European Standards EN 12004 and ISO 13007-1:

When choosing the most appropriate installation system, a good knowledge of the
materials to be installed is essential.  Installing tiles with adhesives by the thin-bed
method shall meet specific requirements defined by European Standards EN
12004 and ISO 13007-1. These standards allow tile adhesives to be classified
according to a clearly defined harmonized system that helps to identify their main
characteristics, as a result, acts as a guide when choosing which system to adopt. Let’s
take a look at what they are:

Types of Adhesives for tile and

stone work  
 

Adhesives are classified according to their chemical composition:

C – Cementitious adhesive
Cementitious Adhesive is a high performance polymer modified, cementitious thin-set
powder that is to be mixed only with water using the thin-set method of installation. It is
designed to suit the Middle East and Asia climate.

D – Dispersion adhesive
Dispersion adhesives are water-based adhesive systems which form bonds through
physical hardening when the water evaporates. The bonding effect is provided by a polymer
component which forms a film when the aqueous component evaporates.

R – Reaction-resin adhesive
Reaction resin tile adhesive is ideal for fixing all tile types to problematic substrates such as
fibreglass, steel & PVC coverings. It is also suitable for use with moisture sensitive substrates
and materials.
Fundamental requirements of
Cementitious tile adhesives 
Cementitious adhesives are classified into different classes according to their adhesion
properties and deformability. Tensile adhesion strength is tested under various curing
conditions and, depending on the results obtained, it can be classified under Class 1 (C1 –
normal adhesive) or Class 2 (C2 – improved adhesive).
All C1 and C2 cementitious adhesives must meet the fundamental characteristics of :
(i) Tensile adhesion strength of ≥ 0.5 N/mm² for C1 and ≥ 1.0 N/mm² for C2
(ii) Open time of not less than 20 minutes with tensile adhesion strength of ≥ 0.5
N/mm². Open time refers to the maximum interval after application at which tiles
can be embedded in the applied adhesive and meet the specified tensile adhesion
strength requirement. For fast-setting cementitious adhesives, the open time shall
be not less than 10 minutes. 

        
The table below shows the tensile strength criteria against each test condition for Class 1 and
Class 2 cementitious adhesives:
    

Additional characteristics of
Cementitious tile adhesives 
Apart from the fundamental characteristics mentioned above, other optional classes may be
added to indicate additional properties of an adhesive:
F: fast-setting/drying
T: No vertical slip
E: Extended open time
S: Special Deformable characteristic for cementitious adhesives only

Fast-setting adhesives, denoted by F, has rapid hydration properties for quick curing. This is
typically used in works which require a fast turnaround time.
No vertical slip denoted by T, refers to the downward movement of tile applied to combed
adhesive on vertical or inclined surface not exceeding 0.5mm.
Extended open time denoted by E, means the adhesive’s open time at no less than 30 minutes
must meet the requirement of tensile adhesion strength of ≥ 0.5 N/mm².
Deformability is denoted by S, refers to the capacity of a hardened adhesive to be deformed by
stresses between the tile and the fixing surface without loss of adhesion.  Deformability of a
cementitious adhesive is determined in a flexural test by measuring the deflection of the
specimen.
Deformability is further classified into two classes: S1 – deformable and S2 – highly deformable.
Adhesives that are able to meet the deformability range of between 2.5 and 5 mm are classified
S1, adhesives that have a deformation of ≥ 5 mm are classified S2. Deformability test shows
how flexible the adhesive is.  Flexibility in adhesives will improve resistance to impact,
environmental stresses caused by temperature and moisture cycles and thermal expansion and
contraction in substrates.
Fundamental requirements of
Dispersion tile adhesives 
Dispersion adhesives are also sub-divided into different classes according to the results
obtained during the adhesion strength tests: they are classified as D1 (normal adhesive) for
values ≥1 N/mm² after dry and heat ageing. The open time requirement for Dispersion
adhesives shall be not less than 20 minutes with tensile adhesion strength of ≥0.5 N/mm 2. For
improved adhesive of class D2 adhesives, the additional characteristic of shear adhesion
strength after 21 days’ air cure and 7 days’ water immersion shall be  ≥0.5N/mm2 as well as
shear adhesion strength of ≥1 N/mm² at elevated temperature.

Fundamental requirements of
Reaction-resin tile adhesives 
Reactive adhesives are classified R1 when they meet the shear adhesion strength requirement
of 2 N/mm² after dry curing and immersion in water. The improved R2 adhesive has the
additional characteristic of shear adhesion strength after thermal shock of at least 2 N/mm².
The open time for all reactive adhesives must be at least 20 minutes.

Summary on the types of tile

adhesives and their classes