SIST EN 1770:2000

Overview - EN 1770:1998 (CEN)

EN 1770:1998 is a European Standard from CEN that specifies test methods for determining the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of hardened structural bonding agents used in concrete repair and protection. The standard defines two accepted measurement approaches: a continuous thermomechanical analysis technique and an alternative prism-based method. It applies to bonding agents (and in certain cases to repair mortars and surface protection systems) formulated with fillers up to 4 mm.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope: Methods for measuring linear thermal expansion of hardened bonding agents used with concrete structures.
• Method A - Thermomechanical analysis (TMA):
  • Provides a continuous measurement of linear thermal expansion with thermomechanical analysis techniques.
  • Can also be applied to surface protection systems where continuous data are beneficial.
• Method B - Prism method:
  • Uses prismatic specimens sized 40 mm × 40 mm × 160 mm for discrete measurements.
  • Also suitable for repair mortars when the prism geometry is representative.
• Material limits: Both methods are suitable for bonding agents formulated with fillers up to 4 mm in size.
• Intended output: Determination of linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) for use in material characterization, specification, and quality control.

Applications and practical value

EN 1770 is intended for use by:

• Materials and testing laboratories performing CTE measurements for product certification and quality assurance.
• Manufacturers of structural bonding agents, repair mortars, and surface protection systems during product development and batch control.
• Specifying engineers and contractors who need CTE data to check compatibility between repair products and concrete substrates.
• Researchers studying thermal compatibility, shrinkage, and durability of repair materials.

Practical benefits:

• Ensures thermal compatibility between repair products and concrete to reduce risk of cracking, delamination, or premature failure.
• Supports product selection and specification for climate-exposed structures where thermal movement is significant.
• Provides repeatable test procedures for regulatory compliance, performance claims, and comparative assessments.

Related standards

• EN 1770 complements other CEN standards addressing products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures, and standards for mechanical and durability testing of repair materials. For project specifications, combine CTE data from EN 1770 with structural and environmental design requirements.

Keywords: EN 1770, coefficient of thermal expansion, thermal expansion, thermomechanical analysis, bonding agents, repair mortar, surface protection systems, CEN, concrete repair, test methods.