There are complex interactions between single components and materials in a building. Most of these components depend on each other and affect the performance of the whole assembly. One of these interactions concern the processing of vapour barriers for insulation. Here, adhesive tapes offer many advantages. Because of their flexibility, their economical aspects and user friendliness the innovative bonding technology captures the building industry also.

Environmental aspects become more and more important. For example, saving energy is one of the main necessities today and the building industry focuses this aspect too. If a building should save energy, it is a must using insulating materials and vapour barriers. They not only avoid the loss of heat but also limit diffusion of moisture from inside the building into the roof or window assembly. The main function of insulation is the assembling of an airtight building-shell.

Lohmann developed a product range of adhesive tapes for the sealing of the overlapping vapour barriers. They not only avoid the leakage of warm compartment air through the overlap but also meet the requirements of the Energy Saving Regulation (EnEv).

Duplocoll2110, 2111 and 2111 SI (split) offer many advantages. With its high performance system the EnEv conform Duplocoll vapour barrier tapes are stuck together within the lap range effectively, time-saving and hermetically. The processing is very easy – whether it deals with short pieces or long courses.

Due to the adhesive system this product is resistant to aging which is the one of the decisive factors in the building industry. Concerning the adhesion on controlled substrates the durability is displayed for 17 years. Another feature is the adhesive system. It consists of a pure acrylic system, is resin-free and has a very high adhesion (adhesive coat weight of 220g/m2). This resin-freeness is very important relating to the permanent bonding.

Due to the fact that resins will become brittle by-and-by the adhesive connection will break and whole assembly will be damaged. Even bonding at low temperatures (-10°C) is possible without problems which saves the user time and costs.

A special version of this range is Duplocoll2111 and 2111SI (split) for the sealing of intrusions in ceilings and walls, of chimneys, liners, breather tubes, pipes, etc.

The flexible and highly adjustable film carrier allows safe absorption of building movements. The split paper liner system of Duplocoll2111SI offers an easy installation in problematic locations. Therefore it is suitable for the bonding of vapour barrier films into corners and for the connection to window frames. The product range is moreover environmentally friendly in conformance with the German TÜV-institute (TOXPROOF test).

A special kind of bonding is necessary when connecting the vapour barrier films to the masonry. Usually a cartridge glue is used for this application. But once the glue leaves the cartridge, it needs a long time to dry and to reach its final cohesiveness. This procedure depends even on the season.

The patented vapour barrier sealing cords Duplocoll144 and 145DsDs from Lohmann are able to replace the conventional cartridge glue. They feature the following properties like an adherence even to surfaces with residual moisture or an immediate bonding power. Furthermore, these products are dimensional stable and also highly adjustable. There is actually no cartridge glue that is able to compete with this kind of advantages.

Christina Barg-Becker is with Lohmann GmbH & Co.KG, Neuwied, Germany. www.lohmann-tapes.com