CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to and all benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/230,292, filed on August 6, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is fully incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002] The general inventive concepts relate to facer materials and, more particularly, to a reinforced composite facer that includes a carrier substrate, a scrim, and a thermoplastic coating. The reinforced composite facer is useful as a facer for insulation substrates, particularly insulation substrates that are used in roofing systems.

BACKGROUND

[0003] A commercial roof tends to have a low slope or be entirely flat and is much larger than a typical residential roof. Roofing systems for commercial roofs typically include many insulation panels having a core formed of polyisocyanurate or other insulative materials that are secured to the roof deck. Protective cover boards are placed on top of the insulation panels. The cover boards may also have a core formed of polyisocyanurate or other insulative materials. The cores of the insulation panels and cover boards are generally sandwiched between facer materials. A conventional facer material for insulation panels and cover boards, particularly an upper surface thereof, is a coated glass facer, which is formed by applying a mineral-based coating onto a nonwoven glass mat. The cover boards are secured to the underlying insulation panels and the roof deck using a number of fasteners, such as sixteen (16) fasteners per coverboard.

[0004] In addition to containing the core materials, the facer materials serve a variety of functions. For example, facer materials can add structural integrity and dimensional stability to the insulation panels and coverboards. Also, facer materials can provide improved performance with respect to wind uplift as well as indentation resistance. Wind uplift can cause fastener pull-through and failure of the roofing system. In typical roofing systems, improved wind uplift performance is accomplished by using additional fasteners to secure the cover boards and insulation panels to the roof deck. However, using more fasteners increases the amount of labor and materials required to install the roofing system, which also increases the total amount of time and cost associated with installing the roofing system.

[0005] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for facer materials for insulation panels and coverboards that provide acceptable performance in a roofing system while requiring fewer fasteners.

SUMMARY

[0006] The general inventive concepts relate to a reinforced composite facer, an insulation assembly that includes a reinforced composite facer, and a method of making a reinforced composite facer. To illustrate various aspects of the general inventive concepts, several exemplary embodiments of reinforced composite facers, insulation assemblies, and methods of making the reinforced composite facer are disclosed.

[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a reinforced composite facer is provided. The reinforced composite facer includes a carrier substrate having a first carrier surface and a second carrier surface, a scrim in contact with the first carrier surface, and a thermoplastic coating covering the scrim and contacting the first carrier surface. The thermoplastic coating adheres the scrim to the carrier substrate.

[0008] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, an insulation assembly is provided. The insulation assembly includes an insulation substrate and a reinforced composite facer. The insulation substrate has a first insulation surface and a second insulation surface. The reinforced composite facer includes a carrier substrate having a first carrier surface and a second carrier surface, a scrim in contact with the first carrier surface, and a thermoplastic coating covering the scrim and contacting the first carrier surface. The thermoplastic coating adheres the scrim to the carrier substrate. The second carrier surface of the reinforced composite facer is attached to at least one of the first insulation surface or the second insulation surface.

[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a method of making a reinforced composite facer is provided. The method includes the steps of: a) directing a carrier substrate having a first carrier surface and a second carrier surface, a scrim, and a molten thermoplastic coating into a laminating device such that the scrim is positioned between the molten thermoplastic coating and the first carrier surface; and b) laminating together the molten thermoplastic coating, the scrim, and the carrier substrate to form the reinforced composite facer.

[0010] Other aspects, advantages, and features of the general inventive concepts will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The general inventive concepts, as well as embodiments and advantages thereof, are described below in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a reinforced composite facer of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an insulation assembly of the present disclosure; and

[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a method of making a reinforced composite facer of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] While the general inventive concepts are susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the general inventive concepts. Accordingly, the general inventive concepts are not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein.

[0016] The general inventive concepts relate to a reinforced composite facer, a method of making the reinforced composite facer, and an insulation assembly that includes the reinforced composite facer. The reinforced composite facer of the present disclosure generally includes a scrim that is positioned between a thermoplastic coating and a carrier substrate. The scrim provides structural reinforcement to the facer as well as distributes surface loads exerted on the facer. Insulation assemblies, such as insulation panels and coverboards utilized in commercial roofing systems, that include the reinforced composite facer of the present disclosure exhibit improved fastener pull-through strength as a result of the surface load distribution provided by the reinforced composite facer. As a result of the improved fastener pull-through strength, the insulation assemblies of the present disclosure can be installed using fewer fasteners (as compared to a conventional coated glass facer) while still meeting desired wind uplift performance. In addition, the method of making the reinforced composite facer of the present disclosure includes a combined coating/lamination step that simultaneously forms the thermoplastic coating and joins the scrim to the carrier substrate, thereby forming the reinforced composite facer. Such a method results in a reinforced composite substrate that is lightweight (e.g., 150 g/m ² to 250 g/m ² ) with acceptable performance characteristics (e.g., Gurley porosity, fastener pull-through strength), while reducing manufacturing costs, such as the costs associated with the separate steps of applying a traditional mineral -based coating to a substrate and applying a scrim to the substrate.

[0017] Referring now to FIG. 1, a reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure is shown. The facer 100 comprises a carrier substrate 10 having a first carrier surface 12 and a second carrier surface 14. The facer 100 also comprises a scrim 20 that is in contact with the first carrier surface 12 of the carrier substrate 10. A thermoplastic coating 30 covers the scrim 20 and contacts (e.g., penetrates into) the first carrier surface 12 of the carrier substrate 10 and, thus, adheres the scrim 20 to the carrier substrate 10.

[0018] The carrier substrate 10 can be structured in a variety of ways and can be formed of a variety of materials. Examples of substrates suitable for use as the carrier substrate 10 of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, a glass mat, a coated glass mat, an impregnated glass mat, a paper (e.g., Kraft paper), and a metal foil (e.g., an aluminum foil). The glass mats, coated glass mats, and impregnated glass mats can be nonwoven or woven.

[0019] In certain aspects, the carrier substrate 10 of the present disclosure comprises a nonwoven glass mat. The nonwoven glass mat generally includes a plurality of glass fibers and a binder composition that binds the glass fibers together. The glass fibers can be made from any type of glass. Exemplary glass fibers include, but are not limited to, A-type glass fibers, C-type glass fibers, E-type glass fibers, S-type glass fibers, ECR-type glass fibers (e.g, Advantex® glass fibers commercially available from Owens Coming of Toledo, Ohio), HiPer- tex® glass fibers (commercially available from 3B - The Fibreglass Company of Belgium), wool glass fibers, and combinations thereof. [0020] The glass fibers used to form the nonwoven glass mat may have a variety of fiber diameters. In certain aspects, the glass fibers used to form the nonwoven glass mat have an average fiber diameter of 6.5 microns to 20 microns. In certain aspects, the glass fibers used to form the nonwoven glass mat have an average fiber diameter of 10 microns to 18 microns. In certain aspects, the glass fibers used to form the nonwoven glass mat have an average fiber diameter of 13 microns to 16 microns. It is also contemplated that a blend of glass fibers having different fiber diameters, such as a blend of smaller diameter glass fibers (e.g., average fiber diameter of 6.5 microns to 11 microns) and larger diameter glass fibers (e.g., average fiber diameter of 13 microns to 16 microns), may be used to form the nonwoven glass mat. In certain aspects, the nonwoven glass mat comprises a blend of 65% by weight to 75% by weight, based on the total weight of glass fibers, of 13 micron diameter glass fibers and 25% by weight to 35% by weight, based on the total weight of glass fibers, of 11 micron diameter glass fibers.

[0021] The glass fibers used to form the nonwoven glass mat may also have a variety of fiber lengths. In certain aspects, the glass fibers used to form the nonwoven glass mat have an average fiber length of 6.35 mm to 50.8 mm. In certain aspects, the glass fibers used to form the nonwoven glass mat have an average fiber length of 12.7 mm to 38.1 mm. In certain aspects, the glass fibers used to form the nonwoven glass mat have an average fiber length of 19.05 mm to 25.4 mm. In certain aspects, the glass fibers used to form the nonwoven glass mat have an average fiber length of 15.24 mm to 22.86 mm. It is also contemplated that a blend of glass fibers having different fiber lengths, such as a blend of shorter glass fibers (e.g., average fiber length of 6.35 mm to 12.7 mm) and longer glass fibers (e.g., average fiber length of 15.24 mm to 31.75 mm), may be used to form the nonwoven glass mat.

[0022] As mentioned above, the nonwoven glass mat also includes a binder composition to bind the glass fibers together. Any conventional binder composition may be used to form the nonwoven glass mat. In certain aspects, the binder composition comprises a thermoset binder resin. The thermoset binder resin may comprise, for example, an acrylic material, a urea formaldehyde material, or a combination thereof. In certain aspects, the binder composition comprises from 85% by weight to 95% by weight urea formaldehyde material and from 5% by weight to 15% by weight acrylic material.

[0023] In certain aspects, the nonwoven glass mat comprises from 5% by weight to 35% by weight binder composition, based on the total weight of the nonwoven glass mat. In certain aspects, the nonwoven glass mat comprises from 10% by weight to 30% by weight binder composition, including from 15% to 30% by weight binder composition, and also including from 22% to 27% by weight binder composition, based on the total weight of the nonwoven glass mat. As one of skill in the art will appreciate, the amount of binder composition used to form the nonwoven glass mat may be determined by loss on ignition (LOI).

[0024] The carrier substrate 10 of the present disclosure may have a wide range of basis weights. In certain aspects, the carrier substrate 10 has a basis weight of 25 g/m ² to 150 g/m ² . In certain aspects, the carrier substrate 10 has a basis weight of 40 g/m ² to 125 g/m ² . In certain aspects, the carrier substrate 10 of the present disclosure has a basis weight of 50 g/m ² to 100 g/m ² , including a basis weight of 60 g/m ² to 90 g/m ² , and also including a basis weight of 65 g/m ² to 80 g/m ² .

[0025] The carrier substrate 10 of the present disclosure may also have a variety of thicknesses. In certain aspects, the carrier substrate 10 has a thickness of 0.25 mm to 4 mm. In certain aspects, the carrier substrate 10 has a thickness of 0.25 mm to 3 mm. In certain aspects, the carrier substrate 10 has a thickness of 0.25 mm to 2 mm. In certain aspects, the carrier substrate 10 has a thickness of 0.25 mm to 1.25 mm. In certain aspects, the carrier substrate 10 has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. In certain aspects, the carrier substrate 10 has a thickness of 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm. In certain aspects, the carrier substrate 10 has a thickness of 0.7 mm to 4 mm, including a thickness of 1 mm to 3 mm, a thickness of 1 mm to 2.25 mm, a thickness of 1.25 mm to 1.9 mm, and also including a thickness of 1.5 mm to 1.8 mm.

[0026] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure includes a scrim 20. The scrim 20 provides structural reinforcement to the facer 100 as well as distributes surface loads that may be exerted on the facer 100. The scrim 20 can be structured in a variety of ways and can be formed of a variety of materials. In general, the scrim 20 is an open mesh that includes yams that extend in a machine direction (z.e., warp yams) and yams that extend in a cross-machine direction (z.e., weft yams). Exemplary materials for forming the scrim 20 of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, a fiberglass (e.g., fiberglass yarns or rovings), a polymer (e.g., yams of polyester, yarns of aramid, yarns of polyolefin), or a combination thereof. In addition, the scrim 20 can be a laid scrim or a woven scrim. In a laid scrim, the yarns that form the laid scrim are bonded to one another using a chemical adhesive or binder such as, for example, a polyvinyl alcohol. On the other hand, in a woven scrim, the yams that form the woven scrim are woven or knitted together. [0027] In certain aspects, the scrim 20 of the present disclosure comprises a laid scrim comprising fiberglass (e.g., fiberglass yams or rovings). The fiberglass used to form the laid scrim can be formed of any of the previously mentioned glasses (e.g., A-glass, E-glass, S-glass, ECR-glass) and can have a linear density of 100 tex to 4,400 tex, including from 300 tex to 2,000 tex, and also including from 600 tex to 1,000 tex. The laid scrim may have a side-by- side construction, an over/under construction, or any other known laid scrim construction. In a side-by-side construction, as illustrated in FIG. 1, top warp yams 22 and bottom warp yarns 24 lie next to each other and the weft yams 26 are positioned between the top and bottom warp yams 22, 24 and set at a 90° angle with respect to the top and bottom warp yarns 22, 24. In an over/under construction, the top warp yarns and the bottom warp yarns are superposed and the weft yams are positioned between the top and bottom warp yarns and set at a 90° angle with respect to the top and bottom warp yams. In certain aspects, the laid scrim has a tensile strength of 1,000 N/50 mm to 1,500 N/50 mm in the machine direction and a tensile strength of 1,000 N/50 mm to 1,500 N/50 mm in the cross-machine direction. In certain aspects, the laid scrim has a tensile strength of 1,100 N/50 mm to 1,300 N/50 mm in the machine direction and a tensile strength of 1,100 N/50 mm to 1,300 N/50 mm in the cross-machine direction. In certain aspects, a tensile strength of the laid scrim in the machine direction is equal to a tensile strength of the laid scrim in the cross-machine direction.

[0028] The scrim 20 of the present disclosure can be constructed with a desired mesh density. The phrase “mesh density,” as used herein, refers to the number of yams per centimeter in both the machine direction (warp) and the cross-machine direction (weft). An example of the mesh density for the scrim 20 is 1.5 x 1.5, which means that the scrim 20 includes 1.5 warp yarns per centimeter of the scrim 20 and 1.5 weft yams per centimeter of the scrim 20. A scrim 20 having a low mesh density will have a more open mesh configuration, whereas a scrim 20 having a high mesh density will have a more closed mesh configuration. In certain aspects, the scrim 20 has a mesh density of 0.4 x 0.4 to 4 x 4. In certain aspects, the scrim 20 has a mesh density of 0.5 x 0.5 to 2 x 2, including a mesh density of 1.25 x 1.25 to 1.75 x 1.75. In certain aspects, the scrim 20 has a mesh density where the number of warp yams is different than the number of weft yams. For example, the scrim 20 can be constructed to have a mesh density of 1 x 1.5, which means that the scrim 20 comprises 1 warp yarn per centimeter and 1.5 weft yams per centimeter. [0029] The scrim 20 of the present disclosure may have a wide range of basis weights. In certain aspects, the scrim 20 has a basis weight of 50 g/m ² to 200 g/m ² . In certain aspects, the scrim 20 has a basis weight of 70 g/m ² to 175 g/m ² . In certain aspects, the scrim 20 of the present disclosure has a basis weight of 75 g/m ² to 150 g/m ² , including a basis weight of 80 g/m ² to 125 g/m ² , and also including a basis weight of 90 g/m ² to 100 g/m ² .

[0030] The scrim 20 of the present disclosure may also have a variety of thicknesses. In certain aspects, the scrim 20 has a thickness of 0.2 mm to 4 mm. In certain aspects, the scrim 20 has a thickness of 0.25 mm to 3 mm. In certain aspects, the scrim 20 has a thickness of 0.25 mm to 2 mm. In certain aspects, the scrim 20 has a thickness of 0.25 mm to 1 mm. In certain aspects, the scrim 20 has a thickness of 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm. In certain aspects, the scrim 20 has a thickness of 0.3 mm to 0.6 mm. In certain aspects, the scrim 20 has a thickness of 0.3 mm to 4 mm, including a thickness of 0.4 mm to 3 mm, a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm, a thickness of 0.75 mm to 2 mm, a thickness of 1 mm to 2 mm, and also including a thickness of 1.25 mm to 1.75 mm.

[0031] Still referring to FIG. 1, the reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure includes a thermoplastic coating 30. The thermoplastic coating 30 at least partially covers the scrim 20 and contacts the first carrier surface 12 of the carrier substrate 10. In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 entirely covers the scrim 20 and contacts the first carrier surface 12. The thermoplastic coating 30 is applied to the scrim 20 and the first carrier surface 12 of the carrier substrate 10 using an extrusion coating process, as described in further detail below.

[0032] As seen in FIG. 1, the thermoplastic coating 30 can extend partially into the carrier substrate 10 (/.< ., partially through a thickness of the carrier substrate 10 measured from the first carrier surface 12 to the second carrier surface 14), particularly when the carrier substrate 10 includes pores or voids therethrough (e.g., nonwoven glass mat, paper). The thermoplastic coating 30 bonds to the carrier substrate 10 as a result of being applied to the carrier substrate 10 in a molten, flowable form and subsequently solidifying. Thus, the thermoplastic coating 30, which covers the scrim 20, adheres the scrim 20 to the carrier substrate 10. In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 extends into the carrier substrate 10 in an amount of up to 75% of the thickness of the carrier substrate 10 (measured from the first carrier surface 12 to the second carrier surface 14). In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 extends into the carrier substrate 10 in an amount of up to 50% of the thickness of the carrier substrate 10. In certain embodiments, the thermoplastic coating 30 extends into the carrier substrate 10 in an amount of 1% to 50% of the thickness of the carrier substrate 10, including from 1% to 25% of the thickness of the carrier substrate 10, and also including from 5% to 20% of the thickness of the carrier substrate 10. In certain aspects, the second carrier surface 14 of the carrier substrate 10 is free of the thermoplastic coating 30. It should be appreciated that the thickness to which the thermoplastic coating 30 extends into the carrier substrate 10 may vary somewhat along a width and/or a length of the carrier substrate 10.

[0033] The thermoplastic coating 30 of the present disclosure can be formed of a variety of thermoplastic materials. Exemplary thermoplastic materials suitable for use in forming the thermoplastic coating 30 include, but are not limited to, a polyolefin (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene), a polyacrylate, a polyester (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate), a polyamide, a polyimide, a polycarbonate, a polyurethane, a fluoropolymer, a copolymer of an olefin and an a,P-unsaturated carbonyl (e.g., a,P-unsaturated carboxylic acid, a,P-unsaturated ester, a,P- unsaturated amide), a synthetic rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer, and combinations thereof. In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 comprises polypropylene, polyethylene, styrene block copolymer (e.g., styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-isoprene-styrene, styrene- ethylene/butylene-styrene, styrene-ethylene/propylene), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, ethyl ene-acry late copolymer, ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-butyl acrylate copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polycaprolactone, polyvinylidene fluoride, or combinations thereof. In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 comprises at least one of polypropylene or polyethylene. In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 comprises from 80% by weight to 99% by weight polypropylene and from 1% by weight to 20% by weight polyethylene. In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 comprises from 85% by weight to 95% by weight polypropylene and from 5% by weight to 15% by weight polyethylene. In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 comprises a polyamide. Suitable polyamides include, but are not limited to, poly(hexano-6- lactam) (Nylon 6) and poly(hexamethylene adipamide) (Nylon 66). In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

[0034] In addition to the thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic coating 30 of the present disclosure can optionally include one or more additives. Exemplary additives include, but are not limited to, fire retardants, dyes, pigments, UV stabilizers, anti-static agents, fillers, and so forth. Such additives are well known by those of ordinary skill in the art. Generally, any such additives used in the thermoplastic coating 30 will typically represent less than 25% by weight of the thermoplastic coating 30. Accordingly, the thermoplastic material will typically represent at least 75% by weight of the thermoplastic coating 30, including 80% by weight of the thermoplastic coating 30, 90% by weight of the thermoplastic coating 30, 95% by weight of the thermoplastic coating 30, and also including 100% by weight of the thermoplastic coating 30. In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 of the present disclosure includes a fire retardant additive. Suitable fire retardant additives for use in the thermoplastic coating 30 of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, metal oxides, expandable graphite, antimony oxides (e.g., Sb2Ch, Sb20s, Sb2C>4), aluminum hydroxide, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, molybdenum compounds (e.g., molybdenum tri oxide, ammonium octamolybdate, zinc molybdate), aluminum trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide, phosphorus containing compounds (e.g., phosphoric acid, organic phosphate esters, phosphates, halogenated phosphorus compounds, and inorganic phosphorus containing salts), boron containing compounds (e.g., zinc borate, ammonium fluoroborate, sodium borate and boric acid, barium metaborate), and halogen containing compounds (e.g., tetrabromophthalic anhydride, decabromodiphenyl ethane, chlorendic acid derivatives, decabromodiphenyl ether, tetrabromobisphenol A).

[0035] The thermoplastic coating 30 of the present disclosure may have a wide range of basis weights. In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 has a basis weight of 10 g/m ² to 60 g/m ² . In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 has a basis weight of 15 g/m ² to 50 g/m ² . In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 has a basis weight of 20 g/m ² to 45 g/m ² , including a basis weight of 20 g/m ² to 40 g/m ² , and also including a basis weight of 25 g/m ² to 35 g/m ² .

[0036] The thermoplastic coating 30 of the present disclosure may also have a variety of thicknesses. In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 (including any portion that extends into the carrier substrate 10) has a thickness of less than or equal to 75 microns. In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 (including any portion that extends into the carrier substrate 10) has a thickness of 5 microns to 75 microns, including a thickness of 10 microns to 70 microns, a thickness of 15 microns to 60 microns, a thickness of 15 microns to 50 microns, a thickness of 15 microns to 40 microns, a thickness of 15 microns to 30 microns, and also including a thickness of 15 micron to 25 microns. In certain aspects, the thermoplastic coating 30 (including any portion that extends into the carrier substrate 10) has a thickness of 25 microns to 75 microns, including a thickness of 30 microns to 75 microns, a thickness of 40 microns to 75 microns, a thickness of 50 microns to 75 microns, and also including a thickness of 60 microns to 75 microns.

[0037] The thermoplastic coating 30 can function to close off or seal one surface of the reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure. Thus, the reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure includes one surface that is generally impervious to air, water, or other fluids (e.g., a foamable mixture), which can prevent bleed-through of a fluid that is applied to the surface of the facer 100 opposite the thermoplastic coating 30 (/.< ., the second carrier surface 14). In addition, because of the sealing functionality provided by the thermoplastic coating 30, the carrier substrate 10 can be configured with a more open or porous construction and does not need to provide or contribute to the sealing functionality, which can further reduce the cost of the facer materials since the carrier substrate 10 would include less material.

[0038] The impervious nature of the reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure may be characterized by Gurley porosity. Gurley porosity is a measure of the resistance of a material to air permeability. It may be measured in accordance with TAPPI T-460 (Gurley method), or similar methods. This test measures the time required for 100 cubic centimeters of air to be pushed through an approximately 6.45 cm ² circular area of sample under a pressure of approximately 1.22 kPa. The result is expressed in seconds and is frequently referred to as Gurley seconds. As the permeability decreases (e.g., by including a higher basis weight thermoplastic coating 30), Gurley porosity increases, and as permeability increases (e.g., by including a lower basis weight thermoplastic coating 30), Gurley porosity decreases. Thus, the Gurley porosity of the reinforced composite facer 100 can be tuned by, for example, adjusting the basis weight of the thermoplastic coating 30 utilized to create the reinforce composite facer 100. The reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure generally has an average Gurley porosity of at least 2,000 seconds. In certain aspects, the reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure has an average Gurley porosity of 2,000 seconds to 16,000 seconds, including an average Gurley porosity of 2,250 seconds to 15,000 seconds, an average Gurley porosity of 2,500 seconds to 10,000 seconds, an average Gurley porosity of 2,750 seconds to 6,000 seconds, and also including an average Gurley porosity of 2,900 seconds to 3,500 seconds.

[0039] The impervious nature of the reinforced composite facer 100, particularly with respect to liquid water, can be characterized by hydrostatic head. The hydrostatic head is a measure of the resistance of a material to penetration by liquid water under a static pressure. In certain aspects, the reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure has a hydrostatic head of 25 mbar/min to 50 mbar/min, including a hydrostatic head of 30 mbar/min to 45 mbar/min, and also including a hydrostatic head of 30 mbar/min to 40 mbar/min.

[0040] In addition, the reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure is generally non-absorbent of water. The water absorptiveness of a material can be characterized by its Cobb value. Cobb values are determined in accordance with TAPPI T 441. The Cobb value represents the weight percent of the amount of water a material absorbs (i.e., amount of water absorbed divided by initial weight of the material). In general, higher Cobb values indicate that a material absorbs and retains water, whereas lower Cobb values indicate that a material resists penetration and retention of water. In certain aspects, the reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure has a Cobb value of 0 wt.% to 0.1 wt.%, including a Cobb value of 0.005 wt.% to 0.05 wt.%, including a Cobb value of 0.01 wt.% to 0.025 wt.%, and also including a Cobb value of 0.015 wt.% to 0.02 wt.%. In certain aspects, the reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure has a Cobb value of 0 wt.% to 0.05 wt.%, including a Cobb value of 0 wt.% to 0.025 wt.%, and also including a Cobb value of 0 wt.% to 0.02 wt.%.

[0041] The reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure also exhibits excellent physical properties, including tear strength, tensile strength, and fastener pull-through strength. In certain aspects, the reinforced composite facer 100 has a tear strength of 400 gram-force to 800 gram-force, including a tear strength of 500 gram-force to 800 gram-force, a tear strength of 550 gram-force to 750 gram-force, a tear strength of 625 gram-force to 700 gram-force, and also including a tear strength of 650 gram-force to 676 gram-force.

[0042] In certain aspects, the reinforced composite facer 100 has a tensile strength of 4,000 pounds per square inch (psi) to 7,000 psi. The tensile strength of the reinforced composite facer 100 is measured in accordance with ASTM D882 utilizing a sample that is 11 inches long and 2 inches wide.

[0043] In certain aspects, a fastener pull-through strength of the reinforced composite facer 100 is from 350 Ibf to 600 Ibf, including a fastener pull-through strength of 400 Ibf to 600 Ibf, a fastener pull-through strength of 450 Ibf to 550 Ibf, and also including a fastener pull-through strength of 475 Ibf to 525 Ibf, when the second carrier surface 14 of the reinforced composite facer 100 is interfaced with a polyisocyanurate foam substrate. It is believed that the scrim 20 improves the fastener pull-through strength of the reinforced composite facer 100 by distributing the surface load exerted on the reinforced composite facer 100. The fastener pull- through strength values achieved by the reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure makes it possible to achieve a desired wind uplift performance e.g., FM 1-90) using less fasteners. For example, a reduction in the total number of fasteners required to effectively install a cover board including the facer 100 of at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, or at least 50% can be achieved.

[0044] The reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure may have a wide range of basis weights. In certain aspects, the reinforced composite facer 100 has a basis weight of 85 g/m ² to 410 g/m ² . In certain aspects, the reinforced composite facer 100 has a basis weight of 100 g/m ² to 350 g/m ² . In certain aspects, the reinforced composite facer 100 has a basis weight of 150 g/m ² to 300 g/m ² , including a basis weight of 175 g/m ² to 275 g/m ² , a basis weight of 200 g/m ² to 225 g/m ² , and also including a basis weight of 210 g/m ² to 220 g/m ² . In general, the basis weight of the reinforced composite facer 100 can be considerably lower than conventional coated glass facers, which typically have basis weights in the range of 420 g/m ² to 470 g/m ² .

[0045] Because of a lower basis weight, shipping and transportation costs associated with the reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure can be reduced. In general, facer materials are shipped and transported in rolls. By having a lower basis weight, a longer length of the reinforced composite facer 100 can be provided per roll. Thus, less rolls of the reinforced composite facer 100 are required to provide a desired or required amount (e.g., length) of facer 100 material, thereby reducing shipping and transportation costs.

[0046] The reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure may also have a variety of thicknesses. In certain aspects, the reinforced composite facer 100 has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 6 mm. In certain aspects, the reinforced composited facer 100 has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, including a thickness of 0.5 mm to 4 mm, a thickness of 0.5 mm to 3 mm, a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm, a thickness of 0.75 mm to 1.75 mm, a thickness of 0.9 mm to 1.5 mm, and also including a thickness of 1 mm to 1.25 mm.

[0047] Referring now to FIG. 2, an insulation assembly 200 of the present disclosure is shown. The insulation assembly 200 comprises an insulation substrate 210 having a first insulation surface 212 and a second insulation surface 214. The insulation assembly 200 also comprises a reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure attached to the insulation substrate 210. The reinforced composite facer 100 used in the insulation assembly 200 may have any of the features or properties previously described herein. The same reference numerals used in FIG. 1 to describe the features and components of the reinforced composite facer 100 are also used in FIG. 2 and, thus, a detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0048] The second carrier surface 14 of the reinforced composite facer 100 can be attached to at least one of the first insulation surface 212 or the second insulation surface 214. As seen in FIG. 2, the second carrier surface 14 of the reinforced composite facer 100 is attached to the first insulation surface 212 of the insulation substrate 210 and a second facer 220 is attached to the second insulation surface 214 of the insulation substrate 210. The second facer 220 can comprise any suitable type of facer material including, but not limited to, a glass mat, a coated glass mat, an impregnated glass mat, a paper, a metal foil (e.g., aluminum foil), or a reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure.

[0049] The insulation substrate 210 can be formed of a variety of materials. In certain aspects, the insulation substrate 210 comprises at least one of a polyisocyanurate foam, a polyurethane foam, a polystyrene foam, a mineral wool, or a gypsum. In addition, the insulation substrate 210 can have a wide range of thicknesses. In certain aspects, the insulation substrate 210 has a thickness of 0.5 cm to 15.25 cm (as measured from the first insulation surface 212 to the second insulation surface 214), including a thickness of 0.762 cm to 15.25 cm, a thickness of 1.27 cm to 15.25 cm, athickness of 2.54 cm to 15.25 cm, athickness of 3.81 cm to 15.25 cm, athickness of 5.08 cm to 15.25 cm, a thickness of 7.62 cm to 15.25 cm, a thickness of 10.16 cm to 15.25 cm, and also including a thickness of 12.7 cm to 15.25 cm. In certain aspects, the insulation substrate 210 has a thickness of 0.5 cm to 13.97 cm (as measured from the first insulation surface 212 to the second insulation surface 214), including a thickness of 0.5 cm to 15.25 cm, a thickness of 0.5 cm to 12.7 cm, a thickness of 0.5 cm to 11.43 cm, a thickness of 0.5 cm to 10.16 cm, a thickness of 0.5 cm to 8.89 cm, a thickness of 0.5 cm to 7.62 cm, a thickness of 0.75 cm to 6.35 cm, a thickness of 0.75 cm to 5.08 cm, a thickness of 0.75 cm to 3.81 cm, and also including a thickness of 1 cm to 2.54 cm.

[0050] In certain aspects, the insulation substrate 210 comprises a polyisocyanurate foam and has a thickness of 0.5 cm to 15.25 cm. In certain aspects, the insulation substrate 210 comprises a polyisocyanurate foam and has a thickness of 0.5 cm to 2.54 cm. In certain aspects, the insulation substrate 210 comprises a polyisocyanurate foam and has a thickness of 1.27 cm to 11.5 cm, including a thickness of 1.27 cm to 8.89 cm, a thickness of 1.27 cm to 7.62 cm, a thickness of 1.27 cm to 6.35 cm, a thickness of 1.27 cm to 5.08 cm, a thickness of 1.27 cm to 3.81 cm, and also including a thickness of 1.27 cm to 2.54 cm.

[0051] The insulation assembly 200 can be manufactured using conventional processes where a facer material is attached to an insulation substrate. For example, in a conventional process of forming a faced polyisocyanurate panel, the chemicals (e.g., an isocyanate, a polyol, and a blowing agent) are mixed at a mixing head and applied to a first facer material. At this point, the chemical reaction begins, and a second facer material is brought into contact with the foam mixture as it enters a laminator, which is used to control the thickness and other properties of the finished polyisocyanurate panel.

[0052] In certain aspects, when a foam material (e.g., polyisocyanurate) is used to form the insulation substrate 210 and a glass mat (e.g., nonwoven glass mat) is used to form the carrier substrate 10 of the reinforced composite facer 100, the foam material can penetrate the glass mat and adhere to or otherwise engage with the scrim 20. The engagement or adhesion between the insulation substrate 210 material and the scrim 20 of the reinforced composite facer 100 can further enhance the insulation assembly properties (e.g., fastener pull-through strength). The extent of the penetration of the foam material through the glass mat and, thus, the engagement or adhesion between the insulation substrate 210 material and the scrim 20 of the reinforced composite facer 100 can be tuned by adjusting one or more parameters associated with the glass mat including, but not limited to, basis weight, Frazier air permeability, fiber diameter, and repellency. For example, a lower basis weight, more permeable glass mat will allow more foam penetration than a higher basis weight, less permeable glass mat.

[0053] The insulation assembly 200 can be configured to have different lengths, widths, and heights (thicknesses) depending on a desired end use of the insulation assembly 200. In certain aspects, the insulation assembly 200 can have a length of 1.22 meters to 2.44 meters, a width of 0.61 meters to 1.524 meters, and a height of 1.27 cm to 12.7 cm. In certain aspects, the height of the insulation assembly 200 can vary along a length or a width of the insulation assembly 200, so as to provide an insulation assembly 200 having a slope.

[0054] In certain aspects, the insulation assembly 200 of the present disclosure can be used as an insulation panel, a cover board, or both an insulation panel and a cover board in a commercial or low-slope roofing system. In certain aspects, the insulation assembly 200 has a fastener pull-through strength of 350 Ibf to 600 Ibf, including a fastener pull-through strength of 400 Ibf to 600 Ibf, a fastener pull-through strength of 450 Ibf to 550 Ibf, and also including a fastener pull-through strength of 475 Ibf to 525 Ibf. In contrast, a conventional polyisocyanurate cover board that includes a coated glass facer generally has a fastener pull- through strength of 100 Ibf to 160 Ibf. The fastener pull-through strength of the insulation assembly 200 can be determined by modified ASTMD1761. The fastener pull-through strength of the insulation assembly 200 of the present disclosure permits the insulation assembly 200 to be installed with fewer fasteners as compared to an otherwise identical insulation assembly that includes a conventional coated glass facer instead of a reinforced composite facer 100 according to the present disclosure. For example, a 1.22 meters x 2.44 meters insulation assembly 200 of the present disclosure can be secured to a roof deck using eight (8) fasteners to achieve a wind uplift performance (e.g., FM 1-90), whereas an otherwise identical 1.22 meters x 2.44 meters insulation assembly that includes a conventional coated glass facer instead of the reinforced composite facer 100 requires sixteen (16) fasteners for securing the insulation assembly to the roof deck to achieve the same wind uplift performance.

[0055] Thus, the insulation assembly 200 of the present disclosure when used as a component of a commercial or low-slope roofing system can reduce the total number of fasteners required to install the roofing system. As a result, less labor is required for roof installers to install the insulation assembly 200 and less materials (i.e., fasteners) are required to complete the installation. By reducing the labor time and the amount of required materials, the costs associated with installing the roofing system can also be reduced.

[0056] Referring now to FIG. 3, a method of making a reinforced composite facer 100 of the present disclosure is shown schematically. The same reference numerals used in FIG. 1 to describe the features and components of the reinforced composite facer 100 are also used in FIG. 3 and, thus, a detailed description thereof will not be repeated. As seen in FIG. 3, a carrier substrate 10 having a first carrier surface 12 and a second carrier surface 14 and a scrim 20 are unwound from respective supply rolls 11, 21 and directed into a laminating device 50. In addition, a molten thermoplastic coating 30 is directed into the laminating device 50 such that the scrim 20 is positioned between the molten thermoplastic coating 30 and the first carrier surface 12 of the carrier substrate 10. The molten thermoplastic coating 30, the scrim 20, and the carrier substrate 10 are laminated together in the laminating device 50 to form the reinforced composite facer 100. The method of the present disclosure can be operated in a continuous manner.

[0057] In certain aspects, the molten thermoplastic coating 30 is formed by heating and mixing a thermoplastic material in an extruder 31 and extruding a molten thermoplastic from a die 32 (e.g., a slot die) to form the molten thermoplastic coating 30. In certain aspects, the laminating device 50 comprises a nip defined by a pair of counter-rotating rolls 51, 52. As seen in FIG. 3, the molten thermoplastic coating 30 is brought directly into contact with the scrim 20 and the carrier substrate 10, and the molten thermoplastic in pressed into intimate engagement with the scrim 20 and the carrier substrate 10 by directing the materials through the nip defined by the pair of counter-rotating rolls 51, 52. In certain aspects of the method of the present disclosure, at least one of the rolls 51, 52 is chilled (e.g., water chilled, thermoelectric chilled) such that that molten thermoplastic cools and solidifies to form the thermoplastic coating that adheres the scrim 20 to the first carrier surface 12 of the carrier substrate 10, thereby forming the reinforced composite facer 100. The finished reinforced composite facer 100 can be collected by winding the facer 100 onto a collection roll (not shown).

[0058] As can be appreciated by FIG. 3, the method of the present disclosure provides a reinforced composite facer 100 by using a combined coating/lamination step that simultaneously forms the thermoplastic coating 30 and joins the scrim 20 to the carrier substrate 10. Accordingly, the method of the present disclosure provides a one-step process of forming a reinforced composite facer 100 as opposed to other processes that may include one step for adhering a scrim to one side of a substrate and a second step for applying a coating to the opposite side of the substrate. Thus, it can be appreciated that the method of the present disclosure can realize significant cost savings over methods that utilize a process requiring separate steps for adhering the scrim to the substrate and applying the coating to the substrate.

[0059] All references to singular characteristics or limitations of the present disclosure shall include the corresponding plural characteristic or limitation, and vice versa, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which the reference is made.

[0060] All combinations of method or process steps as used herein can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which the referenced combination is made. [0061] All ranges and parameters, including but not limited to percentages, parts, and ratios, disclosed herein are understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges assumed and subsumed therein, and every number between the endpoints. For example, a stated range of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more (e.g., 1 to 6.1), and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 2.3 to 9.4, 3 to 8, 4 to 7), and finally to each number 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 contained within the range.

[0062] The reinforced composite facers of the present disclosure can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations of the disclosure as described herein, as well as any additional or optional components or limitations described herein or otherwise useful in facer applications.

[0063] To the extent that the terms “include,” “includes,” or “including” are used in the specification or the claims, they are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B), it is intended to mean “A or B or both A and B .” When the Applicant intends to indicate “only A or B but not both,” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. In the present disclosure, the words “a” or “an” are to be taken to include both the singular and the plural. Conversely, any reference to plural items shall, where appropriate, include the singular.

[0064] In some embodiments, it may be possible to utilize the various inventive concepts in combination with one another. Additionally, any particular element recited as relating to a particularly disclosed embodiment should be interpreted as available for use with all disclosed embodiments, unless incorporation of the particular element would be contradictory to the express terms of the embodiment. Additional advantages and modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the disclosure, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details presented therein, the representative apparatus, or the illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concepts. [0065] The scope of the general inventive concepts presented herein are not intended to be limited to the particular exemplary embodiments shown and described herein. From the disclosure given, those skilled in the art will not only understand the general inventive concepts and their attendant advantages, but will also find apparent various changes and modifications to the devices, systems, and methods disclosed. It is sought, therefore, to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the general inventive concepts, as described and/or claimed herein, and any equivalents thereof.