ISO 24336:2005

Overview

ISO 24336:2005 is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that specifies a test method for determining the thickness swelling of laminate floor coverings after partial immersion in water. This standard evaluates how laminate flooring materials behave when exposed to moisture, specifically measuring the dimensional changes caused by water absorption. The test procedure is destructive and is primarily intended to assess the durability and water resistance of laminate flooring elements.

The standard excludes materials such as pre-attached soft backing, sub-layers, or other integrated materials on the underside of the laminate floor-covering element. These must be removed before testing to ensure accurate and consistent results.

Key Topics

• Scope and Purpose
  The test focuses on measuring thickness swelling of laminate floor coverings after partial immersion (50 mm deep) in water for 24 hours at 20 °C. It assesses the laminate's dimensional stability and water resistance, crucial properties for quality flooring.

• Sample Preparation
  Four test specimens are cut from a laminate element, with two specimens in the length direction and two in the width direction. Special care is taken to cut specimens away from edges and joints. Any pre-attached materials, except backing layers defined in EN 13329, are removed prior to testing.

• Conditioning and Measurement
  Specimens are stabilized under controlled conditions of 23 ± 2 °C and 50 ± 5 % relative humidity until reaching constant mass. Initial thickness is measured using a micrometer with ± 0.05 mm accuracy at specific points. After 24 hours partial water immersion, final thickness values are recorded promptly to calculate swelling.

• Calculation of Thickness Swelling
  Thickness swelling (%) is calculated using the formula:

  Thickness swelling (%) = [(t_fin - t_in) / t_in] × 100
  

  Where:

  • t_in = initial thickness (mm)
  • t_fin = final thickness after immersion (mm)

  The average swelling from multiple measurement points is reported to the nearest 0.1 %.

• Test Report Requirements
  The report must include references to ISO 24336, lab details, sample information, climatic conditions, test dates, procedure deviations, and the final swelling percentage.

Applications

• Quality Control in Laminate Flooring Manufacturing
  ISO 24336:2005 provides manufacturers with a standardized method to evaluate laminate products for water resistance. It helps ensure products meet performance requirements before reaching the market.

• Material Selection and Product Development
  Flooring material developers use this test to compare the water resilience of different laminate cores and surface finishes, guiding improvements in product formulations.

• Compliance and Certification
  The standard supports compliance with building codes and flooring certifications where water resistance is critical, such as in residential and commercial interior spaces prone to moisture exposure.

• Performance Benchmarking
  Flooring retailers and specifiers utilize thickness swelling data to recommend suitable laminate flooring types based on environmental conditions and user expectations.

Related Standards

• EN 13329:2000
  This European standard complements ISO 24336 by specifying overall specifications, requirements, and test methods for laminate floor coverings including dimensional tolerances and surface durability.

• ISO 22196:2011
  Measures antibacterial activity on plastics and other non-porous surfaces, relevant for flooring in hygienic environments.

• ISO 2813:2014
  Specifies test methods for measuring gloss of surfaces, useful for the aesthetic quality control of laminate floor finishes.

Keywords: ISO 24336, laminate floor coverings, thickness swelling, water immersion test, laminate flooring water resistance, laminate flooring standards, destructive testing, flooring quality control, moisture resistance, laminate floor durability.