BS 5980:1980 Adhesive Requirements Table

 

Requirement	Test Method	Type 1: Cement-Based Adhesives	Type 2: Dispersion Adhesives	Type 3: Reaction Resin Adhesives
Shear Adhesion Strength (Dry Condition)	Tensile Shear Strength Test	≥ 1.0 MPa (after 28 days)	≥ 1.0 MPa (after 28 days)	≥ 2.0 MPa (after 7 days)
Shear Adhesion Strength (Wet Condition)	Water Immersion Test	≥ 0.5 MPa	≥ 0.5 MPa	≥ 1.5 MPa
Shear Adhesion Strength (Heat Aging)	Thermal Aging Test	≥ 0.5 MPa	≥ 0.5 MPa	≥ 1.5 MPa
Open Time (Time before setting)	Workability Test	Minimum 20 minutes	Minimum 20 minutes	Minimum 30 minutes
Pot Life (Usable time after mixing)	Application Test	Minimum 1 hour	Minimum 2 hours	Minimum 45 minutes
Slip Resistance (Vertical Surfaces)	Slip Test	≤ 0.5 mm movement	≤ 0.5 mm movement	≤ 0.5 mm movement
Thermal Resistance	Thermal Stability Test	Withstands -30°C to 70°C	Withstands -10°C to 50°C	Withstands -40°C to 100°C
Water Absorption Resistance	Water Immersion Test	≤ 3% absorption	≤ 2% absorption	≤ 1% absorption
Chemical Resistance	Chemical Exposure Test	Moderate resistance	Moderate resistance	High resistance
Flexibility / Deformability	Flexibility Test	Moderate (for minor movement)	Moderate (for minor movement)	High (for expansion/contraction zones)
Set Time (Initial & Final)	ASTM C1708	4-6 hours	6-8 hours	2-3 hours
Suitable Application Areas	General Use	Indoor/Outdoor Flooring & Walls	Indoor Walls & Light Flooring	Heavy-Duty & Industrial Areas
Substrate Compatibility	Bonding Test	Concrete, Cement Boards, Masonry	Drywall, Plasterboard, Concrete	Concrete, Metal, Wood, Fiberglass

Summary:

• Type 1 (Cement-Based): Good for general construction, moderate flexibility, suitable for tile and stone fixing.
• Type 2 (Dispersion-Based): Best for interior use, easy application, water-based, and limited chemical resistance.
• Type 3 (Reaction Resin-Based): High durability, strong chemical & thermal resistance, suitable for industrial and waterproofing applications.

Again all these adhesives can be divided as per BS 5980:1980 – Adhesive Performance Requirements & Classification

Requirement	Test Method	Class B (Low Strength)	Class A (General Purpose)	Class AA (High Performance)
Shear Adhesion Strength (Dry Condition)	Tensile Shear Strength Test	≥ 0.5 MPa	≥ 1.0 MPa	≥ 2.0 MPa
Shear Adhesion Strength (Wet Condition)	Water Immersion Test	≥ 0.3 MPa	≥ 0.5 MPa	≥ 1.5 MPa
Shear Adhesion Strength (Heat Aging)	Thermal Aging Test	≥ 0.3 MPa	≥ 0.5 MPa	≥ 1.5 MPa
Open Time (Before Setting)	Workability Test	Minimum 10 minutes	Minimum 20 minutes	Minimum 30 minutes
Pot Life (Usability After Mixing)	Application Test	Minimum 30 minutes	Minimum 1 hour	Minimum 45 minutes
Slip Resistance (Vertical Surfaces)	Slip Test	≤ 1.5 mm movement	≤ 1 mm movement	≤ 0.5 mm movement
Thermal Resistance	Thermal Stability Test	-10°C to 40°C	-30°C to 70°C	-40°C to 100°C
Water Absorption Resistance	Water Immersion Test	≤ 6%	≤ 3%	≤ 1%
Chemical Resistance	Chemical Exposure Test	Low resistance	Moderate resistance	High resistance (Acids, Alkalis, Solvents)
Flexibility & Deformation Resistance	Flexibility Test	Low	Moderate	High (Ideal for movement areas)
Set Time (Initial & Final)	ASTM C1708	6-8 hours	4-6 hours	2-3 hours
Substrate Compatibility	Bonding Test	Plasterboard, Lightweight Concrete	Concrete, Masonry, Drywall	Concrete, Metal, Wood, Fiberglass
Recommended Applications	General Use	Small ceramic tiles, low-traffic areas, decorative applications	Interior floors & walls, general tiling	Heavy-duty flooring, exterior facades, swimming pools, industrial applications

Summary of Classifications:

• Class B – Low-strength adhesives for light-duty applications (small tiles, decorative finishes).
• Class A – General-purpose adhesives suitable for interior floors and walls in residential and commercial spaces.
• Class AA – High-performance adhesives for demanding environments like industrial flooring, swimming pools, and external facades, offering superior thermal, chemical, and water resistance.

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