The development history of waterproofing membranes can be divided into the following main stages:
Ancient waterproofing materials: In primitive society, humans used natural caves or cliffs as shelter. This way of taking advantage of the situation reflected the early concept of waterproofing. With the advancement of productivity, people began to use branches, bark, and leaves to build stilt houses, and used thatch as roofing materials, although the waterproof effect of this material was limited.
Modern waterproofing materials: The development of modern waterproofing materials began with the application of asphalt. The use of asphalt has gone through the stages of natural asphalt, petroleum asphalt, and polymer-modified asphalt. The early waterproofing membranes were mainly asphalt felt, which was introduced to China in the 1920s. After the founding of New China, my country established a number of felt factories. In 1952, the national production of felt reached 15 million square meters.
Modern waterproofing materials: Since the 1980s, with the development of economic construction and the rapid rise of the construction industry, the requirements for waterproofing materials have been further improved. my country has developed synthetic polymer waterproofing membranes such as EPDM rubber, chlorinated polyethylene-rubber blends, and polyvinyl chloride, and has independently developed SBS and APP modified asphalt waterproofing membranes. These materials have improved high and low temperature performance and durability by adding polymer modifiers.
Diversified development of modern waterproofing membranes: Modern waterproofing membranes are not only innovative in materials, but also continuously expanding in functions. For example, polymer modified asphalt waterproofing membranes have been widely used in the era of high-speed rail construction, and ultra-low temperature waterproofing membranes, root penetration-resistant waterproofing membranes, and modified asphalt waterproofing membranes for passive ultra-low energy consumption buildings have been developed to meet different needs. In addition, the rise of self-adhesive modified asphalt waterproofing membranes has gradually become the mainstream due to its characteristics of normal temperature construction, fast construction speed, and compliance with environmental protection requirements.
