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IS 13600:1993 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for adhesives for structural use - epoxy resin based - specification. This standard specifies the requirements, testing methods, and performance criteria for two-part, epoxy resin-based adhesives intended for structural applications like bonding concrete, steel, and other materials. It categorizes adhesives based on consistency and outlines mandatory physical properties for the uncured state and performance properties for the cured state.
Specifies requirements for epoxy resin-based adhesives primarily used for structural applications with concrete and other materials.
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Admixtures and Chemical Products for Concrete
! Surface preparation (cleaning, roughening, and drying) is absolutely critical to achieve the specified bond strength.
! Adherence to the manufacturer's specified mix ratio of resin to hardener is crucial; incorrect ratios will lead to incomplete curing and poor performance.
! Pot life and curing time are highly sensitive to ambient temperature; higher temperatures reduce pot life and accelerate curing.
Standard Specification for Epoxy-Resin-Base Bonding Systems for Concrete
Specifies performance requirements for epoxy bonding systems, focusing heavily on concrete applications.
EN 1504-4:2004CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures - Part 4: Structural bonding
Covers epoxy-based adhesives specifically for structural bonding in concrete repair and strengthening.
JIS A 6024:2018JSA (Japanese Standards Association), Japan
MediumCurrent
Epoxy resin for building repair and for reinforcement
Specifies epoxy resins for repair and reinforcement in construction, analogous to structural bonding.
Key Differences
≠IS 13600 has a very general scope for 'structural use' across materials (metal, concrete, wood), while standards like ASTM C881 and EN 1504-4 are specifically focused on applications involving concrete.
≠ASTM C881 employs a detailed classification system based on Type (application), Grade (viscosity), and Class (cure temperature), which is far more granular than the simple 'General Purpose' and 'Heat Resistant' classes in IS 13600.
≠EN 1504-4 mandates the declaration of a wider range of performance characteristics for CE marking, including Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) and Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, which are not required by IS 13600.
≠The test methodologies for durability differ significantly. IS 13600 uses a lap shear strength test after boiling water immersion, whereas EN 1504-4 uses pull-off strength tests after complex thermal and moisture cycling.
Key Similarities
≈All standards identify shear strength (whether lap shear on steel or slant shear on concrete) as a fundamental performance metric for qualifying the adhesive's structural capability.
≈The specifications are fundamentally designed for two-component epoxy systems, comprising a resin part and a hardener part that are mixed before use.
≈All standards specify requirements for key workability properties, such as pot life (working time) and consistency, to ensure the adhesive is practical for on-site application.
≈Each standard includes requirements for testing the durability of the adhesive bond under exposure to moisture to ensure long-term performance in service conditions.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Tensile Shear Strength (on steel)
≥ 9.8 MPa (for General Purpose Grade)
≥ 14 MPa (bond to steel)
EN 1504-4:2004
Pot Life / Gel Time
≥ 30 minutes at 27 °C
≥ 30 minutes at specified temperature (e.g., 23 °C for Class C)
ASTM C881/C881M-17
Bond Strength (Slant Shear on Concrete)
Not specified
≥ 10.3 MPa at 2 days cure
ASTM C881/C881M-17
Viscosity
Not quantified, must be 'suitable for application'
Quantified by Grade (e.g., Grade 2: 2-10 Pa·s)
ASTM C881/C881M-17
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg)
Not specified
≥ 40 °C (must be declared)
EN 1504-4:2004
Water Resistance Test Requirement
≥ 4.9 MPa lap shear strength after 7 hours in boiling water
≥ 2.0 MPa pull-off strength after water/heat cycling (EN 13687-2)
EN 1504-4:2004
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values4
Quick Reference Values
Minimum Average Lap Shear Strength (Steel to Steel)12.0 N/mm²
Minimum Pot Life at 27°C30 min
Maximum Water Absorption (7 days)1.0 % by mass
Minimum Bond Strength (Pull-out)2.5 N/mm² or failure of concrete
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Physical Requirements for Uncured Two-Component Epoxy Adhesive System
Table 2 - Performance Requirements for Cured Two-Component Epoxy Adhesive System
What are the types of epoxy adhesives covered in IS 13600?+
Two types are covered based on consistency: Type 1 (Paste-like, non-sagging) and Type 2 (Liquid, pourable). (Clause 4)
What is the minimum required lap shear strength for a structural epoxy?+
The minimum average lap shear strength for steel-to-steel bonding is 12.0 N/mm² (MPa). (Table 2)
What is the minimum pot life specified?+
The minimum pot life at 27 ± 2°C is 30 minutes for a 100g mix. (Table 1)
How is bond strength to concrete evaluated?+
It is evaluated via a pull-off test. The standard requires a minimum bond strength of 2.5 N/mm² or failure must occur in the concrete substrate itself, not at the bond interface. (Table 2 & Annex C)