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IS 14896:2015 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for adhesives for fixing ceramic and mosaic tiles - specification. This standard specifies the requirements, sampling, and testing methods for polymer-modified cementitious adhesives used to fix ceramic and mosaic tiles. It classifies adhesives into four types based on performance characteristics like shear adhesion strength, slip, open time, and adjustability, ensuring proper selection for different applications.
Specifies requirements for adhesives used for fixing ceramic and mosaic tiles, covering types and performance.
BIM-relevant code. See the BIM Hub for ISO 19650, IFC, and LOD/LOIN frameworks used alongside it.
Practical Notes
! Type 1 is a standard adhesive for general indoor applications on floors and walls, while Type 2 offers higher bond strength suitable for demanding areas, larger format tiles, or external applications.
! Always check the 'open time' on the product packaging. Applying tiles after this period has elapsed will result in a significantly weaker bond.
! The substrate must be clean, level, and free from dust or grease before applying the adhesive for optimal performance.
EN 12004-1:2017CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Adhesives for ceramic tiles - Part 1: Requirements, evaluation of conformity, classification and designation
Defines and specifies performance requirements for cementitious (C), dispersion (D) and reaction resin (R) adhesives for ceramic tiles.
ISO 13007-1:2014ISO (International Organization for Standardization), International
HighCurrent
Ceramic tiles — Grouts and adhesives — Part 1: Terms, definitions and specifications for adhesives
Provides terms and specifications for tile adhesives, closely harmonized with EN 12004.
ANSI A118.1-2022ANSI (American National Standards Institute), USA
MediumCurrent
American National Standard Specifications for Dry-Set Cement Mortar
Focuses specifically on dry-set cementitious mortars (a subset of tile adhesives), using shear strength as a primary metric.
BS EN 12004-1:2017BSI (British Standards Institution), United Kingdom
HighCurrent
Adhesives for ceramic tiles. Requirements, assessment and verification of constancy of performance, classification and marking
The UK national adoption of the European standard EN 12004-1, with identical technical content.
Key Differences
≠IS 14896 uses a numerical classification (Type 1, 2, 3, 4) based on application, whereas EN/ISO uses an alpha-numeric system (e.g., C2TES1) indicating composition (C-Cementitious), performance level (2-Improved), and special characteristics (T-Slip, E-Open Time, S-Deformability).
≠IS 14896 does not have a specific classification or requirement for deformability (flexibility), a critical property for tiling on substrates prone to movement. EN/ISO defines S1 (deformable) and S2 (highly deformable) classes.
≠In IS 14896, resistance to slip (≤ 0.5 mm) is a mandatory requirement for all adhesive types. In EN/ISO standards, it is an optional characteristic, designated by 'T' (thixotropic).
≠IS 14896 includes shear adhesion strength tests (for Type 3 and 4), a method also central to ANSI standards. EN/ISO standards rely primarily on tensile adhesion (pull-off) strength for all performance evaluations.
Key Similarities
≈Both IS 14896 and the EN/ISO standards use tensile adhesion strength (pull-off strength) as a primary performance indicator for adhesives under various curing conditions (dry, water immersion, heat ageing).
≈The concept and minimum performance requirement for 'Open Time' are very similar. Both standards typically require a tensile adhesion strength of ≥ 0.5 N/mm² after a tile is embedded 20 minutes after adhesive application.
≈The test methods for determining key properties like tensile adhesion, slip, and open time are conceptually and methodologically similar, involving controlled substrate, tile type, and environmental conditioning.
≈Both Indian and European standards specify similar conditioning procedures to simulate real-world service conditions, such as water immersion and heat ageing, before testing the adhesive's bond strength.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Tensile Adhesion Strength (Improved, Standard Condition)
≥ 1.0 N/mm² (for Type 1)
≥ 1.0 N/mm² (for Class C2)
EN 12004-1
Tensile Adhesion Strength (after Water Immersion)
≥ 1.0 N/mm² (for Type 2)
≥ 1.0 N/mm² (for Class C2)
EN 12004-1
Open Time (Tensile Adhesion Strength)
≥ 0.5 N/mm² after 20 min (for all Types)
≥ 0.5 N/mm² after 20 min (Standard requirement for all 'C' classes)
EN 12004-1 / ISO 13007-1
Slip (Vertical)
≤ 0.5 mm (Mandatory for all Types)
≤ 0.5 mm (for optional 'T' class)
EN 12004-1
Deformability (Transverse Deformation)
Not specified
≥ 2.5 mm (for 'S1' class)
EN 12004-1 / ISO 13007-2
Shear Strength (7-Day Dry)
≥ 1.0 N/mm² (for Type 3, on Plywood, 14 days)
≥ 50 psi (~0.34 N/mm²)
ANSI A118.1
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values6
Quick Reference Values
Min Shear Adhesion Strength (Type 1, Dry)> 1.0 N/mm²
Min Shear Adhesion Strength (Type 2, Dry)> 1.5 N/mm²
Min Open Time (Type 1)≥ 20 min
Max Slip (for vertical application)≤ 0.5 mm
Min Adjustability (Type 1)≥ 20 min
Min Shear Adhesion Strength after water immersion (Type 1)> 0.5 N/mm²
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Requirements for Adhesives for Fixing Ceramic and Mosaic Tiles
What is the main difference between Type 1 and Type 2 tile adhesives?+
Type 2 has a higher minimum shear adhesion strength (> 1.5 N/mm²) compared to Type 1 (> 1.0 N/mm²), making it suitable for heavy-duty applications. (Table 1)
What does 'open time' mean for a tile adhesive?+
It is the maximum time after application to a surface that a tile can be embedded to achieve the required bond strength. For a Type 1 adhesive, this is at least 20 minutes. (Table 1)
Can I use this adhesive for fixing natural stone like marble or granite?+
This standard is for ceramic/mosaic tiles. For natural stones, which can be sensitive to moisture and staining, it is better to use adhesives specified under IS 15477, particularly class C2S1 or C2S2.
What is the maximum permissible slip for an adhesive used on walls?+
The maximum slip for a vertically applied tile should be less than or equal to 0.5 mm. (Table 1)