EN 12039 Granule Adhesion Test for Bitumen Roofing Sheets | UnitedTest Granule Adhesion Brushing Tester

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EN 12039 Granule Adhesion Tester | Bitumen Roof Waterproofing Sheets | UnitedTest

EN 12039 specifies brushing abrasion testing to measure mineral granule adhesion strength on bitumen roof waterproofing sheets. UnitedTest manufactures EN 12039 compliant test machines for roofing material quality control and durability verification.

EN 12039 is a key European standard for flexible waterproofing sheets, specifically focusing on bitumen-based roof waterproofing materials. The standard establishes a professional brushing-abrasion test method designed to quantitatively evaluate the adhesion firmness of mineral granules attached to factory-produced bituminous roofing sheets.

Mineral granules serve as a critical protective layer for bitumen roof sheets, providing UV resistance, weather durability and surface anti-slip performance. EN 12039 testing effectively assesses granule bonding stability, simulating long-term outdoor abrasion and wear conditions to prevent granule shedding, material aging and waterproofing failure. Accurate adhesion test results ensure reliable roofing system performance and extended service life for construction waterproofing projects.

UnitedTest develops and manufactures high-precision EN 12039 granule adhesion testing machines, fully compliant with standard brushing abrasion test protocols. Our professional test equipment delivers stable abrasion control and accurate test data, ideal for bitumen waterproofing sheet production quality inspection, material performance verification and construction material certification.

Test Principle

A standardised cyclic brushing test simulates surface abrasion. The mass loss of granules brushed off the specimen is compared against the original granule mass per unit area of the same roll material. Granule adhesion is calculated as a percentage value based on mass difference before‑and‑after brushing.

Test Specimen Details

Brushing‑test specimens: 5 replicate strips, (50 ± 1) mm width, minimum length 285 mm, cut along the machine‑length direction of bitumen roll.

B specimens (for original granule mass G₀: cut from same production roll; avoid roll’s first/last metre length and 100 mm from roll edges. Divide roll length equally into three third‑sections; two pieces from each third (100 × 100 mm or 70 × 50 mm). These specimens measure baseline granule loading per square metre for calculation.

Test Equipment required for EN 12039 Granule Adhesion Test for Bitumen Roofing Sheets

Granule Adhesion Abrasion Tester

delivers reciprocating linear motion; holds specimens with clamps ≥ 50 mm width.

Replaceable polyamide‑66 brush block: 22 holes, each with 22 yarns of 0.80 mm diameter; yarn projection length (16 ± 2) mm; effective loaded contact dimension 80 mm × 25 mm.

One brush serves maximum 100 tests, or retired if yarn projection drops below 13 mm.

Tools

Analytical balance: readability 0.01 g.

Cutting / die‑cutting machine: prepare strip specimens of defined width.

Conditioning chamber: controlled climate at (23 ± 2) °C, relative humidity (50 ± 20) %.

Household vacuum cleaner (500 W), fitted with a 50 mm wide nozzle, for removing loose surface granules.

Soxhlet hot‑extraction apparatus (Annex B, normative): for separating original granules from bitumen matrix.

315 μm test sieve complying with ISO 3310‑1: for granule separation.

Organic solvent: e.g. toluene, trichloroethylene or dichloromethane for bitumen dissolution.

Test Parameters

Brush applied contact force	(21.5 ± 0.5) N
Brush axis movement amplitude A	(200 ± 20) mm
Brushing cycles	50 full forward‑return cycles
Time for completing 50 cycles	(55 ± 5) s
Conditioning temperature	(23 ± 2) °C
Conditioning relative humidity	(50 ± 20) %
Conditioning duration	(24 ± 0.5) h

Effective brushed area B = (A+80) ×25 mm², converted to m² for calculation.

Step-by-Step Test Procedures of EN 12039 Granule Adhesion Test for Bitumen Roofing Sheets

Prepare five brushing specimens and Annex B reference specimens from the same roll. Condition all test pieces.
Vacuum‑remove loose granules, weigh each brushing specimen to record pre‑brush mass M_1i.
Determine original granule mass per m² G₀ via hot‑extraction method in normative Annex B: dissolve bitumen with solvent, dry residue, sieve and weigh recovered granules to calculate average G₀ for the roll section.
Clamp conditioned specimen securely on brushing machine; orient replaceable brush along specimen length. Perform exactly 50 brushing cycles.
After brushing, take out specimen, vacuum clean loose detached granules again, weigh to get post‑brush mass M_2i. Repeat for all five replicates.
Compute granule adhesion percentage for each specimen using formula

EN 12039 Granule Adhesion Test for Bitumen Roofing Sheets

Industry / Application Fields

Manufacturers of mineral-granule-surfaced (slate/chip/coloured sand) bitumen roofing membranes — factory production control (FPC), batch release and formulation checks (granule embedment depth, coating temperature, cooling rate, binder grade).
Third-party / notified testing laboratories performing Initial Type Testing (ITT) and CE-marking conformity assessment under EN 13707.
Certification & approval bodies (e.g. SINTEF Technical Approval for roofing membranes) setting minimum performance tables that include "Adhesion of granules – EN 12039".
Specifiers, contractors and site QA — incoming-goods verification for exposed (non-ballasted) cap sheets.
R&D / durability studies — EN 12039 brushing is routinely used after artificial ageing (EN 1296 heat ageing, EN 1297 UV + heat + water, water immersion) to quantify how adhesion degrades; published work shows APP-modified membranes and water conditioning produce the greatest granule loss.
Adjacent uses: other bituminous flexible sheets where a granule/mineral self-protection layer is relevant.

Related Test Standard

EN 12039	Flexible sheets for waterproofing - Bitumen sheets for roof waterproofing - Determination of adhesion of granules
ASTM D4977	Standard Test Method for Granule Adhesion to Mineral-Surfaced Roofing by Abrasion
GB/T 328.17	Test methods for building sheets for waterproofing - Part 17: Bitumen sheets for waterproofing-adhesion of granules
ASTM D6225	Standard Test Method for Granule Cover of Mineral‑Surfaced Roofing – determines the hiding power of granules after an abrasion test (often used together with D4977 to assess exposed asphalt area).
EN 13707	Reinforced bitumen sheets for roof waterproofing – Definitions and characteristics: "adhesion of granules" is a listed characteristic tested by EN 12039; industry sources report a maximum 30 % loss acceptance limit under EN 13707-based specifications (the limit lives in the product standard/specification, not in EN 12039 itself).
EN 544	Mineral-surfaced bitumen shingles; some approval schemes (e.g. SINTEF) apply a modified EN 544 granule-loss measurement in grams instead of the EN 12039 percentage.

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ASTM D4977 granule adhesion test machine is professional laboratory instrument to quantify the adhesion quality of mineral granules to coating asphalt on asphalt shingles and mineral-surfaced roofing sheets.

Q1: What is EN 12039 test used for?

A1: EN 12039 is a European brushing‑abrasion laboratory test to measure how strongly mineral surface granules bond onto factory‑produced bituminous roofing membranes. It quantifies granule mass loss under standardized cyclic brushing and calculates granule adhesion in percentage value. It is mainly for bitumen roof waterproof sheets, and may apply for other relevant bituminous flexible sheet applications.

Q2: Why is EN 12039 granule adhesion test important for bitumen roofing membranes?

A2: Mineral granules deliver critical functions for roof bitumen sheets: UV‑protection, weather ageing resistance, fire‑performance and anti‑slip safety for roof maintenance. Poor granule adhesion causes granule shedding. Once granules fall off, bare bitumen quickly degrades under sunlight, leading to cracking, shortening roof service life and raising on‑site failure risks. This lab test simulates surface abrasion to verify manufacturing quality before real‑world installation.

Q3: What is Annex B for? Can I skip Annex B procedure?

A3: Annex B is normative (mandatory). It measures initial granule mass loading G₀ (g/m²) by Soxhlet hot extraction to dissolve bitumen and recover granules. You cannot skip Annex B, since the final adhesion percentage calculation needs this baseline granule mass value from the same roll section

Q4: How many test specimens do I need for one complete EN 12039 test?

A4: Five replicate strip specimens for brushing test. Additional square reference specimens for Annex B granule‑loading measurement: take two pieces from each of three equal‑length sections of the product roll. Avoid roll start/end 1 metre and 100 mm from roll edges for sampling, per EN 13416 sampling rules.

Q5: Does EN 12039 give repeatability and reproducibility precision data?

A5: No. The standard explicitly states no inter‑laboratory round‑robin test data was available at publication. Precision values (r, R) are not specified in EN 12039:2016. Laboratories should strictly follow every procedure step to minimise test deviation.

Q6: What are common test‑error sources for EN 12039?

A6:

Worn‑out brush (yarn projection shorter than 13 mm) leads to incorrect abrasion effect.
Incorrect brush contact force, wrong cycle time (not 55 ± 5 s for 50 cycles).
Improper vacuum cleaning: removing embedded granules besides loose surface granules.
Non‑representative sampling: testing material near roll edges or roll start/end.
Ignoring Annex B baseline granule mass and using assumed granule loading value instead of real measured G₀.

Q7. How does EN 12039 differ from ASTM D4977?

A7: Same concept (brush abrasion, 50 cycles, weigh before/after), but different hardware and reporting, so results are not interchangeable:

	EN 12039	ASTM D4977
Bristles	PA66, Ø 0.80 mm, 22 yarns/hole	Tempered steel wire, Ø 0.305 mm, 40 wires/hole
Normal force	21.5 ± 0.5 N	2268 ± 7 g (≈ 22.2 N)
Stroke	200 ± 20 mm	152 ± 6 mm
Duration	50 cycles in 55 ± 5 s	50 cycles in 60–70 s
Specimen	50 mm × ≥ 285 mm	50.8 mm × 229 mm
Result	% loss vs initial granule mass (G₀)	granule loss in grams

Q8. Can the same machine cover other granule-adhesion methods?

A8: Yes — if it offers programmable stroke, adjustable normal force, interchangeable brushes and cycle counting, one platform can be configured for EN 12039 (PA66 brush, 200 mm, 21.5 N) and for ASTM D4977 (steel-wire brush, 152 mm, 2268 g). This is why buyers increasingly ask for a dual-standard granule adhesion tester.

Q9: Why choose EN 12039 Granule Adhesion Brushing Tester from UnitedTest?

A9: UnitedTest EN 12039 Granule Adhesion Tester for bitumen roofing waterproof sheets. Fully complies with BS EN 12039:2016 standard, measures mineral granule bonding strength by cyclic brushing test. Ideal for CE certification, lab quality control & bitumen membrane R&D. OEM available.

UnitedTest is professional manufacturer of EN 12039 Granule Adhesion Tester, also called bitumen sheet brushing tester for roof waterproofing flexible sheets. Our test instrument fully meets requirements of BS EN 12039:2016, the European standard for determination of adhesion of granules for factory‑made bituminous roofing sheetsMade-in-Ch....

This lab testing equipment simulates surface abrasion via automatic reciprocating brushing movement, applying exact 21.5 ± 0.5 N contact force, 200 ± 20 mm amplitude, completing 50 brushing cycles within 55 ± 5 seconds, to evaluate granule loss and granule adhesion performance of mineral‑surfaced bitumen waterproof membranes.

Key Features of UnitedTest EN 12039 Brushing Tester

✅ Strictly conforms to EN 12039:2016 clause 5 apparatus requirements

✅ High‑precision force control, accurate cycle counting & time control

✅ Standard replaceable PA66 polyamide‑66 test brush as per Annex A

✅ Heavy‑duty specimen clamping fixture (≥ 50 mm width) to hold bitumen sheet samples firmly

✅ PLC automatic operation, easy parameter setting for laboratory QC and third‑party test labs

✅ Stable mechanical structure, low noise, long service life

✅ OEM & custom service available for material testing laboratories and waterproofing factories

Typical ApplicationBitumen roofing membrane production quality control, CE marking test for European market, R&D of new granule‑surfaced bitumen waterproof sheets, incoming material inspection, third‑party building‑material laboratory testing.

If you are looking for reliable EN 12039 test machine, bitumen sheet granule adhesion tester, roofing waterproofing membrane brushing abrasion tester, UnitedTest delivers complete solution including instrument, standard spare brushes, operation manual supporting full EN 12039 test workflow (sampling, brushing test, result calculation). Contact UnitedTest for quotation and technical datasheet.

We offer customization to meet your specific needs. Our expert team will collaborate with you to develop the perfect product for you