On January 17, 2026, to strengthen the continuous exchange of new products and technologies in the steel structure field, implement the concept of high-quality development in the industry under the new circumstances, and jointly promote the continuous and healthy development of the metal enclosure system industry, a delegation led by Cai Zhaoyun, Secretary-General of the Metal Roofing Technology Branch of the China Building Waterproofing Association and the Enclosure System Branch of the China Steel Structure Association, visited Canlon for observation and exchange. Qian Lindi, Chairman of Canlon, Wang Pingping, Vice President, and Wang Yazhou, General Manager of the Application Technology R&D Center, warmly received the visiting branch presidents and directors.
Polymer waterproofing membranes play a critical role in modern construction, with Thermoplastic Polyolefins (TPO) and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) being two widely used primary materials. Their long-term performance, particularly weatherability and durability, directly determines the reliability and service life of building envelopes. This article will delve into the impact of environmental factors on the molecular structures of these two materials from a materials science perspective and explore the underlying aging mechanisms and their respective application scenarios.
In the history of modern construction, persistent leakage, akin to a "water curtain cave," has long plagued the industry and end-users. The limitations of traditional waterproofing materials in terms of durability, environmental friendliness, and construction convenience have struggled to meet the higher demands of contemporary buildings for long-term safety, energy efficiency, and sustainability. Today, polymer waterproofing membranes, represented by PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin), and HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), are leading a technological revolution with their superior performance, becoming the preferred solution for large public buildings, industrial plants, transportation hubs, and green roofs.
Among the many waterproofing materials available, polyurethane waterproof coatings are becoming an increasingly popular choice due to their superior physical properties. Today, we'll discuss one of the more technologically advanced options: white, anti-sagging polyurethane. The emergence of "anti-sagging" technology is precisely to win this battle against gravity. It gives the coating a magical "thixotropic" property: during application, it is soft and smooth, easy to brush; once the brush stops, it's as if it's been "frozen," quickly solidifying and adhering firmly to the wall or slope. This ensures a uniform coating, eliminating the problem of uneven thickness caused by dripping at its source. Furthermore, uniform application reduces material waste and avoids the need for repeated brushing due to insufficient initial coat thickness.
Concrete is the main base material for all kinds of buildings. It is made by mixing cement, sand, stone, water, and, when necessary, admixtures and mineral admixtures in appropriate proportions, and then mixing, molding, curing and hardening. Therefore, it has a certain degree of density. The cement hydration products (such as CSH gel) fill the gaps between the aggregates, which theoretically seems to prevent water penetration. However, during the drying and hardening process of ordinary concrete, due to water evaporation and volume changes caused by cement hydration, tiny capillary pores and gel pores inevitably form. These pores constitute pathways for the penetration of water and other harmful substances.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) bitumen-based waterproof membranes have been widely used in waterproofing projects. With the rapid development of the times, they have been continuously improved and evolved to take into account the importance of environmental protection. For a long time, they have remained popular due to their low cost. As a representative of new synthetic polymer waterproof materials, TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin waterproof membrane) has developed rapidly in the European and American markets since its birth in the 1990s. Due to its advantages such as anti-aging, high tensile strength, large elongation, and ability to be applied to damp roofs, it has long occupied the number one position in the North American roofing market. Today, Canlon will take the roofing scenario as an example to analyze the performance comparison of TPO membrane and SBS membrane, two common roofing waterproofing materials.
Recently, Canlon has added another internationally authoritative certification – its TPO/PVC waterproof membrane has successfully passed the product rating accreditation of the Cool Roof Rating Council (CRRC) after three years of outdoor testing, making it one of the few domestic companies to hold certifications for both polymer waterproof materials. This also signifies that Canlon's roofing waterproofing products have reached internationally advanced levels in terms of thermal radiation efficiency and green energy-saving performance, opening new channels for expanding into the global green building market.
In recent years, with the advancement and deployment of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality initiatives, high-performance PVC and TPO polymer waterproof membranes, which offer energy savings and environmental benefits, have experienced rapid growth in China. Due to their superior physical properties, they exhibit exceptionally long-lasting aging resistance when used directly exposed, and have long held the position of "King of Roofing" in the North American market.
