Overview - EN ISO 6076:2023 (trowel notch sizes)
EN ISO 6076:2023 (ISO 6076:2023, corrected version 2023-09) specifies the dimensional characteristics and coding of notched trowels and notched strips used to apply adhesives, levelling compounds, wood flooring adhesives and tile mortars. The standard defines notch geometries, tolerances, material recommendations and a uniform notch size code system so manufacturers, specifiers and installers can identify and reproduce tool geometries reliably.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Specifies individual notch measurements and assigns codes used to label notched tools.
- Notch shapes: Triangular (including pointed), rectangular, U-shaped/round and semi-circular forms with illustrated profiles.
- Dimensional details: Core dimensions a (bridge/clearance), b (notch width), c (notch depth) and γ (notch angle). Table 2 lists standard ISO notch size codes (e.g., 01‑T, 16‑T, 46‑TS) with their dimensional values and a calculated geometric factor (groove area per unit length).
- Tolerances: a, b, (a + b), c ±0.1 mm; γ ±0.5°.
- Manufacturing radii: Inner points/angles are rounded (radius 0.2–0.3 mm, typical 0.25 mm).
- Material & durability: Recommends spring steel with minimum hardness 46 HRD and sheet thickness ≥ 0.5 mm to limit notch wear and preserve application rates.
- Labelling: Notched trowels compliant with the standard must be labelled on the steel plate as: Manufacturer / notch size code / reference to EN ISO 6076:2023.
- Sampling: Specified sizes in Table 2 are average values established by controlled sampling.
- Limitations: The geometric factor provides a geometry-based sorting of trowels and is only a first approximation of adhesive application rate; it does not account for adhesive rheology, application angle or substrate conditions.
Practical applications
- Standardizes tool selection and specification for consistent adhesive application in:
- Floor covering and tile installation
- Wood flooring adhesive application
- Levelling compound spreading
- Helps estimate relative adhesive volumes and compare trowels by geometry for job planning, tender specifications and quality control.
- Useful when matching tool codes across regions-Annex A maps European, Japanese and US notch designations to ISO codes.
Who should use this standard
- Adhesive and thin-bed mortar manufacturers (product instructions and recommended trowels)
- Notched trowel and tool manufacturers (design, marking, quality control)
- Flooring contractors, installers and specifiers (correct tool selection for performance)
- Test and calibration labs, procurement teams and standards committees
Related information
Prepared by ISO/TC 61 (Plastics) in collaboration with CEN/TC 193 (Adhesives). For cross-referencing, consult Annex A of EN ISO 6076:2023 for international notch designation mappings.
