Overview
ISO 27528:2009 specifies a laboratory method for measuring the resistance to axial withdrawal of screws from wood-based panels of thickness 15 mm and greater. The standard defines how to prepare test pieces, condition samples, insert screws (face and edge tests), apply an axial load, and record the maximum pull-out force. It establishes fastener holding performance data useful for building, furniture, cabinet making, joinery and other wood-panel applications.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Tests apply to panels ≥ 15 mm; thinner panels can be laminated to achieve the minimum thickness.
- Test principle: Measure the maximum axial force required to extract a screw from the face or edge of a panel.
- Apparatus:
- Testing machine with load measurement accuracy of 1%.
- Grip/stirrup to apply axial load without significant moment.
- Metal jig to restrain test piece (no restraint closer than 3× screw diameter).
- Test pieces & sampling:
- Cut and sample according to ISO 16999 and ISO 9424 requirements.
- Minimum piece size at least 75 mm × 50 mm.
- Conditioning:
- Standard conditioning at (20 ± 2) °C and (65 ± 5) % RH until constant mass (two weighings 24 h apart within 0.1%).
- Alternative moisture conditions allowed if reported.
- Screws & pilot holes:
- Use screws common to the application; report full screw description (size, length, root diameter, thread pitch).
- Face test: thread embedded (full diameter) to (11 ± 0.5) mm.
- Edge test: thread embedded to (15 ± 0.5) mm.
- Pilot hole diameter per manufacturer or next drill size below screw root diameter; record pilot hole details.
- Procedure & measurement:
- Apply axial load so maximum is reached in (60 ± 30) s.
- Record maximum load to nearest 10 N.
- Report separate withdrawal strengths for face and edges and for panel orthogonal directions (unless combinable).
- Test report: Must include lab ID, sampling, panel type/thickness, conditioning, screw details, pilot hole, apparatus, all individual results and any deviations.
Applications and users
ISO 27528:2009 is used by:
- Test laboratories performing panel testing and fastener pull-out/screw withdrawal tests.
- Manufacturers of plywood, MDF, particleboard, OSB and furniture components for quality control and product specification.
- Designers, joiners and engineers selecting fasteners for load-bearing or assembly applications who need empirical fastener holding performance data.
- Standards developers and certification bodies specifying performance criteria.
Related standards
Keywords: ISO 27528:2009, wood-based panels, screw withdrawal resistance, fastener holding performance, panel testing, face withdrawal, edge withdrawal, conditioning, screw pull-out.
