Overview
ISO 9366:2001 specifies a laboratory method to determine the plane dimensions, thickness, deviation from squareness, and deviation from straightness of edges for agglomerated cork floor tiles (or slabs). It provides measurement procedures, apparatus requirements and reporting items used for quality control, acceptance testing and production verification of cork floor coverings.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Applies to agglomerated composition cork floor tiles/slabs. Notes point to alternative methods in EN 427 and EN 428.
- Sampling: Size to be agreed between parties; minimum of five test specimens recommended. If testing from a pack, do not use the first and last tiles.
- Conditioning: Standard conditioning at (23 ± 5) °C for 24 h. For disputes use (23 ± 2) °C and (50 ± 5) % RH for 24 h. Production control tests may be run without conditioning provided test temperature ≤ 30 °C.
- Apparatus:
- Flat surface and metallic ruler arranged so tiles can be held against a fixed edge.
- Three dial gauges (A, B, C) for plane dimensions and squareness, graduated to 0.01 mm.
- Two stainless-steel standard rulers (length and width) accurate to ±0.05 mm.
- Separate thickness device with a dial gauge (0.01 mm) and a 0.80 ± 0.02 kg weight.
- Measurement procedure:
- Multiple contact readings with dial gauges at defined positions along each edge (three points per side) to determine length and width.
- Squareness measured at each corner using a fixed projection and dial gauge; the mean and maximum deviations are used to quantify squareness.
- Thickness measured with a weighted dial gauge at four positions; results averaged.
- Deviation calculations: mean values for length/width/thickness, deviation from nominal (percent), greatest deviations for squareness and straightness.
- Instrumentation accuracy: Dial gauges 0.01 mm graduations; rulers ±0.05 mm; repeat readings and averaging reduce random error.
Applications and users
ISO 9366 is used by:
- Manufacturers for production control and specification compliance of cork tiles.
- Independent test laboratories and quality assurance teams for acceptance testing.
- Architects, specifiers, contractors and procurement officers to verify dimensional conformity before installation.
- R&D teams for product development and tolerance validation.
Practical uses include ensuring tile fit during installation, checking batch uniformity, and documenting compliance in contracts and technical dossiers.
Related standards
- EN 427: Resilient floor coverings - Determination of side length, squareness and straightness of tiles (alternative methods).
- EN 428: Resilient floor coverings - Determination of overall thickness (alternative method).
- ISO 9366 replaces ISO 9366:1990 (technical revision prepared by ISO/TC 87 Cork).
Keywords: ISO 9366, agglomerated cork floor tiles, dimensions, squareness, straightness, thickness, dial gauge, flooring quality control, sampling, conditioning.