The development and production of adhesive products require complex and proprietary chemistry, leading many manufacturers to maintain in-house testing capabilities for research and development as well as for ongoing quality assurance. These manufacturers find the most value in working with accredited third parties like ICC-ES to validate their internal findings, which assure their customers and code officials about the adhesive products’ continuing compliance. When customers see third-party data that aligns with the manufacturer’s claims, it builds trust across all stakeholders and simplifies future business.

We conduct adhesive performance testing for various characteristics, including but not limited to:

• Properties of content (volatile or non-volatile), which include viscosity, adhesion, shear strength, and shear modulus
• Adhesive bond or joint mechanical properties, which include strength, creep, fracture, and fatigue
• Environmental factors’ effects on adhesive bonds and joints
• Substrate compatibility and performance

Below is a list of standards or criteria that may be included in test plans for adhesives:

• ASTM C557: Standard specification for adhesives for fastening gypsum wallboard to wood framing
• ASTM D903: Standard test method for peel or stripping strength of adhesive bonds
• ASTM D905: Standard test method for strength properties of adhesive bonds in shear by compression loading
• ASTM D1002: Standard test method for apparent shear strength of single-lap-joint adhesively bonded metal specimens by tension loading (metal-to-metal)
• ASTM D1084: Standard test methods for the viscosity of adhesives (Method A only)
• ASTM D1101: Standard test methods for the integrity of adhesive joints in structural laminated wood products for exterior use
• ASTM D2294: Standard test method for creep properties of adhesives in shear by tension loading (metal-to-metal)
• ASTM D2559: Standard specification for adhesives for bonded structural wood products for use under exterior exposure conditions
• ASTM D3930: Standard specification for adhesives for wood-based material for the construction of manufactured homes
• ASTM D4317: Standard specification for polyvinyl acetate-based emulsion adhesives (except Sections 9.1.2, 9.1.3, 9.1.4, 10.3.1, 10.3.3.1, 10.3.3.5 and 10.3.3.6)
• AFG-01: Performance specifications for adhesives used for field-gluing plywood to wood framing (requires that adhesives applied at the job site be sunlight resistant and able to fill gaps. Adhesives are subject to adverse weather conditions, including moisture, sunlight, and fluctuating temperature.)
• ICC-ES AC05: Acceptance Criteria for Sandwich Panel Adhesives
• Structural assembly testing in HUD manufactured housing