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IS 9989:1981 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for epoxy based resin systems for bonding fresh concrete to hardened concrete - specification. This standard specifies the requirements and test methods for two-component epoxy resin based systems used for bonding fresh plastic concrete to hardened concrete surfaces. It covers essential physical properties like viscosity and gel time, and performance criteria such as bond strength and compressive strength of the cured resin system.
Specifies requirements for epoxy resin systems used as bonding agents between fresh and hardened concrete.
Overview
Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Materials Science — Admixtures and Chemical Products for Concrete
! Surface preparation of the hardened concrete is critical for achieving the specified bond strength; it must be clean, sound, and free from any laitance, dust, oil, or grease.
! Always mix the base and hardener components in the exact ratio specified by the manufacturer, as deviations can significantly affect performance, gel time, and final strength.
! Pay close attention to the pot life (related to gel time) of the mixed system, especially in hot weather, as it dictates the workable time available for application before the resin starts to harden.
Standard Specification for Epoxy-Resin-Base Bonding Systems for Concrete
Directly covers epoxy systems for bonding freshly mixed concrete to hardened concrete (specified as Type II).
BS EN 1504-4:2004British Standards Institution (BSI), UK / European Committee for Standardization (CEN), Europe
HighCurrent
Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures - Definitions, requirements, quality control and evaluation of conformity - Part 4: Structural bonding
Specifies requirements for structural bonding products, including epoxies, for joining concrete elements.
ACI 503.2-92(2006)American Concrete Institute (ACI), USA
HighCurrent
Standard Specification for Bonding Fresh Concrete to Hardened Concrete with a Multi-Component Epoxy Adhesive
A specification focused entirely on the application of bonding fresh concrete to hardened concrete with epoxy.
JIS A 6024:2015Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), Japan
MediumCurrent
Epoxy resin for building repair and reinforcement
Covers epoxy resins for various repair applications, including bonding of concrete sections.
Key Differences
≠IS 9989 specifies a single type of product, whereas ASTM C881 provides a comprehensive classification system based on Type (application), Grade (viscosity), and Class (curing temperature range).
≠The test specimen for the slant shear bond strength test is different. IS 9989 specifies a 150 mm cube, while the corresponding ASTM C882 test uses a 75 mm diameter by 150 mm height (3x6 in.) cylinder.
≠International standards like ASTM C881 and EN 1504-4 have more extensive durability and long-term performance requirements, such as thermal compatibility or creep, which are not specified in the 1981 version of the IS code.
≠IS 9989 specifies a maximum ash content (filler content), which is a prescriptive requirement. Modern standards like ASTM C881 are more performance-based and do not limit filler content, relying instead on meeting performance criteria like bond strength and viscosity.
Key Similarities
≈The fundamental purpose of all standards is to specify the requirements for two-component epoxy resin systems intended for bonding fresh concrete to hardened concrete.
≈The primary performance criterion in both IS 9989 and its international equivalents is the bond strength, which is universally evaluated using a slant shear test method.
≈All standards specify requirements for essential handling characteristics, such as pot life (or gel time) and consistency (or viscosity), to ensure the product is usable on site.
≈The standards are compositionally specific, focusing on two-component, solvent-free epoxy systems and excluding other bonding chemistries like latex or cementitious slurries from their scope.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
Bond Strength (Slant Shear)
≥ 15.0 MPa at 7 days
≥ 17.2 MPa (2500 psi) at 14 days
ASTM C881 / C882 (Type II)
Pot Life / Gel Time
≥ 30 minutes (Pot Life)
≥ 30 minutes (Gel Time for Type II, Grade 2, Class C)
ASTM C881
Contact Time
≥ 4 hours
Not specified as a mandatory property; controlled by manufacturer's instructions and related to gel time.
ASTM C881
Volatile Content
≤ 1.0 % by mass
Essentially 0%; must be solvent-free. Typically <1% by mass.
ASTM C881
Ash Content (Filler)
≤ 45.0 % by mass
Not specified; controlled by performance requirements (e.g., viscosity, strength) rather than prescriptive limits.
ASTM C881
Consistency (Flow Test)
≤ 40 mm
Specified by Grade (viscosity), not a flow test. E.g., Grade 2 (medium) is 2-10 Pa·s.
ASTM C881
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values5
Quick Reference Values
Gel Time at 27 ± 2 °C30 to 90 minutes
Viscosity of Mixed System at 27 ± 2 °C100 to 200 Poise
Compressive Strength of Cured Resin (7 days)Minimum 70 N/mm²
Tensile Bond Strength (Optional Test)Minimum 2 N/mm²
Slant Shear Bond Strength (7 days)No failure in bond
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
Table 1 - Physical Requirements for Epoxy Bonding System
Key Clauses
Clause 2 - Terminology
Clause 3 - Requirements
Clause 4 - Tests
Clause 5 - Packing and Marking
Appendix A - Method for Determination of Bond Strength
The slant shear bond strength test (Appendix A). The requirement is that failure must occur in the concrete, not at the bond interface.
What is the required gel time for the epoxy system?+
The gel time for the mixed system must be between 30 and 90 minutes when tested at 27 ± 2 °C (Table 1).
How should the epoxy system be supplied?+
It should be supplied as a two-pack system, with the base resin and the hardener in separate, sealed containers to be mixed on-site just before use (Clause 5.1).
What is the minimum compressive strength for the cured epoxy resin itself?+
The cured epoxy resin must have a minimum compressive strength of 70 N/mm² after 7 days of curing (Table 1).