Monday, April 30, 2018

TPV Waterstop for Secondary Containment


Earth Shield® Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Waterstop is used as a fluid-tight diaphragm, embedded in concrete, across and along the joint, for primary and secondary containment structures. Earth Shield® Chemical Resistant Waterstops are resistant to a wide range of oils, solvents, and aggressive chemicals. Alcohol, ketones, glycols, esters, and aqueous solutions of acids, salts, and bases have little effect on Earth Shield® Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Waterstop.

Unlike polyvinyl chloride (PVC) waterstop, Earth Shield® waterstop contains no plasticizer, stabilizer, or filler to leech out when exposed to chemicals, fuels, and aggressive industrial fluids. Also, unlike PVC waterstop, Earth Shield® can withstand prolonged exposure to high and low temperatures (-78°F to 275°F long term) without detrimental effect.

Earth Shield® TPV Waterstop is NSF Standard 61 Certified for use in drinking water and is made of a recyclable polymer, so it is good for health and the environment.

The superior chemical resistance of Earth Shield® Thermoplastic Vulcanizate Waterstop is enhanced by the use of a ribbed centerbulb configuration, which is available in a 4, 6, and 9-inch width. This provides for greater mechanical bonding with the concrete and a barrier against migration of liquid flow around the waterstop. The ribbed centerbulb style also allows for joint movement and may be used in above or below grade applications. Additional shapes are available for retrofit, extreme expansion, stainless steel and base seal applications. 


Different varieties and grades of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are commercially available. On the low-end there is thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), which has a rubber phase that is not cross-linked. On the high-end there is thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV)... Earth Shield® has chosen a fully cross-linked TPV as our standard elastomer compound, which provides superior mechanical properties, retention, and chemical resistance. In fact, when compared side-by-side, no competitive product is even close to achieving the physical properties of Earth Shield®

Sunday, April 22, 2018

Ribbed Centerbulb Waterstop

Earth Shield® Waterstop part no. JP636
Ribbed centerbulb is the most versatile type of waterstop available. The centerbulb accommodates lateral, transverse, and shear movement. Ribbed centerbulb can be used in expansion, construction, and control joints. Ribbed centerbulb waterstops provide superior anchoring abilities and a long fluid-flow path because of the multiple ribs on the exterior flanges. Under stress, the multiple ribs will distort less than a dumbbell type waterstop. This is because the stress is first applied to the inward-most anchoring rib, and decreases to the subsequent ribs. The centerbulb allows for joint movement beyond the ultimate elongation of the material (530%), without causing distortion to anchoring ribs. All of our ribbed centerbulb waterstops are manufactured with a large outer diameter centerbulb. This centerbulb, coupled with the outstanding mechanical properties of our proprietary TPV elastomer (ultimate elongation, tensile strength, etc.), provides for unsurpassed joint movement and sealing abilities. Like all our thermoplastic vulcanizate waterstops, Earth Shield® ribbed centerbulb waterstop can be heat-welded using a standard waterstop splicing iron. This allows for easy field fabrications, and allows the waterstop to function as a continuous, homogeneous, fluid-tight diaphragm. Waterstop change of directions can be purchased along with straight roll stock, and custom, fit-to-print waterstop modules are produced to order. Prefabricated ells, tees, tank pads, column fittings, and many others are in stock and ready to ship.