Abstract: Fully cured thermoset ethylene-propylene rubber sheets having integral thermoplastic adhesive strips molded along the lateral edges are produced using a manufacturing method where the strips are applied prior to vulcanization of the rubber sheeting. The factory applied adhesive strip is non-tacky and dry but is activated by heat to securely bond the ethylene-propylene rubber sheets together in an overlap splicing procedure. A method of using the integral adhesive rubber sheeting for single-ply rubber roofing membrane or pond liners is also disclosed. Instantaneous attainment of maximum seam strength, water tightness and consistency of the seams are advantages over conventional solvent-based adhesive methods.

Abstract: There is provided a method of producing rubber sheeting having a top surface and a bottom surface wherein an area of at least one of said surfaces is protected against surface contamination, comprised of:(a) applying to said area of uncured rubber sheeting a releasable strip of material prior to the uncured rubber sheeting being exposed to surface contamination, and(b) curing said uncured rubber sheeting with the releasable strip attached. There is also provided a rubber sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface wherein an area of at least one of said surfaces has been protected against surface contamination by the method above.