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Adhesive certification to EN standards

and German Flexmortar quality label
A dhesive products used for laying ceramic tiles are required to meet various performance standards. These are precisely defined in European standard
DIN EN 12 004 (or ISO 13 007 Part 1), which specifies the criteria for the C1 and C2 ratings (for cementitious adhesives), D1 and D2 ratings (for disper-
sion adhesives) and R1 and R2 (for reaction resin adhesives) along with extra optional parameters. Standard DIN EN 12 004 sets out the background to the
S1 and S2 ratings for cementitious adhesives. The various performance criteria are described in detail in the following sections.

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Cementitious adhesives
Tensile adhesion strength
The C1 and C2 ratings (specified in DIN EN 12 004) relate to tensile adhesion performance. The Class C1 criteria represent the minimum requirements
(min. 0.5 N/mm²) for all cementitious tile adhesives. The performance standards specified for Class C2 are appreciably higher, with a minimum tensile adhesion
strength of 1 N/mm2 required of thin-bed adhesives. Tensile adhesion tests for the C1 and C2 ratings are performed for four different storage conditions.

Class C1 Class C2
Tensile adhesion strength after dry storage ≥ 0.5 N/mm² ≥ 1 N/mm²
Tensile adhesion strength after water storage ≥ 0.5 N/mm² ≥ 1 N/mm²
Tensile adhesion strength after heat storage ≥ 0.5 N/mm² ≥ 1 N/mm²
Tensile adhesion strength after freeze-thaw storage ≥ 0.5 N/mm² ≥ 1 N/mm²

Deformability
The deformability of hardened, cementitious thin-bed adhesives is tested using a predefined specimen (strip of material) and rated as S1 or S2
(to DIN EN 12 004).
While the S1 rating requires a deformability between min. 2.5 mm and 5 mm, Class S2 is reserved for highly deformable products achieving a minimum value
of 5 mm – a requirement twice that specified by the German Flexmortar guidelines.

Dispersion adhesives
The D1 and D2 ratings (specified in DIN EN 12 004) relate to shear strength. All dispersion adhesives are required to meet at least Class D1 requirements,
i. e. by exhibiting min. 1 N/mm² shear strength after dry and heat storage. The D2 rating additionally requires a minimum shear strength of 0.5 N/mm² after
water storage together with a shear strength ≥ 1 N/mm² at elevated temperatures.

Reaction resin adhesives

Like the D1 and D2 ratings for dispersion adhesives, Classes R1 and R2 for reaction resin adhesives (specified in DIN EN 12 004) relate to shear strength.
All reaction resin adhesives are required to meet at least Class R1 requirements, i.e. by exhibiting min. 2 N/mm² shear strength after dry and water storage.
The R2 rating additionally requires a minimum shear strength of 2 N/mm² after temperature cycles.

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Application properties
Extra letters, e. g. T, E and F, may be added to the rating code to indicate supplementary application properties.

T = thixotrophic / high sag resistance

E = extended open time

(only applicable to cementitious and Class D2 dispersion adhesives)

F = fast setting (only applicable to cementitious adhesives)

The high-performance Sopro No. 1 flexible cementitious tile adhesive, for instance, boasts a tensile adhesion strength exceeding 1 N/mm² (C2)
plus a deformability of over 2.5 mm (S1). It also possesses properties allowing easy application, such as high sag resistance and an extended open
time. It is therefore classed as C2 TE/S1.
By way of a further example, Sopro SK 441 highly flexible dispersion adhesive achieves a D2 TE rating, i. e. exhibits a shear strength ≥ 1 N/mm²
after dry and heat storage and at elevated temperatures together with a shear strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 after water storage. Again, the product‘s
workability is greatly enhanced by its high sag resistance and extended open time.
Sopro DBE 500 epoxy tile adhesive exhibits a shear strength ≥ 2 N/mm2 after dry and water storage and after temperature cycles as well as high
sag resistance. It duly achieves a rating of R2 T.

German Flexmortar guidelines

D The Flexmortar guidelines specify national requirements for flexible, one-component adhesives. These guidelines are not effective at European
level.

T he minimum requirements for flexible tile adhesives correspond to European Class C2 and additionally stipulate a minimum deformability of
2.5 mm, although this provision – in respect of key test criteria – fails to match the much stiffer test procedures of the current DIN EN 12 004,
which places far stricter demands on the condition of test specimens.

H ence, any flexible, one-component thin-bed adhesive classed C2/S1 to European standards DIN EN 12 004 automatically meets the require-
ments of the German Flexmortar guidelines. Indeed, the C2/S1 rating exceeds the demands of the Flexmortar guidelines with regard to defor-
mability and thus flexibility – a particularly vital property. As a result, the adhesive performance implied by the C2/S1 rating is currently superior to
that signalled by the (lozenge-shaped) Flexmortar quality label alone.

CE marking

T he CE mark is affixed by manufacturers solely to confirm the conformity of their products with the relevant European standards. CE marking has
been mandatory for tile adhesives since 1.04.2004 and serves as a kind of „product passport” to permit the free movement of goods within
Europe. The minimum requirement is a Class C1 rating to EN 12 004.
Award of the CE mark is subject to initial type testing by a recognized institute, which confirms compliance of the product›s properties with
the requirements of the relevant European standards. Copies of test certificates are obtainable from Sopro. Each CE mark indicates the relevant
manufacturer together with the performance data for the four storage conditions.
Sopro‘s tile adhesives all meet the minimum requirements, without exception.

Note!
Sopro Bauchemie GmbH
Tile adhesives may bear the CE mark even if they fail to meet the minimum C1 require- Biebricher Straße 74 · 65203 Wiesbaden (Germany)

ment for all four storage conditions. In such cases, however, the minimum requirement
may only be waived for heat and freeze-thaw storage. The production date is printed on the packaging.

Tile adhesives displaying a CE mark subject to these exceptions must not be used out- EN 12004
Improved, rapid-set, cementitious mortar
doors. for wall and floor coverings, indoors and outdoors

Such tile adhesives may be recognized by the designations NPD (no performance deter- Early tensile adhesion strength (after 6 hours)
Tensile adhesion strength after dry storage
≥ 0,5 N/mm²
≥ 1 N/mm²
mined) or KLF (»keine Leistung festgestellt«) or by performance data stated in the CE Tensile adhesion strength after water storage
Tensile adhesion strength after heat storage
≥ 1 N/mm²
≥ 1 N/mm²
label that fail to meet the C rating requirements. Tensile adhesion strength after freeze-thaw storage ≥ 1 N/mm²

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 Adhesive classification to DIN EN 12 004

Tensile adhesion strength in each of required tensile adhesion tests: ≥ 0.5 N/mm2
C1 Mandatory parameters C1 plus open time: tensile adhesion strength after min. 20 minutes installation time: ≥ 0.5 N/mm2

C1 T ● Additionally with low sag of max. 0.5 mm

● Additionally with early tensile adhesion strength after dry storage and after max. 6 h ≥ 0.5 N/mm2
C1 F ● Additionally with shorter open time (tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 after min. 10 minutes installation time)

Optional parameters ● Additionally with early tensile adhesion strength after dry storage and after max. 6 h ≥ 0.5 N/mm2
C1 FT ● Additionally with shorter open time (tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 after min. 10 minutes installation time)
● Additionally with low sag of max. 0.5 mm

● Additionally with extended open time (tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 after min. 30 minutes installation time)
C1 ETF ● Additionally with low sag of max. 0.5 mm
● Additionally with early tensile adhesion strength after dry storage and after max. 6 h ≥ 0.5 N/mm2

Tensile adhesion strength in each of required tensile adhesion tests: ≥ 1 N/mm2

C2 Mandatory parameters C2 plus open time: tensile adhesion strength after min. 20 minutes installation time: ≥0.5 N/mm2

C2 T ● Additionally with low sag of max. 0.5 mm

C2 E ● Additionally with extended open time (tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 after min. 30 minutes installation time)

● Additionally with low sag of max. 0.5 mm

C2 TE ● Additionally with extended open time (tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 after min. 30 minutes installation time)

● Additionally with early tensile adhesion strength after dry storage and after max. 6 h ≥ 0.5 N/mm2
C2 F ● Additionally with shorter open time (tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 after min. 10 minutes installation time)
Optional parameters
● Additionally with early tensile adhesion strength after dry storage and after max. 6 h ≥ 0.5 N/mm2
C2 FT ● Additionally with shorter open time (tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 after min. 10 minutes installation time)
● Additionally with low sag of max. 0.5 mm

● Additionally with extended open time (tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 after min. 30 minutes installation time)
C2 EF ● Additionally with early tensile adhesion strength after dry storage and after max. 6 h ≥ 0.5 N/mm2

● Additionally with extended open time (tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 after min. 30 minutes installation time)
C2 ETF ● Additionally with low sag of max. 0.5 mm
● Additionally with early tensile adhesion strength after dry storage and after max. 6 h ≥ 0.5 N/mm2

Shear strength in each of required shear tests: ≥ 0.5 N/mm2

D1 Mandatory parameters D1 plus open time: tensile adhesion strength after min. 20 minutes installation time: ≥ 0.5 N/mm2

D1 T ● Additionally with low sag of max. 0.5 mm

Optional parameters
● Additionally with low sag of max. 0.5 mm
D1 TE ● Additionally with extended open time (tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 after min. 30 minutes installation time)

Shear strength in each of required shear tests: ≥ 1 N/mm2 and ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 after water storage plus open time:
D2 Mandatory parameters D2 tensile adhesion strength after min. 20 minutes installation time: ≥ 0.5 N/mm2

D2 T ● Additionally with low sag of max. 0.5 mm

Optional parameters D2 E ● Additionally with extended open time (tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 after min. 30 minutes installation time)

● Additionally with low sag of max. 0.5 mm

D2 TE ● Additionally with extended open time (tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 after min. 30 minutes installation time)

Shear strength in each of required shear tests: ≥ 2 N/mm2 plus open time:
R1 Mandatory parameters R1 tensile adhesion strength after min. 20 minutes installation time: ≥ 0.5 N/mm2

Optional parameters R1 T ● Additionally with low sag of max. 0.5 mm

Shear strength in each of required shear tests: ≥ 2 N/mm2 plus shear strength after temperature cycles: ≥ 2 N/mm2
R2 Mandatory parameters R2 plus open time: tensile adhesion strength after min. 20 minutes installation time: ≥ 0.5 N/mm2

Optional parameters R2 T ● Additionally with low sag of max. 0.5 mm

S1 Class S1 Deformability ≥ 2.5 mm

S2 Class S2 Deformability ≥ 5 mm

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CG2 WA

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T ile grouts used for finishing ceramic tiling are required to meet various
performance standards. These are precisely defined in European standard
DIN EN 13 888 (or ISO 13 007 Part 3), which specifies the criteria for the CG1
and CG2 ratings (for cementitious tile grouts) and the RG rating (for reaction
resin tile grouts)

CG classification to DIN EN 13 888

Merely to achieve a CG 1 rating, tile grouts are required to meet criteria for
eight different test parameters:

CG 1
Abrasion resistance ≤ 2000 mm³

Bending strength after dry storage ≥ 2.5 N/mm²

Bending strength after freeze-thaw storage ≥ 2.5 N/mm²

Compressive strength after dry storage ≥ 15 N/mm²

Compressive strength after freeze-thaw storage ≥ 15 N/mm²

Shrinkage ≤ 3 mm/m

Water absorption after 30 minutes ≤5g

Water absorption after 240 minutes ≤ 10 g

CG 2 (in addition to CG 1)
Extra-high abrasion resistance ≤ 1000 mm³

Reduced water absorption after 30 minutes ≤2g

Reduced water absorption after 240 minutes ≤5g

RG classification to DIN EN 13 888

The RG rating applies to reaction resin tile grouts and imposes similarly
stringent requirements on the relevant materials:

Abrasion resistance ≤ 250 mm³

Bending strength after dry storage ≥ 30 N/mm²

Compressive strength after dry storage ≥ 45 N/mm²

Shrinkage ≤ 1.5 mm/m

Water absorption after 240 minutes ≤ 0.1 g

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