International Adhesive and Grout Standards ISO 13007/EN12004/EN13888

EN 12004 

This European Standard applies to the three
types of ceramic tile adhesives listed below: cementitious adhesives for
internal and exterior tile installations, dispersion and reaction resin
adhesives for internal tile installations on walls and floors, and elastomeric
adhesives for internal tile installations on walls and floors.

Adhesives for
tiles — classification and designation

•     
C  –  
Cementitious adhesive
•     
D  –  
Dispersion adhesive
•     
R  –  
Reaction resin adhesive
–    
1      normal adhesive
–    
2      Improved adhesive
–    
F      fast setting cementitious adhesive
–    
A      accelerated drying dispersion adhesive
–    
T      Slip resistant adhesive
–    
E      adhesive with extended open time
–    
S1    deformable adhesive
–    
S2    highly deformable adhesive
–    
P      adhesive with adhesion to exterior glue
plywood

Classification	Property	Requirement
C1 – Normal cementitious adhesives (Fundamental characteristics)	Tensile adhesion strength	> 0.5 N/mm2
	Tensile adhesion strength after water immersion	> 0.5 N/mm2
	Tensile adhesion strength after heat aging	> 0.5 N/mm2
	Tensile adhesion strength after freeze -thaw cycle	> 0.5 N/mm2
	Open time: tensile adhesion strength	> 0.5 N/mm2 After not less than 20 min
C2 – Improved cementitious adhesives (Additional characteristics)	Tensile adhesion strength	> 1.0 N/mm2
	Tensile adhesion strength after water immersion	> 1.0 N/mm2
	Tensile adhesion strength after heat aging	> 1.0 N/mm2
	Tensile adhesion strength after freeze -thaw cycle	> 1.0 N/mm2

Special Characteristics	Property	Requirement
T – Slip Resistance	Slip	< 0.5 mm
F –Fast setting adhesive	Tensile adhesion strength	> 0.5 N/mm2 after no more than 6h
	Open time : tensile adhesion strength	> 0.5 N/mm2 after not less than 10 min.
	All other requirements at least equal to or better than those listed for C1 adhesive as in table	See Table 2 under C1 Adhesives
S – Transverse Deformation	Deformable adhesive – S1	> 2.5mm, < 5mm
	Highly deformable adhesive – S2	> 5 mm
E – Extended open time	Extended open time : Tensile Adhesion Strength	> 0.5 N/mm2 after not less than 30 min.
P – Exterior Glue Plywood Adhesion (Optional Substrates)	Normal Exterior Glue Plywood Adhesion (P1)	> 0.5 N/mm2
	Improved Exterior Glue Plywood Adhesion (P2)	> 1 N/mm2

How to check the Tensile Adhesion strength 

• Test conditions :-

           (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % relative humidity

Test materials :-

• Condition all test materials to be tested for
  at least 24 h under standard conditions.
• Type of tile: type V1: dry pressed ceramic
  tile  with a water absorption ≤ 0,5 % by
  mass, with facial dimensions of (50 ± 1) mm × (50 ± 1) mm.

Apparatus

• A mass capable of exerting a force of (20 ±
  0,05) N, with a cross sectional area of less than 50 mm × 50 mm.
• Square metallic plates, with dimensions of (50
  ± 1) mm × (50 ± 1) mm and a minimum thickness of 10 mm, with a suitable fitting
  for connection to the test machine.
• A test machine for direct pull tensile force
  test and with suitable capacity and sensitivity for the test. The machine shall
  be capable of applying the load to the pull-head plate at the rate of (250 ±
  50) N/s through a suitable fitting that does not exert any bending force.
• An air-circulating oven capable of controlling
  the temperature to within ± 3 °C.
• A notched trowel having 6 mm × 6 mm notches at
  12 mm centers.

Mixing of the adhesive

• Pour the liquid into the pan. scatter the dry
  powder over the liquid; mix for 30 s; take out the mixing paddle; scrape down
  the paddle and pan within 1 min; replace the paddle and mix for 1 min.

Tensile Adhesion strength

• Prepare the test units in accordance with
  previous slide
• After 27 days storage under standard conditions
  bond the pull-head plates to the tiles with a suitably high strength adhesive
  (e.g. epoxide).
• After a further 24 h storage under standard
  conditions determine the tensile adhesion strength of the adhesive by applying
  a force at a constant rate of (250 + 50) N/s.
• If fast-setting properties of adhesives are to
  be tested, also determine the tensile adhesion strength 6 h after bonding,
  under standard conditions.

EN 13888

Ceramic tile grouts for interior and outdoor tile installations on walls and floors are covered by this European Standard. 

This standard defines the language for ceramic tile grouts, including goods, working techniques, application features, and so on. 

The performance criteria for cementitious and reaction resin grouts for ceramic tiles are specified in this European Standard. 

This European Standard contains no design or installation requirements or guidelines for ceramic tiles. 

NOTE Ceramic tile grouts can also be used for other types of tiles (natural and agglomerated stones, for example), as long as they do not harm the materials. 

Classification and designation of the Grouts 

Ceramic tile grouts are classified into two types: 

• CG :- Cementitious grout 
• RG :- Reaction resin grout 

These classes are identified by the following references: 

• Normal grout better grout 
• Improved grout (meets the requirements for additional characteristics, indicated as:
  W reduced water absorption or A high abrasion resistance)