PalletLink Datasheet

Ref: 52c

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BS 1202 Part 1 Nails - Steel nails

The first British Standard change in 26 years for the construction, pallet and case nail
supplier finally took place in January 2000. The well established BS 1202 : 1974 was
withdrawn and replaced by a European version which deletes a number of old favourite
sizes. BS EN 10230-1 : 2000: Steel wire nails - Part 1 - Loose nails for general
applications is the new standard to work to now, it contains terminology, permissible
lengths, diameters, etc. PalletLink has monitored and commented on drafts over the
several year preparation period and was instrumental in annular ring nail shank
diameters being measured over the plain shank portion, not over the rings, as in earlier
drafts of 10230.
Apart from the above standard for nail sizes, there are two other standards for pallet nails, one testing for bend
strength and one for nail performance quality levels.
1. Test methods for loose and collated nails were published in BS EN 409: 1993 (building) and BS EN ISO 12777-1:
1997 (pallets).
2. Minimum nail performance quality levels were worked on by BSI, CEN and ISO through new pallet and pallet
repair committees. The result was ISO 15629: 2002: "Pallets for materials handling - Quality of fasteners for assembly
of new and repair of used wooden flat pallets" was led by a USA Convenor. It is now adopted by CEN and is a
National Standard in many countries. It contains specific requirements for nail bending strength classed as high,
medium and low quality of respectively 6.0Nm, 5.4Nm and 4.5Nm. For clinched pallet deck-mat nails 2.5Nm, 2.2Nm,
1.9 Nm. These are useful levels for pallet designers though the nail making industry has been slow to react to the
presence of the standard.
In general the USA use stronger nails than Europe called "stiff stock". PalletLink have the test equipment for this test,
but beware, the favourite in the USA the MIBANT nail test machine was designed in 1960, it was assessed by
ISO/TC51 in 1992 and is not accurate. The Rockhi Robiment (Germany) designed in the 1980's or the Verus 127
(UK) designed in 2000 are accurate devices. PalletLink have worked with all three machines extensively.
The MIBANT measures a nail bend strength as an angle of bend after the elastic limit is passed and therefore mixes
plastic modulus with elastic modulus. It also tests nails close to the head where rings are absent and since failure of
pallet joints in the field does not normally happen at that point it gives a misleadingly high result.
The Verus 127 improves on previous nail testers and is nearest to the EN ISO 12777-1 recommended fulcrum bending
position principles and it tests at the weakest point of a nail, amongst the rings.

Copyright PalletLink while every effort is made to ensure accuracy of the data given, PalletLink cannot accept liability for loss or damage
arising out of the use of the information. The details supplied are relevant as at the date of this publication which is one example in an extensive
series of PalletLink Datasheets. Members are advised to contact PalletLink if in doubt over any aspect of pallet or case manufacture or usage.

52c/JH/SJ/10 40 2015