover are typically colored,
naturally or artificially by way of the application of pigments, to
meet the aesthetic requirements of the user.
[0004] Roofing granules typically comprise crushed and screened
mineral materials, which are subsequently coated with a binder
containing one or more coloring pigments, such as suitable metal
oxides. The binder can be a soluble alkaline silicate that is
subsequently insolubilized by heat or by chemical reaction, such as
by reaction between an acidic material and the alkaline silicate,
resulting in an insoluble colored coating on the mineral particles.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,898,345 to Deming discloses coating a
granular material with a coating composition including a sodium
silicate, a coloring pigment, and a colloidal clay, and heating
below the fusing temperature of sodium silicate, and subsequently
treating with a solution, such as a solution of calcium or
magnesium chloride, or aluminum sulphate, that will react with the
sodium silicate to form an insoluble compound. Similarly, U.S. Pat.
No. 2,378,927 to Jewett discloses a coating composition for roofing
granules consisting of sodium silicate, and clay or another
aluminum-bearing compound such as sodium aluminate, or cryolite or
other insoluble fluorides such as sodium silicofluoride, and a
color pigment. The coating is then heat cured at a temperature
above the dehydration temperature of the coating materials, but
below the fusion temperature at which the combination of materials
fuses, thus producing a non-porous, insoluble weather-resistant
cement. Roofing granules are typically produced using inert mineral
particles with metal-silicate binders and clays as a latent heat
reactant at an elevated temperature, for example, such as those
described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,981,636. The granules are employed to
provide a protective layer on asphaltic roofing materials such as
shingles, and to add aesthetic values to a roof.
[0005] Pigments for roofing granules have usually been selected to
provide shingles or membranes having an attractive appearance, with
little thought to the thermal stresses encountered on shingled
roofs. However, depending on location and climate, shingled roofs
can experience very challenging environmental conditions, which
tend to reduce the effective service life of such roofs. One
significant environmental stress is the elevated temperature
experienced by roofing shingles under sunny, summer conditions,
especially roofing shingles coated with dark colored roofing
granules. Although such roofs can be coated with solar reflective
paint or coating material, such as a composition containing a
significant amount of titanium dioxide pigment, in order to reduce
such thermal stresses, this utilitarian approach will often prove
to be aesthetically undesirable, especially for residential
roofs.
[0006] Mineral surfaced asphalt shingles, such as those described
in ASTM D225 or D3462, are generally used in steep-sloped roofs to
provide water-shedding function while adding aesthetically pleasing
appearance to the roofs. The asphalt shingles are generally
constructed from asphalt-saturated roofing felts and surfaced by
pigmented color granules, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,717,614. Asphalt shingles coated with conventional roofing
granules are known to have low solar heat reflectance, and hence
will absorb solar heat especially through the near infrared range
(700 nm-2500 nm) of the solar spectrum. This phenomenon is
increased as the granules covering the surface become dark in
color. For example, while white-colored asphalt shingles can have
solar reflectance in the range of 25-35%, dark-colored asphalt
shingles can only have solar reflectance of 5-15%. Furthermore,
except in the white or very light colors, there is typically only a
very small amount of pigment in the conventional granule's color
coating that reflects solar radiation well. As a result, it is
common to measure temperatures as high as 77 degrees C. on the
surface of black roofing shingles on a sunny day with 21 degrees C.
ambient temperature. Absorption of solar heat may result in
elevated temperatures at the shingle's surroundings, which can
contribute to the so-called heat-island effects and increase the
cooling load to its surroundings. It is therefore advantageous to
have roofing shingles or membranes that have high solar
reflectivity in order to reduce the solar heat absorption. The
surface reflectivity of an asphalt shingle or roofing membrane
largely depends on the solar reflectance of the granules that are
used to cover the bitumen.
[0007] In recent years, the state of California has implemented a
building code requiring that all commercial roofing materials in
low-slope applications need to exceed a minimum of 70% solar
reflectance in order to qualify for their new energy budget code.
To achieve such high level of solar reflectance, it has been
proposed to coat the roof with a reflective coating over granulated
roofing products, since the granules with current commercially
available coloring technology are not capable of achieving such
high levels of solar reflectance. Thus, white pigment containing
latex coatings have been proposed and evaluated by various
manufacturers. However, polymeric coatings applied have only a
limited amount of service life and will require re-coat after
certain years of service Also, the cost of adding such a coating on
roof coverings can be relatively high.
[0008] Also, commercially available white single ply roofing
membranes from thermoplastic elastomers, PVC, or EPDM, etc., have
been developed to achieve the required solar reflectance.
Performance Roof Systems (Kansas City, Mo.) has also developed
asphalt-based roofing membrane having a white acrylic
pre-impregnated mat on the top surface. Further, U.S. Pat. No.
6,872,240 describes a heat reflective coated structural article for
roofing application comprising a heat reflective component and a
coated structural article which comprises a substrate having an
ionic charge coated with a coating having essentially the same
ionic charge such that the coating does not bleed through the
substrate.
[0009] Further, in order to qualify as Energy Star.RTM. roofing
material, a roofing membrane needs to exceed 65% solar reflectance.
Typically, a white mineral-surfaced, asphalt-based roofing membrane
has only 30-35% solar reflectance.
[0010] In order to reduce the solar heat absorption, one may use
light colored roofing granules which are inherently more reflective
towards the solar radiation. White pigment containing latex
coatings have been proposed and evaluated by various manufacturers.
However, consumers and homeowners often prefer darker or earth tone
colors for their roof. In recent years, there have been
commercially available roofing granules that feature a reflective
base coat (i.e., a white coat) and a partially coated top color
coat allowing the reflective base coat to be partially revealed to
increase solar reflectance. Unfortunately, these granules have a
"washed-out" color appearance due to the partially revealed white
base coat.
[0011] Other manufactures have also proposed the use of
exterior-grade coatings that were colored by infrared-reflective
pigments for deep-tone colors and sprayed onto the roof in the
field. U.S. Pat. No. 7,238,408 discloses an asphalt-based roofing
material comprising mat saturated with an asphalt coating and a top
coating having a top surface layer that has a solar reflectance of
at least 70%. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0152747
A1 discloses the use of granules with solar reflectance greater
than 55% and hardness greater than 4 on the Moh's scale to enhance
the solar reflectivity of asphalt based roofing products. However,
there is no control of color blends and the novel granules are
typically available only in white or buff colors. Furthermore,
these novel granules tend to have high UV transmittance and hence
are not suitable for roofing applications in bitumen based
products. U.S. Pat. No. 7,455,899 discloses a non-white
construction surface comprising a first reflective coating and a
second reflective coating with total direct solar reflectance of at
least 20%.
[0012] Also, there have been attempts in using special
near-infrared reflective pigments in earth-tone colors to color
roofing granules for increased solar reflectance. However, the
addition of kaolin clays, which are used to make the metal-silicate
binder durable through heat curing, inevitably reduce the color
strength or the color intensity of the pigment.
[0013] Colored roofing granules can also be prepared using a metal
silicate binder without adding clay and curing the binder at
temperatures greater than glass sintering temperature, or through a
"pickling" process by applying acid. However, these alternatives
require either very high temperatures, or the use of corrosive
chemicals, and in many cases could result in loss of color due to
pigment degradation by the acid.
[0014] In the alternative, a non-silicate binder, such as a
synthetic polymeric binder, can be used to coat the inert mineral
materials in order to produce roofing granules with dark colors and
high solar reflectance. However, the long-term durability and cost
for polymeric coatings are not as advantageous as the silicate
binders.
[0015] Another approach is provided by solar control films that
contain either thin layer of metal/metal oxides or dielectric
layers through vacuum deposition, and which have been commercially
available for use in architectural glasses.
[0016] There is a continuing need for roofing materials, and
especially asphalt shingles, that have improved resistance to
thermal stresses while providing an attractive appearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The present invention provides asphalt-based roofing
membranes with solar reflectance greater than 70 percent. The
present invention also provides roofing granules having a solar
heat reflectance of at least 70 percent. Roofing granules according
to the present invention can be used in conventional roofing
manufacturing processes to produce roofing membranes with solar
heat reflectance of at least 70 percent.
[0018] Thus, in one aspect the present invention provides solar
heat-reflective roofing granules comprising a base particle having
a flake-like geometry, and an average particle size from #5 US mesh
to #50 US mesh. The granules also include at least one uniform
coating layer on the base particle, with the at least one coating
layer having a thickness of at least one mil. The coating layer
includes a coating binder and at least one solar heat-reflective
pigment. The solar heat-reflective pigment provides a solar heat
reflectance of greater than 70 percent to the granules. Preferably,
the roofing granules have an average aspect ratio of at least 3,
more preferably at least 5, and still more preferably, at least 7.
In one aspect, it is preferred that the coating layer have a
thickness of at least 2 mils. Preferably, the base particles have
UV opacity greater than 70 percent, more preferably greater than 80
percent, and still more preferably greater than 90 percent.
Preferably, the base particles are selected from the group
consisting of crushed slate, slate granules, shale granules, mica
granules, metal flakes, and flake-like synthetic particles.
Preferably, the coating binder is selected from the group
consisting of metal silicates, fluoropolymers, metal phosphates,
silica coating binders, sol-gel coating binders, polysiloxanes,
silicones, polyurethanes, and polyacrylates. Preferably, the at
least one solar heat-reflective pigment is selected from the group
consisting of titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, zinc oxide,
lithopone, zinc sulphide, white lead, glass microspheres, glass
microbubbles, microvoid pigments, and synthetic polymeric
opacifiers. In one presently preferred embodiment, the solar
heat-reflective roofing granules are white in color, and preferably
have (a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2).sup.1/2 less than 6.
[0019] In another aspect, the present invention provides solar
heat-reflective roofing products including roofing shingles and
roofing membranes comprising a base sheet, and solar
heat-reflective roofing granules on top of the base sheet. The
granules include a base particle having a flake-like geometry, and
an average particle size from #5 US mesh to #50 US mesh, as well as
a uniform coating layer on the base particle. The coating layer
preferably has a thickness of at least one mil. Preferably, the
coating layer includes a coating binder and at least one solar
heat-reflective pigment. The solar heat-reflective pigment provides
a solar heat reflectance of greater than 70 percent to the
granules. Preferably, the granules cover at least 85 percent, more
preferably 90 percent, and still more preferably, at least 95
percent, of the surface area of the base sheet. Preferably, the
roofing granules particles have an average aspect ratio of at least
3. More preferably, the roofing granules have an average aspect
ratio of at least 5. Still more preferably, the roofing granules
have an average aspect ratio of at least 7. In one aspect, it is
preferred that the coating layer have a thickness of at least 2
mils. Preferably, the base particles are selected from the group
consisting of crushed slate, slate granules, shale granules, mica
granules, metal flakes, and flake-like synthetic particles.
Preferably, the coating binder is selected from the group
consisting of metal silicates, fluoropolymers, metal phosphates,
silica coating binders, sol-gel coating binders, polysiloxanes,
silicones, polyurethanes, and polyacrylates. Preferably, the at
least one solar heat-reflective pigment is selected from the group
consisting of titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, zinc oxide,
lithopone, zinc sulphide, white lead, glass microspheres, glass
microbubbles, microvoid pigments, and synthetic polymeric
opacifiers.
[0020] In another embodiment, the present invention provides solar
heat-reflective roofing products such as roofing shingles and
roofing membranes in which the solar heat-reflective roofing
granules comprising primary roofing granules, and the roofing
product also includes secondary roofing granules interspersed among
the primary roofing granules. Preferably, the secondary roofing
granules include at least one algaecide to provide algae resistance
to the shingle or membrane.
[0021] In another aspect, the present invention provides a process
for preparing solar heat reflective roofing granules. The process
comprises providing base particles having a flake-like geometry,
and an average particle size from #5 US mesh to #50 US mesh;
providing a coating composition including a coating binder and at
least one solar heat-reflective pigment; and coating the base
particles with the coating composition to provide a uniform coating
layer on the base particles, the solar heat-reflective pigment
providing a solar heat reflectance of greater than 70 percent to
the granules.
[0022] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a
process for preparing solar heat reflective roofing products such
as roofing shingles and roofing membranes. The process comprises
providing base particles having a flake-like geometry, and an
average particle size from #5 US mesh to #50 US mesh, providing a
coating composition including a coating binder and at least one
solar heat-reflective pigment; coating the base particles with the
coating composition to provide a uniform coating layer on the base
particles, the solar heat-reflective pigment providing a solar heat
reflectance of greater than 70 percent to the granules, thus
providing solar heat-reflective roofing granules. The process
further comprises providing a bituminous base sheet having an upper
surface; and applying the solar heat-reflective roofing granules to
the upper surface of the base sheet, the solar heat heat-reflective
roofing granules being applied to at least 85 percent of the upper
surface. Preferably, the solar heat-reflective roofing granules are
applied to at least 90 percent of the upper surface. More
preferably, the solar heat-reflective roofing granules are applied
to at least 95 percent of the upper surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a
roofing granule according to the present invention
[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a
roofing product according to a first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a
roofing product according to a second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a photograph of a portion of the surface of a
roofing product according to one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a composite photograph showing a slate base
particle for use in making roofing granules according to the
present invention in a side view and in a plan view.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a composite photograph showing a roofing granule
according to the present invention in a side view and in a plan
view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The present invention provides roofing granules with solar
heat reflectance greater than 70 percent and high surface area
coverage. The roofing granules are prepared by encapsulating base
particles that have a preferred average particle shape and size for
high coverage with a white, highly solar heat reflective coating
suitable for roofing applications.
[0030] As used in the present specification and claims, the "aspect
ratio" or "first aspect ratio" of a particle means the ratio of the
longest dimension of the particle to the shortest dimension of the
particle in a plane perpendicular to the longest dimension of the
particle. As used in the present specification and claims, the
"second aspect ratio" is to be determined in the plane of the
longest dimension of the particle, and including the next longest
dimension of the particle. In that plane, the second aspect ratio
is the ratio of the longest dimension of the particle in that plane
to the dimension of the particle in that plane and perpendicular to
the longest dimension of the particle in that plane.
[0031] An example of the determination of aspect ratios for a
particle can be shown by reference to the micrograph of FIG. 6, in
which the length "L," the width "W," and the thickness "T," of a
representative solar heat-reflective particles according to the
present invention are labeled on the micrograph. The first aspect
ratio for this particle is calculated as the ratio of the length
"L" to the thickness "T," and the second aspect ratio is calculated
as the ratio of the length "L" to the width "W."
[0032] As used in the present specification and claims, "solar
reflective," and "solar heat-reflective" refer to reflectance in
the total solar radiation spectrum of 300 to 2500 nm. "Near
infrared reflective" or "near IR-reflective refers to reflectance
in the near infrared range (700 to 2500 nm) of the electromagnetic
spectrum, and "high solar reflectance" means having an average
reflectance of at least about 70 percent over the near infrared
range (700 to 2500 nm) of the electromagnetic spectrum.
[0033] As used in the present specification and claims, "solar heat
reflective particle" means a particulate material having a solar
reflectance of at least 60 percent, and preferably at least about
70 percent.
[0034] As used in the present specification and claims, "solar
reflective functional pigment" denotes a pigment selected from the
group consisting of light-interference platelet pigments including
mica, light-interference platelet pigments including metal oxide,
mirrorized silica pigments based upon metal-doped silica, metal
flake pigments, metal oxide coated flake pigments, silica
encapsulated metal flake pigments, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide,
white pigments, and alumina. As used in the present specification
and claims, "granule coloring pigment" denotes a conventional metal
oxide-type pigment employed to color roofing granules.
[0035] As used in the present specification and claims, "granule
coloring pigment" denotes a conventional metal oxide-type pigment
employed to color roofing granules.
[0036] As used in the present specification and claims, the
strength in color space E* is defined as
E*=(L*.sup.2+a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2).sup.1/2, where L*, a*, and b* are
the color measurements for a given sample using the 1976 CIE L*a*b*
color space. The total color difference .DELTA.E* is defined as
.DELTA.E*=(.DELTA.L*.sup.2+.DELTA.a*.sup.2+.DELTA.b*.sup.2).sup.1/2
where .DELTA.L*, .DELTA.a*, and .DELTA.b* are respectively the
differences in L*, a* and b* for two different color
measurements.
[0037] As used in the present specification and claims, "white"
means that (a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2).sup.1/2 is less than 6 and
L*>80.
[0038] As used in the present specification and claims "mesh size"
means ASTM U.S. Standard mesh size, unless otherwise indicated.
[0039] Preferably, the present invention provides highly
reflective, solid, durable, and crush-resistant granules suitable
for roofing applications with granule sizes ranging from about #5
to #50 U.S. mesh. Preferably, the solar reflective roofing granules
according to the present invention have a solar reflectance of at
least about 70 percent.
[0040] Roofing granules according to the present invention are
preferably made according to the process of the present invention
by applying a solar heat reflective coating material to base
particles. The base particles used in the process of the present
invention are preferably particles having a flat or plate-like
geometry. Preferably, the base particles are chemically inert and
are at least 90 percent UV opaque. The base particles themselves
preferably have an average particle size of from about #8 mesh to
#50 US mesh. Base particles having a size distribution according
the so-called #11 grading or #22 grading can be used in preparing
the roofing granules of the present invention. Preferably, the base
particles employed in the process of the present invention are flat
or flake-like mineral particles. Examples of the suitable base
particles include crushed slate, slate granules, shale granules,
granule chips, mica granules, metal flakes, and synthetic particles
with a flake-like geometry. Alternatively, the base particles can
be formed from a suitable material by an extrusion, casting or like
process, to give base particle having the desired average size and
aspect ratio. Examples of processes for providing base particles
having a predetermined desired shape are given by U.S. Pat. No.
7,811,630 incorporated herein by reference.
[0041] The size and size distribution of the base particles are
preferably selected to achieve high surface coverage when the
roofing granules are applied to the surface to be protected, such
as a bituminous base layer of a roofing shingle.
[0042] The high solar heat reflectance of the roofing products of
the present invention is achieved by the selection of base
particles having a suitable geometry and particle size
distribution, and by the application of a suitable solar heat
reflective coating material to the base particles.
[0043] In order to achieve a higher level of surface coverage,
mixtures of roofing granules having different average particle
sizes and particle size distributions can be employed. For example,
a mixture of first or primary roofing granules having a plate-like
geometry and a first average particle size and particle size
distribution and coated with a solar-heat reflective coating and
second or auxiliary roofing granules having a second average
particle size and particle size distribution. The second roofing
granules can also be coated with a solar heat-reflective coating, a
conventional roofing granule coating, or a coating adapted to
provide other desirable characteristics to the roofing shingle,
such as resistance to the growth of algae.
[0044] Stone dust can be employed as the source of the base
particles used for such second roofing granules. Stone dust is a
natural aggregate produced as a by-product of quarrying, stone
crushing, machining operations, and similar operations. In
particular, dust from talc, slag, limestone, granite, marble,
syenite, diabase, greystone, quartz, slate, trap rock, basalt,
greenstone, andesite, porphyry, rhyolite, greystone, and marine
shells can be used, as well as manufactured or recycled
manufactured materials such as ceramic grog, proppants, crushed
bricks, concrete, porcelain, fire clay, and the like. Ceramic
materials, such as silicon carbide and aluminum oxide of suitable
dimensions can also be used. Preferably, the base particles are
manufactured from crushing naturally occurring rocks with low free
silica into suitable sizes for their UV opacity and protection to
asphalt when the roofing granules according to the present
invention are employed to protect bituminous roofing materials such
as asphalt shingles. Such silica-deficient rocks are generally dark
in color and have low solar reflectance in the range around 8 to 15
percent.
[0045] The base particles employed to prepare the primary roofing
granules are preferably mineral particles suitable for roofing
applications, in the sense of providing UV opacity, and which are
also have a plate-like or flat geometry. This geometry is desirable
because roofing granules made from such plate-like or flat base
particles tend to provide good coverage of the asphaltic base layer
to be protected, and because granules prepared from such plate-like
or flat base particles will have a tendency to lay flat as they are
being deposited onto the moving web of molten asphalt during
roofing membrane manufacture. Preferably, the coating applied to
the base particles does not significantly affect the geometry of
the resulting roofing granules. Thus, the primary roofing granules
of the present invention will have essentially the same geometry as
the plate-like or flat base particles from which the primary
roofing granules are formed. The plate-like or flat geometry of
such primary roofing granules provides enhanced total surface
reflectance of the roofing shingles of the present invention due to
the increase in spectral reflectance contribution, as compared to
conventional roofing granules. Conventional roofing granules tend
to have irregular shapes, so that there can be a significant loss
in solar heat reflectance due to surface roughness.
[0046] The base particles employed to prepare the primary roofing
granules are preferably encapsulated with a highly solar heat
reflective coating to render them highly solar heat reflective. In
one presently preferred embodiment, the highly solar heat
reflective coating is white in color. Preferably, the surface area
of the base particles is at least 90 percent covered with the solar
heat reflective coating, more preferably at least 95 percent
covered with the solar heat reflective coating, and still more
preferably the at least 98 percent covered with the solar heat
reflective coating. Still more preferably, the base particles are
encapsulated completely with the solar heat reflective coating;
that is, the entire surface area of the base particles is covered
with the solar heat reflective coating.
[0047] Preferably, the composition and the thickness of the solar
heat reflective coating are selected to provide solar heat
reflective roofing granules with a solar heat reflectance of
greater than 70 percent.
[0048] Preferably, the average first aspect ratio of the roofing
granules is at least 3, more preferably at least 5, and still more
preferably at least 7. Preferably, the average second aspect ratio
ranges from about 1 to 3. The average aspect ratios of the roofing
granules, assuming a uniform coating, will be slightly less than
the average aspect ratio of the base particles.
[0049] Preferably, the thickness of the solar heat-reflective
coating is at least one mil (0.001 inch, 2.54.times.10.sup.-5 m),
more preferably at least 2 mils, and still more preferably at least
3 mils, in order to achieve a solar reflectance greater than 70
percent. The desired thickness of the solar-heat reflective coating
will depend upon the concentration of solar heat-reflective
pigment(s) in the coating and the nature of the solar
heat-reflective pigment(s) in the coating. Preferably, the coating
is uniform, such that the thickness of the coating does not vary by
more than about 25 percent, more preferably by no more than about
10 percent, from the average coating thickness, at the 95 percent
confidence Interval.
[0050] Examples of clays that can be employed in the process of the
present invention include kaolin, other aluminosilicate clays,
Dover clay, bentonite clay, etc.
[0051] Suitable solar heat reflective particles include titanium
dioxides such as rutile titanium dioxide and anatase titanium
dioxide, metal pigments, titanates, and mirrorized silica
pigments.
[0052] In order to achieve high solar heat-reflectance, in one
presently preferred embodiment, the binder, pigment, and ratio of
pigment to binder are preferably selected such that the solar
heat-reflective granules are white in color, and preferably have
(a*.sup.2+b*.sup.2).sup.1/2 less than 10, more preferably less than
6, and still more preferably, less than 2.5. Further, preferably
the solar heat-reflective granules have an L* of at least 75, more
preferably at least 80, still more preferably at least 85, and even
more preferably at least 90.
[0053] Examples of mirrorized silica pigments that can be employed
in the process of the present invention include pigments such as
Chrom Brite CB4500, available from Bead Brite, 400 Oser Ave, Suite
600, Hauppauge, N.Y. 11788.
[0054] An example of a rutile titanium dioxide that can be employed
in the solar heat reflective roofing granules of the present
invention includes R-101, available from Du Pont de Nemours, P.O.
Box 8070, Wilmington, Del. 19880.
[0055] Examples of metal pigments that can be employed in the solar
reflective roofing granule of the present invention include
aluminum flake pigment, copper flake pigments, copper alloy flake
pigments, and the like. Metal pigments are available, for example,
from ECKART America Corporation, Painesville, Ohio 44077. Suitable
aluminum flake pigments include water-dispersible lamellar aluminum
powders such as Eckart RO-100, RO-200, RO-300, RO-400, RO-500 and
RO-600, non-leafing silica coated aluminum flake powders such as
Eckart STANDART PCR 212, PCR 214, PCR 501, PCR 801, and PCR 901,
and STANDART Resist 211, STANDART Resist 212, STANDART Resist 214,
STANDART Resist 501 and STANDART Resist 80; silica-coated
oxidation-resistant gold bronze pigments based on copper or
copper-zinc alloys such as Eckart DOROLAN 08/0 Pale Gold, DOROLAN
08/0 Rich Gold and DOROLAN 10/0 Copper.
[0056] Examples of titanates that can be employed in the solar
reflective roofing granules of the present invention include
titanate pigments such as colored rutile, priderite, and
pseudobrookite structured pigments, including titanate pigments
comprising a solid solution of a dopant phase in a rutile lattice
such as nickel titanium yellow, chromium titanium buff, and
manganese titanium brown pigments, priderite pigments such as
barium nickel titanium pigment; and pseudobrookite pigments such as
iron titanium brown, and iron aluminum brown. The preparation and
properties of titanate pigments are discussed in Hugh M. Smith,
High Performance Pigments, Wiley-VCH. pp. 53-74 (2002).
[0057] Examples of near IR-reflective pigments available from the
Shepherd Color Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, include Arctic Black
10C909 (chromium green-black), Black 411 (chromium iron oxide),
Brown 12 (zinc iron chromite), Brown 8 (iron titanium brown
spinel), and Yellow 193 (chrome antimony titanium).
[0058] Aluminum oxide, preferably in powdered form, can be used as
solar-reflective additive in the color coating formulation to
improve the solar reflectance of colored roofing granules without
affecting the color. The aluminum oxide should have particle size
less than #40 mesh (425 micrometers), preferably between 0.1
micrometers and 5 micrometers. More preferably, the particle size
is between 0.3 micrometers and 2 micrometers. The alumina should
have a percentage of aluminum oxide greater than 90 percent, more
preferably greater than 95 percent. Preferably the alumina is
incorporated into the granule so that it is concentrated near
and/or at the outer surface of the granule.
[0059] In addition, granule coloring pigments such as iron oxide,
white pigments such as lithopone, zinc sulfide, zinc oxide, and
lead oxide, void pigments such as spherical styrene/acrylic beads
(Ropaque.RTM. beads, Rohm and Haas Company), and/or hollow glass
beads having pigmentary size for increased light scattering, can
also be mixed with the solar reflective particles and mineral
particles and binder to form the uncured granules, or with the
solar reflective particles to be adhered to the exterior surface of
the uncured granules. In the case where an organic polymeric void
pigment is employed, a lower temperature cycle is desirable to
avoid alteration of or damage to such pigment. In addition,
functional fillers can be added to improve total solar reflectance.
Examples of functional fillers include calcined clay, pigment
spacer, pigment disperser, coating viscosity modifiers, and
nano-particle additives for pigment exfoliation.
[0060] A colored, infrared-reflective pigment can also be employed
in preparing the solar heat reflective roofing granules of the
present invention. Preferably, the colored, infrared-reflective
pigment comprises a solid solution including iron oxide, such as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,360, incorporated herein by
reference. The colored infrared-reflective pigment can also
comprise a near infrared-reflecting composite pigment such as
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,521,038, incorporated herein by
reference. Composite pigments are composed of a near-infrared
non-absorbing colorant of a chromatic or black color and a white
pigment coated with the near-infrared non-absorbing colorant.
Near-infrared non-absorbing colorants that can be used in the
present invention are organic pigments such as organic pigments
including azo, anthraquinone, phthalocyanine, perinone/perylene,
indigo/thioindigo, dioxazine, quinacridone, isoindolinone,
isoindoline, diketopyrrolopyrrole, azomethine, and azomethine-azo
functional groups. Preferred black organic pigments include organic
pigments having azo, azomethine, and perylene functional groups.
When organic colorants are employed, a low temperature cure process
is preferred to avoid thermal degradation of the organic
colorants.
[0061] The solar-reflective roofing granules of the present
invention can include conventional coatings pigments. Examples of
coatings pigments that can be used include those provided by the
Color Division of Ferro Corporation, 4150 East 56th St., Cleveland,
Ohio 44101, and produced using high temperature calcinations,
including PC-9415 Yellow, PC-9416 Yellow, PC-9158 Autumn Gold,
PC-9189 Bright Golden Yellow, V-9186 Iron-Free Chestnut Brown,
V-780 Black, V0797 IR Black, V-9248 Blue, PC-9250 Bright Blue,
PC-5686 Turquoise, V-13810 Red, V-12600 Camouflage Green, V12560 IR
Green, V-778 IR Black, and V-799 Black.
[0062] The solar reflective roofing granules of the present
invention can also include light-interference platelet pigments.
Light-interference platelet pigments are known to give rise to
various optical effects when incorporated in coatings, including
opalescence or "pearlescence."
[0063] Examples of light-interference platelet pigments that can be
employed in the process of the present invention include pigments
available from Wenzhou Pearlescent Pigments Co., Ltd., No. 9 Small
East District, Wenzhou Economical and Technical Development Zone.
Peoples Republic of China, such as Taizhu TZ5013 (mica, rutile
titanium dioxide and iron oxide, golden color), TZ5012 (mica,
rutile titanium dioxide and iron oxide, golden color), TZ4013 (mica
and iron oxide, wine red color), TZ4012 (mica and iron oxide, red
brown color), TZ4011 (mica and iron oxide, bronze color), TZ2015
(mica and rutile titanium dioxide, interference green color),
TZ2014 (mica and rutile titanium dioxide, interference blue color),
TZ2013 (mica and rutile titanium dioxide, interference violet
color). TZ2012 (mica and rutile titanium dioxide, interference red
color), TZ2011 (mica and rutile titanium dioxide, interference
golden color), TZ1222 (mica and rutile titanium dioxide, silver
white color), TZ1004 (mica and anatase titanium dioxide, silver
white color), TZ4001/600 (mica and iron oxide, bronze appearance),
TZ5003/600 (mica, titanium oxide and iron oxide, gold appearance),
TZ1001/80 (mica and titanium dioxide, off-white appearance),
TZ2001/600 (mica, titanium dioxide, tin oxide, off-white/gold
appearance), TZ2004/600 (mica, titanium dioxide, tin oxide,
off-white/blue appearance), TZ2005/600 (mica, titanium dioxide, tin
oxide, off-white/green appearance), and TZ4002/600 (mica and iron
oxide, bronze appearance).
[0064] Examples of light-interference platelet pigments that can be
employed in the process of the present invention also include
pigments available from Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, such as
Iriodin.RTM. pearlescent pigment based on mica covered with a thin
layer of titanium dioxide and/or iron oxide; Xirallic.TM. high
chroma crystal effect pigment based upon Al2O3 platelets coated
with metal oxides, including Xirallic T 60-10 WNT crystal silver,
Xirallic T 60-20 WNT sunbeam gold, and Xirallic F 60-50 WNT
fireside copper; ColorStream.TM. multi color effect pigments based
on SiO.sub.2 platelets coated with metal oxides, including
ColorStream F 20-00 WNT autumn mystery and ColorStream F 20-07 WNT
viola fantasy; and ultra interference pigments based on titanium
dioxide and mica.
[0065] The solar heat reflective coating can be applied to the base
particles by any coating process known in the art. However, coating
processes which provide a uniform coating on the base particles are
preferred. Preferably, the coating weight per unit surface area
varies by no more than ten percent, more preferably by no more than
five percent, and still more preferably, by no more than two
percent. Preferably, the coating completely covers the base
particles. Further, it is preferred that there be no areas of the
base particles which are covered with only a nominal thickness of
coating or which are not coated at all.
[0066] Examples of coating process which can be employed in
preparing the roofing granules of the present invention include
fluidized bed coating, encapsulation by gelation, chelation,
solvent evaporation, coacervation, vesicle formation, and spinning
disk encapsulation. In one embodiment of the present invention,
fluidized bed coating is presently preferred. Suitable coating
methods are disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Patent Publication
2006/0251807 A1, incorporated herein by reference.
[0067] This type of coating device is preferably employed to
provide a precise and uniform coating on the surface of the
particles of the present invention. Multiple coating layers can be
applied in a single batch by applying a sequence of coating
materials to the particles through a suitable spray nozzle.
[0068] Wurster-type fluidized bed spray devices are available from
a number of vendors, including Glatt Air Techniques. Inc., Ramsey,
N.J. 07446; Chungjin Tech. Co. Ltd., South Korea; Fluid Air Inc.,
Aurora, Ill. 60504, and Niro Inc., Columbia, Md. 21045.
[0069] The nature, extent, and thickness of the coating provided in
a Wurster-type fluidized bed spray device depends upon a number of
parameters including the residence time of the particles in the
device, the particle shape, the particle size distribution, the
temperature of the suspending airflow, the temperature of the
fluidized bed of particles, the pressure of the suspending airflow,
the pressure of the atomizing gas, the composition of the coating
material, the size of the droplets of coating material, the size of
the droplets of coating material relative to the size of the
particles to be coated, the spreadability of the droplets of
coating material on the surface of the particles to be coated, the
loading of the device with the mineral particles or batch size, the
viscosity of the coating material, the physical dimensions of the
device, and the spray rate.
[0070] Modified Wurster-type devices and processes, such as, the
Wurster-type coating device disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication
2005/0069707, incorporated herein by reference, for improving the
coating of asymmetric particles, can also be employed. In addition,
lining the interior surface of the coating device with
abrasion-resistant materials can be employed to extend the service
life of the coater.
[0071] Other types of batch process particle fluidized bed spray
coating techniques and devices can be used. For example, the
particles can be suspended in a fluidized bed, and the coating
material can be applied tangentially to the flow of the fluidized
bed, as by use of a rotary device to impart motion to the coating
material droplets.
[0072] In the alternative, other types of particle fluidized bed
spray coating can be employed. For example, the particles can be
suspended as a fluidized bed, and coated by spray application of a
coating material from above the fluidized bed. In another
alternative, the particles can be suspended in a fluidized bed, and
coated by spray application of a coating material from below the
fluidized bed, such as is described in detail above. In either
case, the coating material can be applied in either a batch process
or a continuous process. In coating devices used in continuous
processes, uncoated particles enter the fluidized bed and can
travel through several zones, such as a preheating zone, a spray
application zone, and a drying zone, before the coated particles
exit the device. Further, the particles can travel through multiple
zones in which different coating layers are applied as the
particles travel through the corresponding coating zones.
[0073] In the spinning disc method the granules and droplets of the
liquid coating material are simultaneously released from the edge
of a spinning disk, such as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,675,140.
[0074] Other processes suitable for depositing uniform coating on
the granules will become apparent to those who are skilled in the
art.
[0075] For example, magnetically assisted impaction coating
("MAIC") available from Aveka Corp., Woodbury, Minn., can be used
to coat granules with solid particles such as titanium dioxide.
Other techniques for coating dry particles with dry materials can
also be adapted for use in the present process, such as the use of
a Mechanofusion device, available from Hosokawa Micron Corp.,
Osaka, JP; a Theta Composer device, available from Tokuj Corp.,
Hiratsuka, JP, and a Hybridizer device, available from Nara
Machinery, Tokyo, JP.
[0076] Coating materials useful in the process of the present
invention can include a coating binder and one or more pigments,
functional fillers, as well as functional additives for improved
processing, to improve dispersion of pigments, to space out
pigments for optimal scattering, to enhance fire resistance, to
provide algae resistance, etc.
[0077] Preferably, the coating material, including the coating
binder, the pigments employed, and the additives, applied to the
base particles is suitable for roofing applications. Coating
materials which provide coatings with very good outdoor durability
are preferred. It is also preferred that the coating material
employed provide a coating with excellent fire resistance.
[0078] Examples of coating binders that can be employed to prepare
the coat material used to coat the base particle for providing the
solar heat reflective roofing granules of the present invention
include metal silicates, fluoropolymers, metal phosphates. silica
coatings, sol-gel coatings, polysiloxanes, silicone coating,
polyurethane coating, polyacrylates, or their combinations.
[0079] Coating compositions employed by the present invention can
include inorganic binders such as ceramic binders, and binders
formed from silicates, silica, zirconates, titanates, phosphate
compounds, et al. For example, the coating composition can include
sodium silicate and kaolin clay.
[0080] Organic binders can also be employed in the process of the
present invention. The use of suitable organic binders, when cured
can also provide superior granule surface with enhanced granule
adhesion to the asphalt substrate and with better staining
resistance to asphaltic materials. Roofing granules including
inorganic binders often require additional surface treatments to
impart certain water repellency for granule adhesion and staining
resistance. U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,760 discloses examples of
polysiloxane-treated roofing granules that provide enhanced water
repellency and staining resistance. With the organic binders, the
additional surface treatments may be eliminated. Also, certain
organic binders, particularly those water-based systems, can be
cured by drying at much lower temperatures as compared to the
inorganic binders such as metal-silicates, which often require
curing at temperatures greater than about 500 degrees C. or by
using a separate pickling process to render the coating
durable.
[0081] Examples of organic binders that can be employed in the
process of the present invention include acrylic polymers, alkyds
and polyesters, amino resins, melamine resins, epoxy resins,
phenolics, polyamides, polyurethanes, silicone resins, vinyl
resins, polyols, cycloaliphatic epoxides, polysulfides, phenoxy,
fluoropolymer resins. Examples of uv-curable organic binders that
can be employed in the process of the present invention include
uv-curable acrylates, uv-curable polyurethanes, uv-curable
cycloaliphatic epoxides, and blends of these polymers. In addition,
electron beam-curable polyurethanes, acrylates and other polymers
can also be used as binders. High solids, film-forming, synthetic
polymer latex binders are useful in the practice of the present
invention. Presently preferred polymeric materials useful as
binders include uv-resistant polymeric materials, such as
poly(meth)acrylate materials, including poly methyl methacrylate,
copolymers of methyl methacrylate and alkyl acrylates such as ethyl
acrylate and butyl acrylate, and copolymers of acrylate and
methacrylate monomers with other monomers, such as styrene.
Preferably, the monomer composition of the copolymer is selected to
provide a hard, durable coating. If desired, the monomer mixture
can include functional monomers to provide desirable properties,
such as crosslinkability to the copolymers. The organic material
can be dispersed or dissolved in a suitable solvent, such as
coatings solvents well known in the coatings arts, and the
resulting solution used to coat the granules. Alternatively,
water-borne emulsified organic materials, such as acrylate emulsion
polymers, can be employed to coat the granules, and the water
subsequently removed to allow the emulsified organic materials of
the coating composition to coalesce. When a fluidized bed coating
device is used to coat the inorganic particles, the coating
composition can be a 100 percent solids, hot-melt composition
including a synthetic organic polymer that is heated to melt the
composition before spray application.
[0082] Preferably, the coating material includes one or more solar
heat reflective pigments. Examples of solar heat reflective
pigments include titanium dioxide, calcium carbonate, zinc oxide,
lithopone, zinc sulfide, white lead, and organic and inorganic
opacifiers such as glass spheres.
[0083] The coating material can further include one or more
functional additives. Examples of such functional additives include
curing agents for the binder, pigment spacers, such as purified
kaolin clays, and viscosity modifiers. The coating material can
also contain biocides or algaecides for obtaining resistance to
microbial discoloration.
[0084] Preferably, the coating material is formulated so that the
final coating layer comprises from about 35 to 55 percent by weight
pigment, more preferably, from about 45 to 50 percent by weight
pigment.
[0085] Depending on the nature of the binder used to prepare the
coating material, after application of the coating material to the
base particles to form a coating layer, it may be necessary to cure
the binder, as by application of heat, by application of
ultraviolet radiation, or the like. If the binder is dispersed in a
solvent such as water or an organic solvent, it may be necessary to
drive off the solvent from the coating material after application
of the coating material to the base particles to form a coating
layer in order to encourage film formation, or otherwise "cure" the
coating material. If the binder is a high solids material, cure may
be effected by simply permitting the coated particles to cool after
application of the coating material to the base particles to form a
coating layer at an elevated temperature.
[0086] The solar heat reflective roofing granules of the present
invention can used directly in conventional roofing membrane
manufacturing by replacing the surfacing media without change in
machinery. However, the processing conditions may need to be
adjusted such that optimal granule embedment may be achieved to
ensure the adhesion of the roofing granules to asphalt
substrate.
[0087] Preferably, the roofing granules of the present invention
are applied to the upper surface of a base sheet such that at least
85 percent of the upper surface of the base sheet is covered with
the roofing granules. More preferably, at least 90 percent of the
base sheet is covered with the roofing granules; and still more
preferably, at least 95 percent of the base sheet is covered with
the roofing granules.
[0088] The resultant roofing product can then be applied to a roof
for effectively reflect solar heat such that the cool energy for
indoor space may be reduced during hot summer times.
[0089] Referring now to the figures, in which like reference
numerals refer to like elements in each of the several views, there
is shown schematically in FIG. 1 an example of solar heat
reflective roofing granules according to the present invention.
[0090] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a
first embodiment of solar reflective roofing granule 10 according
to the present invention. The solar reflective roofing granule 10
comprises a plurality of inert mineral particles 12 having an
aspect ratio greater than three and solar reflective particles 16
dispersed in a binder 14 to form a coating 18.
[0091] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a
first embodiment of a roofing product 20 according to the present
invention. The roofing product 20 includes a base sheet 22 formed
from a suitable reinforcing material such as a glass fiber web 24
embedded in a bituminous material 26. On the upper surface of the
base sheet 22 are imbedded a plurality of generally plate-like
roofing granules 30 formed from a suitable base particle, such as a
slate particle, covered with a highly solar reflective coating. The
roofing granules 30 cover the base sheet 22 in sufficient quantity
and density to provide as solar heat reflectance of at least 70
percent.
[0092] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of a
second embodiment of a roofing product 50 according to the present
invention. The roofing product 50 includes a base sheet 52 formed
from a suitable reinforcing material such as a glass fiber web 54
embedded in a bituminous material 56. On the upper surface of the
base sheet 52 are imbedded a plurality of generally a first class
of plate-like roofing granules 60 formed from a suitable base
particle, such as a slate particle, covered with a highly solar
reflective coating. Interspersed among the first class of roofing
granules 60 are roofing granules 70 of a second class, which may
also be solar heat reflective granules, or provide another desired
performance property, such as algae resistance. The second class of
roofing granules 70 are significantly smaller in average dimension
than the first class of roofing granules 60, and are generally
spherical in shape, and are selected so that they will tend to lie
in the interstices among the first group of roofing granules 60.
The second class of roofing granules 70 are applied to the base
sheet 52 after the first class of roofing granules 60 have been
applied to the base sheet 52. The two classes of roofing granules
60, 70 cover the base sheet 52 in sufficient quantity and density
to provide as solar heat reflectance of greater 70 percent, such as
at least about 85 percent of the surface, at least about 90 percent
of the surface, or even at least about 95% of the surface.
[0093] The solar reflective roofing granules of the present
invention can be employed in the manufacture of roofing products,
such as asphalt shingles and bituminous membranes, using
conventional roofing production processes. Typically, bituminous
roofing products are sheet goods that include a non-woven base or
scrim formed of a fibrous material, such as a glass fiber scrim.
The base is coated with one or more layers of a bituminous material
such as asphalt to provide water and weather resistance to the
roofing product. One side of the roofing product is typically
coated with mineral granules to provide durability, reflect heat
and solar radiation, and to protect the bituminous binder from
environmental degradation. The solar reflective roofing granules of
the present invention can be mixed with conventional roofing
granules, and the granule mixture can be embedded in the surface of
such bituminous roofing products using conventional methods.
Alternatively, the solar reflective roofing granules of the present
invention can be substituted for conventional roofing granules in
manufacture of bituminous roofing products.
[0094] Bituminous roofing products are typically manufactured in
continuous processes in which a continuous substrate sheet of a
fibrous material such as a continuous felt sheet or glass fiber mat
is immersed in a bath of hot, fluid bituminous coating material so
that the bituminous material saturates the substrate sheet and
coats at least one side of the substrate. The reverse side of the
substrate sheet can be coated with an anti-stick material such as a
suitable mineral powder or a fine sand. Roofing granules are then
distributed over selected portions of the top of the sheet, and the
bituminous material serves as an adhesive to bind the roofing
granules to the sheet when the bituminous material has cooled. The
sheet can then be cut into conventional shingle sizes and shapes
(such as one foot by three feet rectangles), slots can be cut in
the shingles to provide a plurality of "tabs" for ease of
installation and aesthetic effect, additional bituminous adhesive
can be applied in strategic locations and covered with release
paper to provide for securing successive courses of shingles during
roof installation, and the finished shingles can be packaged. More
complex methods of shingle construction can also be employed, such
as building up multiple layers of sheet in selected portions of the
shingle to provide an enhanced visual appearance, or to simulate
other types of roofing products. Alternatively, the sheet can be
formed into membranes or roil goods for commercial or industrial
roofing applications.
[0095] The bituminous material used in manufacturing roofing
products according to the present invention is derived from a
petroleum-processing by-product such as pitch, "straight-run"
bitumen, or "blown" bitumen. The bituminous material can be
modified with extender materials such as oils, petroleum extracts,
and/or petroleum residues. The bituminous material can include
various modifying ingredients such as polymeric materials, such as
SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) block copolymers, resins,
flame-retardant materials, oils, stabilizing materials, anti-static
compounds, and the like. Preferably, the total amount by weight of
such modifying ingredients is not more than about 15 percent of the
total weight of the bituminous material. The bituminous material
can also include amorphous polyolefins, up to about 25 percent by
weight. Examples of suitable amorphous polyolefins include atactic
polypropylene, ethylene-propylene rubber, etc. Preferably, the
amorphous polyolefins employed have a softening point of from about
130 degrees C. to about 160 degrees C. The bituminous composition
can also include a suitable filler, such as calcium carbonate,
talc, carbon black, stone dust, or fly ash, preferably in an amount
from about 10 percent to 70 percent by weight of the bituminous
composite material.
[0096] The following examples are provided to better disclose and
teach processes and compositions of the present invention. They are
for illustrative purposes only, and it must be acknowledged that
minor variations and changes can be made without materially
affecting the spirit and scope of the invention as recited in the
claims that follow.
EXAMPLE 1
[0097] 140 Kg of slate granules (PN15 slate granules, available
from ARTI--Groupe CAR LAC Parc d'Entreprises l'Esplanade 7, rue
Paul-Henri Speak F-77462 Saint Thibault des Vignes, France,) were
employed as base particles. A representative base particle is shown
in the micrograph of FIG. 5. The base particles were encapsulated
with a white coating material using a fluidized bed coater (Model
1800 with W18-3 plate and CPI-#2 tip spray nozzle, available from
The Coating Place Inc., Verona, Wis.). A representative roofing
granule is shown in the micrograph of FIG. 6. The highly reflective
coating consisted of 35.7 Kg of sodium silicate (Grade 40 from
OxiChem Corp, Dallas, Tex.), 59.4 Kg water, 30 Kg of titanium
dioxide pigment (R101 from DuPont Corp., Wilmington, Del.), and 15
Kg of kaolin clay (AF grade Snobrite from Unimin Corp). The coating
is prepared by blending the ingredients in a tank using an
air-driven mechanical agitator with air pressure of 80 psi till
reaching uniform dispersion. The particles are encapsulated by the
coating in the fluidized bed coater with 0.9 scfm fluidizing air
and inlet temperature of 210 degrees F. After proper fluidization,
the coating is then sprayed at a spray rate of 280 g/min using
atomizing air pressure of 80 psi and a Randolph 500 peristaltic
pump.
[0098] The resultant granules have a very uniform white coating and
complete encapsulation (FIG. 6). The color properties and solar
reflectance were measured and are listed in Table 1. The resultant
granules are then cured in a furnace at 700 degrees C. to
insolubilize the silicate coating for long-term durability. The
final granules have a very uniform white appearance and a solar
reflectance of 73% (Table 1).
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 CIE Color data Solar Reflectance Description
data L* a* b* % Slate granules 91.48 -0.04 2.18 70.6 encapsulated
by white coating (before coating curing) Slate granules 90.70 0.11
5.65 73.3 encapsulated by white coating (after coating curing at
700 degree C.)
EXAMPLE 2
[0099] The particle size distribution of a sample of the slate
particles used to form coated roofing granules of Example 1 was
determined using a CPA Haver videogranulometer (No. Serie 061). The
measured particle size distribution is provided in Table 2
below.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Minimum Maximum percent percent Sieve size
(mm) remaining remaining 3.150 0 2 2.500 1 6 2.000 6 14 1.600 12 20
1.000 12 19 0.800 10 17 0.630 7 15 0.500 3 6 0.315 2 6 0.250 0 2
<0.250 0 1
EXAMPLE 3
[0100] The coated roofing granules of Example 1 were inspected and
representative flakes were selected by eye. Particle shape was
determined using an Olympus SZ-PT stereo microscope with 4.times.
objective and 10.times. eyepiece, coupled with VIA-170 image system
with pre-calibrated dimension measurement to measure the length
(L), width (W), and thickness (T). The results of the measurements
are reported in Table 3 below.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 aspect aspect Particle width length
thickness ratio ratio No. W, mm L, mm T, mm L/W L/T 1 2.1386 3.3985
0.4642 1.589124 7.321198 2 2.354 2.6847 0.4901 1.140484 5.477862 3
2.2129 3.8102 0.6089 1.721813 6.257514 4 2.2277 3.1796 0.6219
1.427302 5.112719 5 2.7178 3.5693 0.245 1.313305 14.56857 6 1.8936
3.1796 0.3713 1.67913 8.563426 7 2.0792 3.2803 0.3639 1.577674
9.01429 8 2.302 3.1445 1.0619 1.365986 2.961202 9 1.8045 2.2467
0.245 1.245054 9.170204 10 1.396 4.8 0.4901 3.438395 9.79392 11
1.9604 2.6015 0.2822 1.327025 9.218639 12 1.5817 1.8394 0.3045
1.162926 6.040722 13 0.9579 1.8044 0.3416 1.883704 5.282201 14
0.6832 1.2788 0.245 1.87178 5.219592 15 2.0792 3.2453 0.2822
1.560841 11.5 16 1.3738 1.7912 0.2228 1.303829 8.039497 17 1.3144
2.0234 0.2896 1.53941 6.986878 18 1.6931 2.2029 0.2599 1.301104
8.475952 19 1.604 2.9956 0.3564 1.867581 8.405163 20 1.7905 3.0219
0.4381 1.687741 6.89774 21 2.1683 3.0745 0.7129 1.417931 4.312667
22 1.8416 2.6715 0.2846 1.450641 9.386859 23 1.9158 2.8905 0.5569
1.508769 5.190339 24 0.8911 1.4102 0.2376 1.582538 5.935185 25
1.7079 2.2861 0.5421 1.338544 4.217119 26 1.8193 4.1431 0.245
2.277304 16.91061 27 1.4035 2.7547 0.3861 1.962736 7.13468 28
1.8564 2.6672 0.2896 1.436759 9.209945 29 1.6782 2.2204 0.1856
1.323084 11.96336 average 1.7740 2.7661 0.3940 1.5966 7.8817 S.D.
0.4565 0.7991 0.1886 0.4397 3.0874 95% CI 0.1662 0.2908 0.0686
0.1600 1.1237
[0101] The average width W was determined to be 1.774 mm.+-.0.1662
(95% confidence). The average length L was determined to be 2.7661
mm.+-.0.7668. The average thickness T was determined to be 0.3940
mm.+-.0.0686 mm. Thus, the average aspect ratio L/W was determined
to be 1.5966.+-.0.1600, and the average aspect ratio L/T was
determined to be 7.8817.+-.1.1237. Since these measurements were
done on particles selected by hand, there may be a bias towards
larger particles. However, the averaged aspect ratio for L/W and
L/T should be unbiased, since the particles will only repeat their
geometry even with smaller particles
EXAMPLE 4
[0102] 70 kg of the slate granules employed in Example 1 were
encapsulated by fluidized bed coater (Model FL-M-60 18'' Wurster
accelerator, available from Vector Corp.) with a white coating
comprising 22.5 kg sodium silicate binder (Grade 40 from OxiChem
Corp., Dallas, Tex.), 27.5 kg water, 16 kg of titanium dioxide
pigment (R101 from DuPont Corp., Wilmington, Del.), 6 kg of kaolin
clay (AF grade Snobrite from Unimin Corp), and 5 kg of calcined
kaolin spacer for titanium dioxide pigment (Ultrex 96 available
from BASF Catalysts LLC, Iselin, N.J.). The particles were
encapsulated with the process conditions of 2 bar spray air
pressure, 2.7 bar accelerator pressure, 1500 cfm air, and an
average 1075 g/min pump rate using a peristaltic pump and a 2.2 mm
nozzle diameter spray gun. The total spray time was 65 minutes. The
granules were then cured in a furnace at 700 degrees C. The
resultant granules had a solar reflectance of 77% with CIE color
reading of L*=92.78, a*=0.07, and b*=5.06.
EXAMPLE 5
[0103] The solar heat-reflective roofing granules of Example 1 were
applied to a moving bituminous base sheet at 130 feet/minute by
feeding the granules at the feeder box of a typical roofing line.
The granules were applied to the base sheet at sheet temperature of
335.degree. F. followed by light press at 10-15 psi in order to
provide a roofing product according to the present invention. FIG.
4 is a micrograph of the result roofing product.
[0104] Various modifications can be made in the details of the
various embodiments of the processes, compositions and articles of
the present invention, all within the scope and spirit of the
invention and defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *