EN 998 Specification for Masonry Mortar

The " EN 998 Specification for mortar for masonry," a European standard , consists of sub-sections published under the same title. Specifically,

• The standard “EN 998-1 Part 1: Plaster and plaster mortar” describes the definitions and final performance requirements for factory-made plaster/gypsum mortars based on inorganic binders for external (plaster) and internal (plaster) use on walls, ceilings, columns and partitions.

This standard provides for the assessment and verification of product performance continuity against this standard. A marking requirement is included for products covered by this standard. However, this standard does not cover mortars in which calcium sulfate binder is the primary active binder. Calcium sulfate binder can be used as an additional binder in conjunction with air lime. If air lime is the primary active binder, plaster/gypsum mortar is covered by this standard. If calcium sulfate binder is the primary active binder, the mortar is covered by EN 13279.

Special fire-resistant and acoustic mortars, mortars for structural repair and surface treatment of building elements, e.g. smoothing or remedial materials, paints, coatings, thin-sheet organic plasters/gypsum boards and prefabricated units (e.g. plasterboards) are outside the scope of this standard.

This standard covers the plaster/plasterboard mortars defined herein, excluding site-made plaster/plasterboard mortars. However, this standard may be used in conjunction with codes of practice and national specifications covering site-made mortars.

For the purposes of this standard, plaster mortar is a mixture of one or more inorganic binders, aggregates, water, and sometimes additives or additions, and is used as either exterior or interior plasters. Fresh plaster mortar is a mortar that is completely mixed and ready for use. Engineered plaster mortar refers to a mortar whose composition and production method are selected by the manufacturer to achieve the specified properties (performance concept), while prescribed plaster mortar refers to a mortar made in predetermined proportions whose properties are assumed from the specified ratio of ingredients (recipe concept).

• The standard “EN 998-2 Part 2: Masonry mortar” describes the requirements for factory-produced masonry mortars (bedding, consolidation and grouting) for use in walls, columns and partitions (e.g. facing and rendered masonry, load-bearing or non-load-bearing masonry structures for building and civil engineering).

This standard defines performance for fresh mortars with respect to workable life, chloride content, air content, density and setting time (for thin-bed mortars only). For hardened mortars, it defines performance for compressive strength, bond strength and density, measured according to relevant test methods contained in separate European standards.

This standard enables the assessment of product conformity with this European standard. Marking requirements are included for products covered by this European standard.

This standard covers the masonry mortars defined herein, excluding site-produced mortars. However, this standard may be used in conjunction with codes of practice and national specifications that cover site-produced mortars.

For the purposes of this standard, masonry mortar refers to a mixture of one or more inorganic binders, aggregates, water, and sometimes additives or admixtures for bedding, bonding, and grouting. Fresh masonry mortar is a mortar that is completely mixed and ready for use. Engineered masonry mortar refers to a mortar whose composition and production method are selected by the manufacturer to achieve the specified properties (performance concept), while prescribed masonry mortar refers to a mortar made in predetermined proportions and whose properties are assumed from the specified ratio of ingredients (recipe concept).

• The standard "EN 998-3 Part 3: Plaster and plaster mortar containing organic polymer binders" is applicable to factory-made plaster/render products based on organic polymer binders as the primary binder for exterior plaster and interior plaster systems used on walls, ceilings, columns, and partitions in accordance with EN 13914-2 and CEN/TR 15123. This standard also applies to silicate-, silane-, or siloxane-based plasters and silicone binders, which are sometimes considered mineral binders. Mineral binders may be used as additives.

This standard is applicable to all products for external or internal masonry and concrete construction that have a primary protective function. This includes products for external thermal insulation composite systems if they also meet the specifications of EN 13499 or EN 13500.

This standard includes definitions and final performance requirements. It specifies construction products and systems for the protection and decoration of exterior and interior, new and old, coated or uncoated masonry and concrete substrates. It includes relevant characteristic categories to more precisely identify different product types.

This standard does not apply to mortars or coating products in which the mineral binder (e.g. cement, lime, calcium sulphate) is the basic active binding agent, or to paints and coatings according to standard EN 1062-1.

This standard does not include recommendations for the design and installation of plastering/plastering products. However, this standard, in conjunction with codes of practice and national specifications for the execution of work, may be used to describe products.

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