KENYA STANDARD DKS 2129:2008  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tile adhesive for marble, granite, ceramic 
and porcelain — Cement based — 
Specification 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Public Review Draft December 2008 
 DKS 2129:2007  
 
ii © KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION 
The following organizations were represented on the Technical Committee:  
Mangat I B Patel & partners 
MORPW 
Athi River Mining Ltd. 
Bamburi Cement Ltd. 
C. B. Yongo & Associates 
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology — Department of Civil Engineering 
Howard Humphreys (East Africa) Ltd. 
Ministry of Roads and Public Works  
University of Nairobi — Department of Civil Engineeri ng 
Wanjohi Consulting Engineers 
Kenya Bureau of Standards — Secretariat 
 
 
 
 
 
REVISION OF KENYA STANDARDS 
 
In order to keep abreast of progress in industry, Ken ya Standards shall be regularly reviewed. Suggestions 
for improvements to published standards, addressed to  the Managing Director, Kenya Bureau of Standards, 
are welcome. 
 
 
 
 
 
© Kenya Bureau of Standards, 2008 
 
Copyright:  Users are reminded that by virtue of se ction 6 of the Copyright Act, Cap. 130 of the Laws of Kenya, copyright subsists in all 
Kenya Standards and except as provided under section  7 of this Act, no Kenya Standard produced by Kenya Bur eau of Standards may 
be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system in any form or transmitted by any means without prior perm ission in writing from the 
Managing Director. 
 
 
 
 KENYA STANDARD  DKS 2129:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  iii   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tile adhesive for marble, granite, ceramic 
and porcelain — Cement based — 
Specification 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Public Review Draft 
 
 
KENYA BUREAU OF STANDARDS (KEBS) 
Head  Office:  P.O. Box 54974, Nairobi-00200, Tel.: (+254  020) 60 5490, 602350, Fax: (+254 020)  604031 
E-Mail: info@kebs.org,  Web:http://www.kebs.org  
 
Coast Region    Lake Region         North Rift Regi on  
P.O. Box 99376, Mombasa-80100  P.O. Box 2949, Kisum u-40100       P.O. Box 2138, Nakuru-20100 
Tel.: (+254  041) 229563, 230939/40 Tel.: (+254 057 ) 23549, 22396       Tel.: (+254 051) 210553, 21055 5 
Fax: (+254  041) 229448   Fax: (+254 057) 21814 DKS 2129:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  iv   
Foreword 
This Kenya standard was prepared by the Cement Technica l Committee under the guidance of the Civil 
Engineering Industry Standards Committee and it is in  accordance with the procedures of the Kenya Bureau 
of Standards. 
This standard on tile adhesive complements already exi sting standards on cement and was found necessary 
following technological development on cement based tile adhesive.  
Tile adhesive has wide application as it can be used to  fix tiles on any surface including glass. The produ ct is 
flexible and does not shrink or crank due to physical , thermal and moisture movement or temperature 
changes. Above all, it prevents crazing and shedding o f tiles. It is recommended to use tile grout to fill t ile 
joints once tile adhesive has been used to fix tile s to prevent seeping of water underneath the tiles.  
In the preparation of this Standard, reference was m ade to the following sources: 
 
Athi River Mining Ltd. 
 KS 1530, Adhesives for use with ceramic tiles — speci fication. 
 KS EA 18 – 1, Cement — specification. 
 BS EN 12004:2001, Adhesive for tiles — Definitions and specifications.  
 
Acknowledgement is hereby made for the assistance deri ved from these sources.  
 
Compliance with a Kenya Standard does not of itself confer immunity from legal obligations. 
 
 
 
 
 
Warning:   
 
This draft Kenya standard should not be used as a Ken ya standard until it has undergone all the required 
standards development procedures. 
 
 KENYA STANDARD DKS 2129:2008 
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved 1 Tile adhesive for marble, granite, ceramic and porc elain — Cement 
based — Specification 
1 Scope 
This Kenya Standard specifies performance requireme nts and test methods for cement based adhesive 
compounds which produce tough and high performance bonding on marble, granite, cement and porcelain 
tiles. 
2 Normative references 
The following referenced documents are indispensabl e in the application of this standard 
KS EAS 18 -1, Cement — Specification  
KS EAS 148-1, Testing of cements – Pt 1: Physical methods  
KS 1530, Adhesives for use with ceramic tiles — Specificatio ns  
KS 1738-1, Specification for ceramic floor and wall tiles – Pa rt 1: Definitions, classification, characteristics 
and marking  
KS 2167-1, Adhesives and grouts for tiles - Testing method – P t 1: Determination of transverse deformation 
for cementitious adhesives and grouts.  
KS 2167-7, Adhesives and grouts for tiles - Testing method – P t 7: — Concrete slabs for testing 
KS 2167-8, Adhesives and grouts for tiles - Testing method – P t 8: — Determination of slip for adhesives  
KS 2167-9, Adhesives and grouts for tiles - Testing method – P t 9: — Determination of shear adhesion 
strength of dispersion adhesives  
KS 2167-10, Adhesives and grouts for tiles - Testing method – P t 10: — Determination of wetting capability 
for adhesives  
KS 2167-11, Adhesives and grouts for tiles - Testing method – P t 11: — Determination of tensile adhesion 
strength for cementitious adhesives  
KS 2167-12, Adhesives and grouts for tiles - Testing method – P t 12: — Determination of shear adhesion 
strength of reaction resin adhesives 
ISO 9001,  Quality Management Systems  
3 Terms and definitions 
For the purposes of this standard the following def initions shall apply. 
3.1  
tile adhesive 
an inorganic Portland cement polymer material modif ied with aggregate particles and chemicals in the 
interfacial zone capable of fastening two other mat erials together by means of surface attachment 
3.2  
cemen t  
as defined in KS EAS 18 -1:2001, cement is a hydrau lic binder, i.e. a finely ground inorganic material  which, 
when mixed with water, forms a paste which sets and  hardens by means of hydration reactions and 
processes and which, after hardening, retains its s trength and stability even under water. 
 
Building material made by grinding calcined limesto ne and clay to fine powder, which can be mixed with  
water and poured to set as a solid mass or used as an ingredient in making mortar or concrete DKS 2129:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  2 3.3  
marble  
a natural stone product quarried from the earth. It  gets a distinctive shine from the polishing proces s it goes 
through.  Available in multiple finishes and a wide  variety of colours 
3.4  
granite  
a natural stone denser than marble. Granite is molt en lava that never rose above the surface of the ea rth. It 
is extremely durable and holds a polish. Available in polished, honed or flamed (rough) surfaces 
3.5  
porcelain 
a hard, white, translucent ceramic made by firing a  pure clay and then glazing it with variously color ed fusible 
materials 
3.6  
ceramic  
refers to the range of materials created by firing clay at a high temperature. In the context of mosai cs, this 
would include traditional ceramic tiles, pottery, a nd terracotta. Unglazed ceramic tends to be porous and 
brittle, but cinca (a high-fired unglazed porcelain ) is very hardwearing and water resistant. Technica lly, brick 
is also a ceramic material. 
3.7  
tile 
a thin, flat or convex slab of marble, granite or p orcelain material, laid in rows to cover walls, flo ors, and 
roofs. 
3.7.1  
glazed tile 
a tile that has an impervious facial finish compose d of glassy ceramic materials fused to the surface of the 
tile.  
3.7.2  
unglazed tile 
a hard, dense tile of uniform composition. No glaze  
3.7.3  
field tile 
the primary tile used to cover a wall or floor 
3.7.4  
wall and floor tiles  
tiles made out of ceramic (see KS 1738-1) or natura l and agglomerated stones 
3.7.5  
floor tile 
a ceramic tile or natural stone tile durable enough  to withstand traffic, abrasion 
3.7.6  
wall tile 
glazed tile with a body suitable for interior use. Not expected to withstand excessive impact or be su bject to 
freezing/thawing conditions. DKS 2129:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  3 3.8  
listel or listello   
a decorative border, primarily for walls 
3.9  
monocottura 
method of producing tile by a single firing in whic h body and glazes are fired in kilns at temperature s over 
2000 degrees 
3.10  
mosaics 
ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal or stone tile less  than six square inches. May come in squares, octag ons, 
hexagons or random shapes mounted for ease of insta llation  
3.11  
notched trowel 
a small hand tool with a handle and flat plate, use d for scooping and spreading tile adhesive 
 
 
Figure 1: Notched trowel 
 
3.12  
thin bed method 
method used for installing tiles onto a plane surfa ce with an adhesive. The adhesive is usually applie d with a 
trowel to obtain a layer and then combed with a not ched trowel to achieve the right thickness and plan arity. 
3.13  
fixing surface  
plane rigid surface upon which the tile is fixed 
3.14  
cementitious adhesive (CG) 
mixture of hydraulic binding agents, aggregates, an d organic additives, which is mixed with water or l iquid 
admix just before use DKS 2129:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  4 3.15  
tools and working methods 
3.15.1  
notched trowel 
toothed tool, which makes it possible to apply the adhesive as a series of ribs of a uniform thickness  onto the 
fixing surface and/or the reverse face of the tile 
3.15.2  
application to one surface only, “notched trowel” o r “floating” method 
adhesive applied only to the fixing surface, usuall y with a trowel to obtain a uniform layer and then combed 
with a notched trowel (see 3.18.1). The tiles are t hen fixed before a film forms on the surface of the  adhesive 
3.15.3  
application to both surfaces , “floating and butter ing” method 
adhesive applied to the fixing surface and to the r everse of the tiles. The combined layer of adhesive  does 
not exceed the maximum recommended thickness. The t iles are then fixed before a film forms on the surf ace 
of the adhesive. 
3.16  
Application properties 
3.16.1  
shelf life 
time of storage under stated conditions during whic h an adhesive may be expected to maintain its worki ng 
properties 
3.16.2  
maturing time 
interval between the time when the cementitious adh esive is mixed and the time when it is ready for us e 
3.16.3  
pot-life 
maximum time interval during which the adhesive can  be used after mixing 
3.16.4  
open time 
maximum interval after application at which tiles c an be embedded in the applied adhesive and meet the  
specified tensile adhesion strength requirement, wh ich is measured following  
3.16.5  
wetting capability 
ability of a combed adhesive layer to wet the tile,  which is measured following KS 2167-10 
3.16.6  
slip 
downward movement of a tile applied to a combed adh esive layer on a vertical or inclined surface, whic h is 
measured following KS 2167-8 
3.16.7  
adjustability 
maximum time interval after which the tile’s positi on in the adhesive layer can be adjusted without si gnificant 
loss of adhesion strength DKS 2129:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  5 3.17  
final properties 
3.17.1  
adhesion strength 
maximum strength per unit surface area which can be  measured by shear or tensile testing. It is measur ed 
following KS 2167-11, KS 2167-9 or KS 2167-12 depen ding on the type of adhesive 
3.17.2  
deformability 
capacity of a hardened adhesive to be deformed by s tresses between the tile and the fixing surface wit hout 
damage to the installed surface 
3.17.3  
transverse deformation 
deflection recorded at the centre when a beam of ha rdened adhesive is subjected to three point loading , 
used to evaluate the deformability of the adhesive It is measured following KS 2167-1. 
3.18  
failure pattern 
3.18.1  
adhesion failure (AF-S or AF-T) 
when failure occurs at the interface between adhesi ve and substrate (concrete slab) the notation AF-S is 
used; when it occurs between tile and adhesive the notation AF-T is used and in both cases the test va lues 
equal the adhesion strength – (see Figure B.1 and F igure B.2 in annex B). In some cases failure may oc cur 
in the adhesive layer between the tile and the pull -head plate. In this case the notation BT is used, (see 
Figure B.3), and the adhesion strength is greater t han the test value. The test should preferably be r epeated. 
3.18.2  
cohesive failure within the adhesive (CF-A) 
when failure occurs within the adhesive layer, see Figure B.4 
3.18.3  
cohesive failure in the substrate or in the tile (C F-S or CF-T) 
when failure occurs within the substrate the notati on CF-S is used (see Figure B.5); when it happens w ithin 
the body of the tile the notation CF-T is used (see  Figure B.6). In this case the strength of the adhe sive is 
greater than the test value. 
3.19  
fundamental characteristics 
characteristics that an adhesive must absolutely ha ve 
3.20  
optional characteristics 
3.20.1  
additional characteristics 
characteristics for specific service conditions whe re enhanced levels of performance are required 
3.20.2  
special characteristics  
characteristics of the adhesive which provide furth er information about its general performance DKS 2129:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  6 4 Designation/Classification 
Tile adhesive shall be classified into two differen t types/ formulations in accordance with intended a pplication 
as specified in Table 1. Normal setting and fast se tting adhesives. 
 
5 General requirements 
5.1 Application  
Tile adhesive shall be capable of application by a notched trowel and shall contain no lumps or foreig n 
matter. 
NOTE The tiles need not be wetted prior to the appl ication of the adhesive . 
 
5.2 Storage/stability 
Tile Adhesive shall be stored in a cool and moistur e free atmosphere In accordance with the manufactur er’s 
instructions. 
5.3 Requirements 
5.3.1 The adhesives, both normal setting and fast setting , shall comply with the requirements specified 
in Table 1. 
5.3.2 The optional characteristics are for special servic e conditions. 
5.3.3 For the characteristics of wetting capability (meas ured in accordance with KS 2167-10) and 
transverse deformation (measured in accordance with  KS 2167-1) there are no limit values, but it is le ft to 
the producer to declare the values to provide furth er information.  
5.3.4 The amount of water and/or liquid admix required fo r preparing the cementitious adhesive shall be 
the same for all tests. 
 DKS 2129:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  7 Table 1 — Requirements for cementitious adhesives 
 
FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS 
Characteristics for normal setting adhesives 
Characteristic Requirement Test Method 
Initial tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm 2 
Tensile adhesion strength after water 
immersion ≥ 0.5 N/mm 2 
Tensile adhesion strength after heat ageing  ≥ 0.5 N/mm 2 
Tensile adhesion strength after freeze thaw 
cycles ≥ 0.5 N/mm 2 KS 2167-11 
 
Open time: tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm 2 after not less than 20 min Annex A 
Characteristics for fast setting adhesives  
Characteristic Requirement Test Method 
Early tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm2 Ks 2167-11 
Open time: tensile adhesion strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm 2 after not less than 10 min Annex A 
All other requirements as tested for normal setting  adhesives  
OPTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS 
Special characteristics 
characteristics Requirement Test Method 
Slip ≥ 0.5 mm KS 2167-8 
Additional characteristics  
Characteristic Requirement Test Method 
High Initial tensile adhesion strength ≥ 1 N/mm 2 
High Tensile adhesion strength after water 
immersion ≥ 1 N/mm 2 
High Tensile adhesion strength after heat 
ageing ≥ 1 N/mm 2 
High Tensile adhesion strength after freeze 
thaw cycles ≥ 1 N/mm 2 KS 2167-11 
 
 
Extended open time: tensile adhesion 
strength ≥ 0.5 N/mm 2 after not less than 30 min Annex A 
 DKS 2129:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  8 6 Dimensional requirements 
The notched trowel thicknesses for adhesives shall comply with the dimensional requirements specified in 
Table 2 for the various sizes and types of tiles in dicated. 
 
Table 2 — Dimensional requirements 
 
4 x 4 6 x 6 10 x 10 12 x 12 16 x 16  
 
inches 
 
 
mm 
 100 x 100 150 x 150 250 x 250 300 x 300 400 x 400 
Tile type Notched trowel bed thickness 
mm 
Ceramic 3 3 6 9 12 
natural stone/ 
Quarry tile 3 6 9 12 12 
Concrete/ 
Terrazzo 3 6 9 12 12 
Mosaic/Glass 3 3 6 9 12 
Porcelain/ 
Vitrified 3 3 6 9 12 
Marble/Granite 6 6 9 9 15 
Brick 6 6 9 9 15 
 
7 Physical requirements 
7.1 The adhesives shall be of high bonding strength tha t ensures permanent installation and shall meet 
the test requirements specified in Table 3. 
Table 3 — Test requirements 
Compressive 
strength N/mm 2 Flexural Strength 
N/mm 2 Absorption Drying 
Shrinkage 
7 days 28 days 7 days 28 days 7 days 28 days 
≥ 5.5 % ≥ 9 ≥ 1.5 ≥ 2.0 25% 1% 
 DKS 2129:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  9 8 Evaluation of conformity  
8.1 Principle 
The scheme for the evaluation of conformity include s the following tasks: 
– initial tests; 
– factory production control (FPC); 
– registration and traceability. 
NOTE Manufacturers having a Quality System complyin g with ISO 9001 are assumed to meet the requirement s related to Factory 
Production Control systems by including this standa rd in their Quality System . 
 
8.2 Criteria of conformity 
Batch testing shall be carried out to control the q uality of the adhesive in accordance with Table 1 a nd 
requirements for physical tests specified in clause  7. A batch is defined as one production lot from a  single 
mix, which may be dispatched in a number of smaller  bags. 
 
9 Packaging and marking 
 
Tile adhesive shall be suitably packed in 25 kg or 50 kg bags. Each package shall be clearly labelled with the 
following information: 
i) The manufacturer’s name and/or trade mark 
ii) Nominal content by mass 
iii) The batch number 
iv) Number of this standard 
v) Type of Adhesive 
vi) Country of origin 
vii) The month and year in which the batch was manu factured, and statement to the effect that the 
adhesive has a shelf life of 12 months, when stored  in unopened bags in accordance with 
manufacturer’s instructions. 
viii) Precautionary instructions for use when affix ing tiles. 
ix) The safety precaution that  “For the safety and  health of those working with cementitious material s, it is 
advised that adequate protective gear (clothing, gl oves, boots, etc) should be used” 
x) A warning that freshly tiled floor using tile ad hesive should not be exposed to any traffic or use in any 
manner for a duration specified by the manufacturer . 
NOTE  In the designation of a adhesive, information about  special properties can be included when the produc t is intended for use in 
specific applications. 
This information shall be marked on the packaging a nd/or on the product’s technical data sheet. 
This does not remove the requirement that all manuf acturers claiming compliance with this standard sha ll 
state declared values for the properties of their p roducts, when required. DKS 2129:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  10  Annex A 
(normative) 
Determination of open time 
A 1 Scope 
This test method determines the open time of cerami c tile adhesives. 
It is applicable to all ceramic tile adhesives for internal or external tile installations on walls an d floors. 
This method does not contain performance requiremen ts or recommendations for the design and installati on 
of ceramic tiles. 
NOTE Ceramic tile adhesives may also be used for ot her types of tiles (natural and agglomerated stones , etc), where these do no 
adversely affect the stones. 
A 2 Sampling  
Take a 2 kg sample of the adhesive. 
A 3 Test conditions 
Standard conditions shall be (23 ± 2) ° C and (50 ± 5) % R.H. and the air circulation in the  testing a rea less 
than 0.2 m/s. 
A 4 Test materials 
Condition all test materials (adhesive, etc.) for a t least 24 h under standard conditions. The adhesiv e to be 
test shall be within its shelf life, where this is specified. 
A 5 Ceramic tiles 
The tiles shall be checked prior to conditioning to  ensure that they are new, clean, and dry. In addit ion they 
shall meet the following conditions: 
– Type PI: Porous body tile complying with KS 1738-1,   
– water absorption (15 ± 3) % by mass,  
– with plane adhering surface, cut to facial dimensio ns of (50 ± 1) mm x (50 ± 1) mm. 
A 6 Concrete slab 
The concrete slab shall conform to KS 2167-7. 
A 7 Apparatus 
A 7.1 A weight of less than 50 mm x 50 mm cross-sec tional area , capable of exerting a force of (20 ± 
0.05) N. 
A 7.2 Pull-head plates, square, metallic, with dimensions of (50 ± 1) mm x (50 ± 1) mm and a minimum 
thickness of 10 mm with a suitable fitting for conn ection to the test machine.  
A 7.3 A test machine , for direct pull tensile force test and with suita ble capacity and sensitivity for the 
test.  The machine shall be capable of applying the  load to the pull-head plate at  the rate of (250 ±  50) N/s 
through a suitable fitting that does not exert any bending force. 
 
 DKS 2129:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  11  A 8 Mixing of adhesive 
The amount of water and/or liquid admix required fo r preparing the adhesive shall be as stated by the 
adhesive manufacturer in parts by weight, i.e. liqu id to dry powder (if a range of values is given, th e average 
shall be used). 
Prepare a minimum quantity of 2 kg of the adhesive in a mixer of the type described in of KS EAS 148-1 , 
clause 3.2.2.3, using the speed settings (140 ± 5) rotations per minute and (62 ± 5) rotations per min ute 
planetary movement. 
Carry out the following procedure: 
— pour the liquid into the pan; 
— scatter the dry powder over the liquid; 
— mix for 30 s; 
— take out the mixing paddle; 
— scrape down the paddle and pan within 1 min. 
— replace the paddle and mix for 1 min. 
Let the adhesive mature in accordance with the adhe sive manufacturer’s instructions, and then mix for a 
further 15 s. 
In the case of ready-to-use dispersion adhesives or  reaction resin adhesives, the  manufacturer’s inst ructions 
shall be followed. 
A 9 Procedure 
Apply a thin layer of the adhesive, mixed in accord ance with B.8 to the concrete slab with a straight edge 
trowel.  Then apply a thicker layer and comb with a  notched trowel having 6 mm x 6 mm notches at 12 mm  
centres for cementitious adhesives and 4 mm x 4 mm notches at 8 mm centres for dispersion adhesives an d 
reaction resin adhesives. 
Hold the trowel at an angle of approximately 60 o to the substrate at a right angle to one edge of t he slab and 
drawn across the slab parallel to that edge (in a s traight line). 
After 5, 10, 20 and 30 min place at least ten test tiles of type PI, 50 mm apart, on the adhesive and load each 
tile with (20 ± 0.05) N for 30 s. 
After 27 days storage under standard conditions, bo nd the pull-head plates (see 6.2 ) to the tiles with a 
suitable high strength adhesive (e.g. epoxide adhes ive). 
After a further 24 h storage under standard conditi ons determine the tensile adhesion strength of the 
adhesive by applying a force increasing at a consta nt rate of (250 ± 50) N/s. 
A 10 Evaluation  and expression of results  
A 10.1  The individual tensile adhesion strengths are quot ed to 0.1 N/mm 2 using the following formula: 
L/A   =sA  
Where, 
 sA is the individual tensile adhesion strength in N/m m 2; 
 L is the total  tensile load in N; 
 A is the bonding area in mm 2 (2 500 mm 2). 
A 10.2  The tensile adhesion strength for each time interv al is determined as follows: DKS 2129:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  12  — determine the mean of the ten values; 
— discard the values falling out of the range of ± 20 % of the mean value; 
— if five or more values remain, determine the new mean. 
— Determine the mode of failure of the test units ( see KS EN 1322). 
A 10.3 The open time, in minutes, is the maximum time inte rval at which the adhesive meets the  tensile 
adhesion strength requirement defined in KS 1530. 
 
A 11 Test report 
The test report shall provide the following informa tion: 
 
i) number, title and issue of this Kenya Standard; 
ii) the place and date of sampling; 
iii) type of adhesive, commercial designation and m anufacturer’s name; 
iv) identification of test sample; 
v) handling and storage of samples before testing; 
vi) test conditions; 
vii) date of testing; 
viii) amount of water or liquid used for preparing the adhesive; 
ix) test results (individual and mean values and th e mode of failure); 
x) open time in minutes; 
xi) any other factor that could have influenced the  result DKS 2129:2008  
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved  13  Annex B 
(normative) 
Failure patterns 
 
 
 
 
 Figure B.1 
 
Adhesive failure between adhesive and 
substrate 
 (AF-S) 
 
 
 
 
 Figure B.2 
 
Adhesive failure between tile and adhesive  
 (AF-T) 
 
 
 
 Figure B.3 
 
Adhesive failure between tile & pull head plate 
 (BT) 
 
 
 
 Figure B.4 
 
Cohesive failure within the adhesive 
 (CF-A) 
 
 
 
 Figure B.5 
 
Cohesive failure within the substrate 
 (CF-S) 
 
 
 
 Figure B.6 
 
Cohesive failure within the tile 
 (CF-T) KENYA STANDARD DKS 2129:2008 
© KEBS 2008 — All rights reserved 1  
Key 
 
1 Pull head plate 
2 Tile 
3 Adhesive 
4 Substrate (Concrete slab)