Adhesion • Strength
Safety • Economy
Water Resistance

Draft Standard AS4992 & ISO 13007

Draft AS4992 international ceramic tile adhesive standard

ISO 13007 is essentially a combination of European, British and American ceramic tile adhesive Standards. The principal logic underlying the need for an International Standard is the reality that adhesive manufacturers do business globally. It is therefore desirable and sensible that adhesive manufacturers the world over adopt the same terminology and be subject to the same compliance requirements.

Understanding what a Draft Standard AS 4992 Performance Classification means
The Standard requires that an adhesive pass certain minimum performance tests before it may be accredited with a Performance Classification. The Performance Classification is expressed as letters of the alphabet and numbers. The Performance Classification will begin with a C, a D or an R. These letters indicate the type of adhesive it is. Following the C, D or R will be other letters and numbers that indicate the performance tests the adhesive has passed.

Adhesive type symbols
C		means it is a cementitious adhesive containing cement, aggregates and organic additives. The adhesive needs to be mixed with water or a liquid admixture just before use.
D		means it is a dispersion adhesive. Dispersion means it is a pre-mixed, ready to use adhesive made from water based polymer with organic additives and mineral fillers.
R		means it is a reaction resin adhesive containing synthetic resin, mineral fillers and organic additives. The adhesive cures by chemical reaction.
Adhesive performance symbols
1		means the adhesive has passed the minimum pass level tests that are mandatory for that adhesive type.
2		means the adhesive has passed the same tests as 1 and/or other applicable tests, but at higher pass levels.
F		means the adhesive has met the requirements for a fast setting adhesive.
T		means the adhesive has met the requirements for a slip resistant adhesive.
E		means the adhesive has met the requirements for extended open time.
S1		means the adhesive has met the requirements for an adhesive with deformability >2.50mm & <5.00mm
S2		means the adhesive has met the requirements for an adhesive with deformability >5.00mm

Brief description of the various performance tests:
Initial adhesion strength:		Mandatory for C, D and R types. Adhesives must resist a minimum prescribed tensile force after 7 days cure.
Shear adhesion strength:		Mandatory for D and R types. Adhesive must resist a minimum prescribed shear force after 14 days cure for D type and 7 days cure for R type.
Adhesion strength after water immersion:		Mandatory test for C and R type adhesives. Optional test for D type adhesives. Adhesive must resist a minimum prescribed tensile force after a prescribed period of immersion in water. C and R type adhesives = 21 days water immersion D type adhesive = 7 days water immersion
*Adhesion strength after heat aging:		Mandatory for C, D and R adhesive types. Test involves 14 days cure followed by 14 days in oven at 70°C then adhesive is subjected to a minimum prescribed tensile force.
*Adhesion strength after freeze thaw cycle:		Mandatory for C type adhesives. Optional for D and R type adhesives. Test involves 7 days cure, followed by 21 days water immersion, then followed by 25 freeze thaw cycles followed by a minimum prescribed tensile force.
Open time:		Mandatory for C, D and R adhesive types (except designated fast setting). Adhesive is spread and tiles are bedded into it at 5 minute intervals. To pass the test, the tiles bedded into the adhesive at 20 minutes after spreading must resist the minimum prescribed tensile force after curing. If open time extends out to 30 minutes then adhesive is accredited with an "extended open time".
Deformability: (read as flexibility)		S1 = > 2.50mm & < 5.00mm S2 = > 5.00mm Mandatory for C type adhesives. Optional for D and R adhesive types. A piece of cured adhesive of a prescribed length, width and thickness is supported at each end and then pushed down by a curved anvil positioned mid way between the end supports. If the adhesive curves downwards by 4mm (i.e. deforms by 4mm) without cracking it may be regarded as being a deformable (flexible) adhesive, S1 or S2.
* The heat aging and freeze thaw test are the toughest tests to pass. They are designed to confirm long term chemical stability of the adhesive and are thus good indicators of the adhesive's capacity to provide a long service life.

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