This document establishes a classification for emulsion polymer isocyanate (EPI) adhesives according to their suitability for use in load-bearing timber products in defined climatic exposure conditions, and specifies performance requirements for such adhesives for the industrial manufacture of load-bearing timber products only.
The performance requirements of this document are applicable to the adhesives only, not to the timber products. This document does not cover the performance of adhesives for on-site gluing (except for factory-like conditions) or the production of wood-based panels, except solid wood panels, or modified and stabilized wood with considerably reduced swelling and shrinkage properties, e.g. acetylated wood, heat treated wood and polymer impregnated wood.
This document is primarily intended for use by adhesive manufacturers and for use in timber products bonded with adhesives, to assess or control the quality of adhesives. This document only specifies the performance of an adhesive for use in an environment corresponding to the defined conditions.
Such an adhesive meeting the requirements of this document for its type is adequate for use in load-bearing timber products, provided that the bonding process has been carried out according to an appropriate product standard.