TRINITY UNIVERSITY OF ASIA HIGH SCHOOL

In partial fulfilment of the requirements in

SCIENCE 2

STYROFOAM + CONTACT CEMENT ROOF SEALANT

Submitted by: Mia Shannon B. Abayon Jehiel Karsten H. Ong Japheth de Guzman Clarice Bangcoleng

Date: March 2012

Submitted to: Mr. Wenceslao Cama

Chapter I Introduction

Background of the study Nowadays, rain is considered a big deal in our lives. If we hear news that there is a major weather disturbance or just a monsoon rain is coming, we somehow quickly turn to panic mode. And who can blame us? A drizzle, slight rain or heavy rain can cause people to experience different levels of inconvenience or worst tragedy. Rain can cause the metro a great deal of traffic because of flooding. It can cause water to rise quickly that it renders damage to our houses way up to the rooftop. It can even cause us to worry no end or we lose sleep because when rain comes, water comes trickling down on us and damages our furniture or equipment inside the house. Whats to blame? It is that hole on the roof that we always forget to seal because we wait for a special sunny day or that hole that seems to appear during rainy days and seems to never get sealed for whatever reason. In order to solve this problem, our group investigated about styrofoam as a substitute for commercial sealant. We came up with the statement of the problem because of the observation that many house owners who belong to the economic middle and lower class encounter the perennial problem of holes on the roof. Our group felt the need to address this issue because it is important that the roofs over our heads are free from holes and we are kept dry inside our houses. We sincerely believe that many people will be informed and will benefit from this study. One motivation why we chose to do a study on this alternative sealant is because it is cheap. Instead of buying expensive commercial sealant, people can make use of styrofoam as an economical alternative. We also believe that this is also environment friendly because the material styrofoam, which can be

considered a pollutant, is recycled and put into good use. The procedure to make the sealant will involve the use of contact cement to dissolve the styrofoam.

Statement of the problem

This project will try to determine the most suitable concentration to make a durable sealant. Specifically this study will answer the following question:

What is the best consistency for Styrofoam-contact cement roof sealant?

Hypothesis To be answered later

Significance of the study Homeowners, small to medium scale construction companies and their workers will benefit from

this study.The significance of this study is highlighted by the practical and economical use of the

alternative sealant and the friendly effect to the environment. This study can positively impact

the financial capacity of people by using this less expensive and more effective alternative

sealant. Instead of buying the expensive commercial sealant, people can opt to make the sealant

and this solves the problem on their roofs without shelling out a lot of cash. This study can also

help our community with the problem of pollution. By choosing to recycle and not throwing the

styrofoam just anywhere especially in our waterways, we contribute to less pollution.

Scope and limitations

This study is limited in using the styrofoam because only styrofoam is capable of melting when Contact cement is added. We cannot just use any plastic material to replace styrofoam because not all plastic materials are capable of melting when mixed with kerosene. We will also not discuss the chemicals of Styrofoam and contact cement. We will not compare the difference of using commercial sealant and the Styrofoam-contact cement sealant.

Review or related literature

The word Styrofoam is usually used as a generic term for expanded polystyrene foam, like disposable coffee cups, disposable coolers, packing materials, etc. This type of polystyrene is largely not bio-degradable and can remain intact for thousands of years. The Styrofoam used for crafts is sort of soluble in organic solvents. http://www.chacha.com/topic/styrofoam

Styrofoam is a trademark name for polystyrene thermal insulation material, manufactured by Dow Chemical Company.

In the early 1940s, Dow invented a process for extruding polystyrene to achieve a closed cell foam that resists moisture. In recognition of its insulating properties, buoyancy and "unsinkability," it was originally adopted in 1942 by the Coast Guard for use in a six-man life raft. Styrofoam can be used for building materials including insulated sheathing, pipe insulation and floral and craft products. Styrofoam insulation has been used in many notable buildings and facilities in North America. The Dow product can be identified by its distinctive blue color. Styrofoam can be used underneath roads and other structures to prevent soil disturbances due to seasonal freeze-thaw cycles. The word styrofoam is sometimes misused by the general public in the United States as a generic term to indicate polystyrene foam, such as coffee cups, cooler or packaging material are typically white in color and are made of expanded polystyrene beads. The Dow Chemical Company works to educate the public that styrofoam is a registered trademark rather than a generic term for polystyrene foam. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrofoam

Roof Sealant To start with the definition of a sealant, it is known to be a viscous material which turns solid after application and the purpose being, prevention from dust, smoke, gas, air, water and other unwanted materials. There are many types of sealants which are used to protect different kinds of surfaces like drywalls and roofs from external damages. In this article we are going to read more about roof sealants and how they are used to protect the roofing system as well as the house from external damages done by weather, drainage, etc. Since there are different types of roofs, made from various materials, the respective sealants are also varied. A roof sealant is also used for flat and sloping roofs, so that they too are protected for years. The forms in which these sealants are found can be rubber, tar, paint, concrete, or any other durable covering material that can withstand external pressure Roof sealant is a very important for protecting the roof and the house from extreme weather conditions Roof Sealant for Homes Stationary homes have both flat and sloping roofs and thus, they can be applied with the respective roof sealants. Usually, when a house is built, the contractors are the ones, who install these sealants as a part of home improvement, but you too can apply it on your own whenever required. The most predominant roof sealant available in the market are roof sealant paints or other liquids, as they are easy to apply, dry faster and can be used abundantly. For better results reapplications are the best options and so using a liquid could be very convenient. We have some options for roof sealants which can be used for these homes.

Concrete Roof Sealant Concrete is a mixture of materials which are durable and can protect any surface from any physical condition. To help protect homes, which have flat roofs, concrete sealants are a great choice. They protect the roof from water leaks and excess rainwater seepage, etc., and thus can be used efficiently as roof sealant for leaks. However, the concrete sealants also require a waterproof coating that prevents the materials present in it from dissolving due to leaks and water. Clear Roof Sealant Another great option for roof sealants in homes are clear sealants like polyurethane, acrylic urethane, silicone, butyl, lacquers, and varnishes, which help protect many types of roofs. These can be for both flat and sloping roofs. These are also available in the liquid form and due to the ease of application, are the most widely used sealants. They are all waterproof and can protect, tiles, metal, masonry and grout work which is often present in homes. Roof Sealant for Mobile Homes In case of mobile homes, or recreational vehicles, it is extremely important to apply roof sealants, so as to protect the vehicle from weather stress (excess heat, wind and rain). Like the stationary homes, the manufacturers of these caravans too apply the sealant, but for extra protection it is advised that you can use one more coat, yourself. Because, these roofs are made from metal and fiber, they are sensitive and can be damaged easily by water and heat. Therefore, you can find a roof sealant in forms like rubber, paint and other water resistant adhesives. Take a look at which of the roof sealant for RV would you choose. Rubber Roof Sealant One of the most popular roof sealants for RV are made from liquid rubber. These sealants have an instructional manual provided with them, so that application is easy. Liquid rubber sealants are very useful for mobile homes, because rubber is such a material that can keep any type of damage away from the roof. They come in liquid forms which later solidify and then protect the roof very efficiently. Paint Roof Sealant When we are talking about mobile homes, there are many reasons of damage like the hot run, dust, direct contact with water drops, harsh winds, etc. Therefore, one of the cheapest choices of roof sealants are paint based sealants. White paint is the best roof sealant for these vans, as there is no attraction of heat dust particles and thus, the roof doesn't crack. Waterproof paints are preferred than normal automobile paints.

With these varieties of a roof sealant, hope you have found your choice of sealants. It is very important to protect your homes with roof sealants, for a better shelf life and a longer durability. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/roof-sealant.html

Chapter II Experimentation Materials

Length Styrofoam A Styrofoam B Styrofoam C Styrofoam D Styrofoam E 5 inches 3 inches 2 inches 1 inch .5 inch

Width 3.6 inches 3.6 inches 3.6 inches 3.6 inches 3.6 inches

Height/Thickness .14 inches .14 inches .14 inches .14 inches .14 inches

60 ml Rugby Excel Grand Prix Contact Cement 5 Calibrated Container Bamboo Stick 5 small plastic bottles, same size 5 big plastic bottles, same size 250 ml tap water

Methodology