🏗️ Bond strength by pull-off of grouts, mortars, concretes and surface protection systems used for the protection and repair of concrete, thickness up to 50 mm; PN-EN 1542:2000
In short
The bond of a repair or protection product to concrete is measured by pulling off from the substrate a disc bonded to the surface of the layer tested. The test is performed according to PN-EN 1542:2000 (wersja polska; wprowadza EN 1542:1999 [IDT]); Force ranges in accreditation scopes: AB 023: 0.2–25 kN (discs 50 mm in diameter); AB 054: 0.5–25.0 kN (products for protection and repair) and 0.1–15.0 kN (renders with organic binders); AB 535: 0.5–16 kN; AB 804: 0.3–16 kN; AB 1110, AB 1354, AB 1641 and AB 1783: 1–16 kN; AB 1470: 1–10 kN; AB 1527: 0.4–10 kN; AB 1424: 0.11–6.17 kN; AB 1806 gives no range. The procedure comprises 3 steps; it is used for: Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures (grouts, mortars, repair concretes, surface protection systems) — 12 laboratories in PCA scopes, Tests in the laboratory and in situ (AB 023: coatings on concrete, also in situ), Renders and mortars (AB 023), renders with organic binders (AB 054) — according to the scopes of the laboratories.
At a glance
- Standard: PN-EN 1542:2000 (wersja polska; wprowadza EN 1542:1999 [IDT])
- Category: Construction
- Procedure steps: 3
- STATUS (status of PKN cards as of 08.10.2026): PN-EN 1542:2000 (Polish version) current; introduces EN 1542:1999
- Edition (from the PKN card): PN-EN 1542:2000, 12 pages, KT 274 Concrete, ICS 91.080.40, 91.100.30
- Scope of application (PKN card): grouts, mortars, concretes and surface protection systems for the protection and repair of concrete; thickness during the test up to 50 mm
Overview
WHAT THE STANDARD COVERS. Scope from the PKN card of PN-EN 1542:2000, in full (our translation): "A method is specified for measuring the bond strength, of products and systems with a maximum thickness during the test of 50 mm, by pull-off of grouts, mortars, concretes and surface protection systems used for the protection and repair of concrete" (no full stop on the card). We did not have the text of the standard — we know the course of the test (core drilling, size of the disc, adhesive, rate of force increase, assessment of the place of failure, formula) only to the extent given in the accreditation scopes of the laboratories. The title of the standard begins in the same way as the titles of the EN 1504 standards on products for the protection and repair of concrete; the sample extract of EN 1504-2:2004 (surface protection systems for concrete) lists it in the normative references as the measurement of bond strength by pull-off.
STATUS (status of PKN cards as of 08.10.2026). The card of PN-EN 1542:2000 (Polish version) has no withdrawal label: title "Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures -- Test methods -- Measurement of bond strength by pull-off" (our translation), publication 25-08-2000, 12 pages, price group F, Construction and Building Structures Sector, KT 274 Concrete, "Introduces: EN 1542:1999 [IDT]", ICS 91.080.40 and 91.100.30, without the fields "Replaces" and "Replaced by". PKN search, term "EN 1542" (08.10.2026): 43 items, only this one with the number 1542.
HOW MANY LABORATORIES AND IN WHAT FORM (copy of the accreditation scope database and current PCA documents, read on 08.10.2026). Number 1542 appears in 14 records at 12 laboratories; in the current PCA documents (issues from 20.08.2025 to 18.08.2026) — in 14 entries at the same laboratories (AB 023 and AB 054 have two each); no entry is suspended. Notations: "PN-EN 1542:2000" — 10 laboratories (AB 1424 in one cell with PN-EN ISO 4624:2023-11 "Method B"), "PN-EN 1542" without a year — AB 023 and AB 054. The "Laboratories" tab ("PN-EN 1542") shows all 12 laboratories.
WHAT THE LABORATORIES TEST (PCA documents). Quantity: adhesion, bond strength by pull-off or pull-off strength; technique — pull-off method. Subject: products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures (AB 054, AB 535, AB 804, AB 1110, AB 1354, AB 1470, AB 1527, AB 1641, AB 1783, AB 1806); AB 023 — coatings on concrete (discs 5 cm in diameter, "also in situ", force range 0.2–25 kN) and renders and mortars (discs 50 mm, 0.2–25 kN); AB 054 — also renders with organic binders; AB 1424 — concrete, mortars, coatings on mineral substrates, "pull-off strength from a concrete substrate", force range 0.11–6.17 kN.
WHERE A SEEMINGLY CORRECT RESULT IS EASY TO GET. First — force versus bond strength: the scopes of the laboratories give the force in kN (11 of the 12 laboratories), while bond strength is the force related to the area of the disc — a result in MPa, "Przyczepność [MPa] (z obliczeń)" [bond strength [MPa] (calculated)], appears only in the scope of AB 1110; a result in kN without the diameter of the disc is not comparable with a requirement in MPa (N/mm²). Second — thickness: the standard applies to layers with a thickness during the test of up to 50 mm; this method does not cover a thicker layer. Third — another subject: renders with organic binders (AB 054) and coatings on mineral substrates (AB 1424) are not products for the protection and repair of concrete within the meaning of the title of the standard — for such a test the report should state on what basis this method was used (e.g. a reference in the product standard). Fourth — two methods in one cell: PN-EN 1542 and PN-EN ISO 4624 (pull-off test of paint coatings, described in a separate entry of this database) are different documents — the result must be attributed to one of them.
WHAT WE DO NOT GIVE. We did not have the text of the standard — we do not give the diameter of the disc according to the standard, the method of core drilling, the type of adhesive, the rate of loading, the number of determinations, the classification of the modes of failure, the criteria for rejecting a result or the formula. We do not give in this entry the bond strength requirements for individual products (e.g. in EN 1504) — from this family we read only the normative references of EN 1504-2.
Method principle
A disc is bonded to the surface of the layer tested (grout, mortar, concrete or surface protection system) on a concrete substrate and pulled off with a force perpendicular to the surface, measuring the failure force; bond strength is the force related to the area of the disc (this is how AB 1110 describes the result: "Przyczepność [MPa] (z obliczeń)" [bond strength [MPa] (calculated)]; PKN card: measurement of bond strength by pull-off of products and systems with a thickness during the test of up to 50 mm). WE DO NOT GIVE the test parameters — we did not have the text of the standard.
Applications
- Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures (grouts, mortars, repair concretes, surface protection systems) — 12 laboratories in PCA scopes
- Tests in the laboratory and in situ (AB 023: coatings on concrete, also in situ)
- Renders and mortars (AB 023), renders with organic binders (AB 054) — according to the scopes of the laboratories
Key parameters
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| STATUS (status of PKN cards as of 08.10.2026) | PN-EN 1542:2000 (Polish version) current; introduces EN 1542:1999 |
| Edition (from the PKN card) | PN-EN 1542:2000, 12 pages, KT 274 Concrete, ICS 91.080.40, 91.100.30 |
| Scope of application (PKN card) | grouts, mortars, concretes and surface protection systems for the protection and repair of concrete; thickness during the test up to 50 mm |
| Force ranges in accreditation scopes | AB 023: 0.2–25 kN (discs 50 mm in diameter); AB 054: 0.5–25.0 kN (products for protection and repair) and 0.1–15.0 kN (renders with organic binders); AB 535: 0.5–16 kN; AB 804: 0.3–16 kN; AB 1110, AB 1354, AB 1641 and AB 1783: 1–16 kN; AB 1470: 1–10 kN; AB 1527: 0.4–10 kN; AB 1424: 0.11–6.17 kN; AB 1806 gives no range |
| Coverage in accreditation scopes (read on 08.10.2026) | 12 laboratories, 14 records in the database copy, 14 entries in PCA, no suspended entries; "Laboratories" tab — "PN-EN 1542" 12 laboratories |
Standard
- Standard number
- PN-EN 1542:2000 (wersja polska; wprowadza EN 1542:1999 [IDT])
- Title (PL)
- Wyroby i systemy do ochrony i napraw konstrukcji betonowych — Metody badań — Pomiar przyczepności przez odrywanie
- Title (EN)
- Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures — Test methods — Measurement of bond strength by pull-off
Step-by-step procedure
-
Preparation
Product or system applied to a concrete substrate, thickness during the test up to 50 mm (PKN card); WE DO NOT GIVE the preparation of the specimen and the core drilling.
-
Pull-off
Pull off the bonded disc with a force perpendicular to the surface and record the failure force; WE DO NOT GIVE the rate of loading.
-
Result
Bond strength as the force related to the area of the disc, with a description of the place of failure; WE DO NOT GIVE the formula and the classification of failures. PN-EN 1542:2000 current (status of PKN cards as of 08.10.2026).
Required equipment and apparatus
| Equipment | Example | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| Pull-off force measuring instrument | In accreditation scopes the upper limit ranges from 6.17 kN (AB 1424) to 25 kN (AB 023, AB 054) — list in the key parameters; WE DO NOT GIVE the requirements of the standard | — |
| Pull-off discs | AB 023: diameter 50 mm; WE DO NOT GIVE the diameter according to the standard | — |
Reagents, media and consumables
| Reagent | CAS | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Adhesive for fixing the discs | — | WE DO NOT GIVE the type and curing time (we did not have the text of the standard) |
Health and safety (OHS)
- Work with adhesives (usually resins) — gloves and eye protection according to the safety data sheets
- TECHNICAL NOTE: a result in kN without the area of the disc is not bond strength; the standard applies to layers up to 50 mm on concrete
Frequently asked questions
Which standard describes this test?
The test is performed according to PN-EN 1542:2000 (wersja polska; wprowadza EN 1542:1999 [IDT]) — “Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures — Test methods — Measurement of bond strength by pull-off”.
How does this method work?
A disc is bonded to the surface of the layer tested (grout, mortar, concrete or surface protection system) on a concrete substrate and pulled off with a force perpendicular to the surface, measuring the failure force; bond strength is the force related to the area of the disc (this is how AB 1110 describes the result: "Przyczepność [MPa] (z obliczeń)" [bond strength [MPa] (calculated)]; PKN card: measurement of bond strength by pull-off of products and systems with a thickness during the test of up to 50 mm). WE DO NOT GIVE the test parameters — we did not have the text of the standard.
What is the measuring range and accuracy?
STATUS (status of PKN cards as of 08.10.2026): PN-EN 1542:2000 (Polish version) current; introduces EN 1542:1999; Edition (from the PKN card): PN-EN 1542:2000, 12 pages, KT 274 Concrete, ICS 91.080.40, 91.100.30; Scope of application (PKN card): grouts, mortars, concretes and surface protection systems for the protection and repair of concrete; thickness during the test up to 50 mm; Force ranges in accreditation scopes: AB 023: 0.2–25 kN (discs 50 mm in diameter); AB 054: 0.5–25.0 kN (products for protection and repair) and 0.1–15.0 kN (renders with organic binders); AB 535: 0.5–16 kN; AB 804: 0.3–16 kN; AB 1110, AB 1354, AB 1641 and AB 1783: 1–16 kN; AB 1470: 1–10 kN; AB 1527: 0.4–10 kN; AB 1424: 0.11–6.17 kN; AB 1806 gives no range.
How long does the test take?
The procedure comprises 3 steps. The standard does not give a duration for every stage — the laboratory's own procedure decides.
What equipment is required?
Pull-off force measuring instrument, Pull-off discs.
Where is this test used?
Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures (grouts, mortars, repair concretes, surface protection systems) — 12 laboratories in PCA scopes; Tests in the laboratory and in situ (AB 023: coatings on concrete, also in situ); Renders and mortars (AB 023), renders with organic binders (AB 054) — according to the scopes of the laboratories.
What safety precautions apply?
Work with adhesives (usually resins) — gloves and eye protection according to the safety data sheets; TECHNICAL NOTE: a result in kN without the area of the disc is not bond strength; the standard applies to layers up to 50 mm on concrete.
Which laboratory can perform this test?
The test is performed by laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. On LabCoda you can find them by the standard number PN-EN 1542.