Overview
EN ISO 17178:2020 (ISO 17178:2013) specifies standardized test methods and minimum requirements for adhesives used to bond parquet and similar wood floorings to a subfloor. It defines lab conditioning (standard atmosphere), specimen preparation and two primary mechanical tests - shear strength and tensile strength - including heat-age and time-based conditioning. The standard does not cover selection or installation of parquet flooring.
Key topics
- Scope and purpose: Test methods for adhesives for bonding parquet to subfloors; minimum performance requirements for shear and tensile strength.
- Test conditions: Standard conditioning at (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % RH (ISO 554). Sampling and sample prep per ISO 15605 and EN 1067.
- Shear strength test:
- Lap-bonded mosaic parquet fingers (EN 13488) are used.
- Specimens conditioned for short-term (3 days) and long-term/aged sequences (total 28 days including elevated temperature).
- Shear strength calculated from maximum force and bonded area.
- Tensile strength (pull-off) test:
- Parquet pieces bonded to a concrete slab (EN 1323); pull-head plates glued to parquet for pull-off testing.
- Strength determined after 7 days, 28 days, and after heat ageing.
- Adhesive classification: Definitions for hard, hard elastic, and elastic adhesives based on shear strength and shear elongation (as defined in the standard).
- Test apparatus and procedure details: Notched trowel geometry, weights, tensile testing machine rates, oven conditions, specimen dimensions and loading procedures.
- Test report and minimum requirements: The standard requires documented test reports and specifies minimum strength criteria (values are defined in the full standard text).
Applications
EN ISO 17178 is used by:
- Adhesive manufacturers for product development and quality control of parquet adhesives.
- Independent test laboratories performing type testing, compliance verification and performance claims.
- Specifiers, architects and product certification bodies who require validated adhesive performance data for product selection or standards compliance.
- Flooring material researchers assessing adhesive durability and bond behavior under standardized conditions.
Note: installers should not use this standard as a manual for selection or installation practices-its focus is on laboratory performance testing.
Related standards
Normative references include:
For precise test parameters, minimum numerical criteria and full procedural details, consult the official EN ISO 17178:2020 document from CEN/ISO.