ASTM D6004-21

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6004 − 20 D6004 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Determining Adhesive Shear Strength of Resilient Flooring
and Carpet Adhesives
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6004; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method describes a procedure to measure shear strength development for adhesives used to bond resilient flooring
and carpet adhesives to selected substrates.
1.2 This test method provides a quantitative means of measuring and recording shear strength of the adhesive when it is applied
to the desired substrate.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D907 Terminology of Adhesives
D8089 Practice for Accelerated Heat Aging for Floor Covering Adhesives
E4 Practices for Force Verification of Testing Machines
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
2.2 Voluntary Product Standards:
PS1 Construction and Industrial Plywood
PS2 Structural Use Panels
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Many of the terms in this test method are defined in Terminology D907.
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D14 on Adhesives and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D14.70 on Construction Adhesives
Current edition approved July 1, 2020April 1, 2021. Published August 2020April 2021. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20112020 as
D6004 – 04 (2011)D6004 – 20. which was withdrawn January 2020 and reinstated in July 2020. DOI: 10.1520/D6004-20.DOI: 10.1520/D6004-21.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Available from Standardization Documents Order Desk, DODSSP, Bldg. 4, Section D, 700 Robbins Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19111-5098, http://dodssp.daps.dla.mil.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6004 − 21
4. Significance and Use
4.1 In selecting or developing a resilient flooring or carpet adhesive, it is critical to have knowledge regarding how well the
adhesive will bond to the desired substrate. Shear loading simulates a common failure mode.
4.2 The test method determines the failure shear load for the test adhesive and specific substrate combination.
5. Apparatus
5.1 Applicator Trowel—Use trowel notching as recommended by flooring manufacturer or appropriate.
5.2 Three 10-lb (4.54-kg) weight equivalents.
5.3 Three 2 × 3-in. (51 mm × 76 (51 × 76 mm) sections of substrate for dead weight distribution.
5.4 Floor covering seam roller or similar type.
5.5 Convection Oven, capable of maintaining a temperature of 122 6 2°F (50 6 1°C).
5.6 Calibrated Universal Testing Machine, capable of a controlled application of force with a force measurement accuracy of
61 % when calibrated in compliance with Practices E4 requirements.
6. Materials
6.1 Adhesive—Any appropriate adhesive for resilient flooring or carpet installation.
6.2 Duck Cloth—Natural, untreated, #10, 14.73 oz.
6.3 Substrate—Minimum of ⁄4-in. (6.35-mm) plywood classified as flooring substrate type warrantied by the manufacturer.
Common wood-based products such as PS2 grade mark stamped oriented strand board substrate or PS1 grade mark stamped
plywood substrate. Other products, recommended by the adhesive manufacturer may also be used.
6.4 Flooring Material—As recommended by manufacturer.
7. Conditioning
7.1 Condition the duck cloth, underlayment and adhesive to be tested for 24 h at 73 6 3°F (23 6 2°C) and 50 % 6 5 % relative
humidity prior to testing.
8. Sample Preparation
8.1 Carpet:
8.1.1 Cut the carpet to be tested into three 2 × 6-in. (51 × 127-mm) pieces.
8.1.2 Cut one section of substrate into a 16 × 5-in. (406 × 127-mm) section.
8.2 Resilient Flooring:
8.2.1 Cut substrate into 2 × 7-in. (51 × 177-mm) pieces.
8.2.2 Cut flooring material into 1 × 4-in. (25 × 101-mm) pieces.
D6004 − 21
FIG. 1 Shear Strength Carpet Assembly Pattern
Original photo of Duck Cloth used for P&B
9. Procedure
9.1 Carpet:
9.1.1 Hold the trowel at a 45° angle and spread sufficient adhesive to cover the bonding areas.
9.1.2 Wait 10 min and place three pieces of carpet specimen perpendicular to the trowel pattern, each covering a 6-in. or 3 × 2-in.
(38.7 cm or 51 × 76 mm) area of the adhesive (Fig. 1).
9.1.3 Place a 2 × 3-in. (51 × 76 mm) substrate section on top of each carpet specimen for dead weight distribution (Fig. 2).
9.1.4 Place a 10-lb weight on each 2 × 3-in. (51 × 76 mm) dead weight distribution substrate section. Follow manufacturer’s
recommendations for bonding and installation.
9.1.5 Remove the weights and the dead w
...