The innovation behind 1K-PUR Loctite HB XE

FIRE PROTECTION AND
PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY
UNITED

With the new 1K-PUR Loctite HB XE, Henkel Engineered Wood has achieved an innovation in modern timber construction. The adhesive combines the highest fire protection requirements with efficient production cycles and already meets the strict requirements of the new Eurocode 5. The result is a solution that brings together two previously often separate goals: safety and efficiency. THEURL also offers the possibility of using the new HB XE on a project-specific basis at the customer’s request in order to utilise the benefits of this innovative solution.

Fire protection without compromise

In timber construction, manufacturers of cross laminated timber have so far faced a clear conflict of objectives: either maximum fire resistance or efficient production. With Loctite HB XE, this is a thing of the past. The adhesive combines the fire and heat resistance of the tried-and-tested HB X with even greater production efficiency compared to the standardised HB S adhesive. This is made possible by an optimised ratio of open time and pressing time, the decisive factor for faster and more economical production processes.

 

 

“Our Loctite HB XE meets the highest fire protection requirements.
In accordance with Eurocode 5, the manufacturer no longer has to carry out additional fire tests.“

- Gordian Stapf, Certification Manager at Henkel Engineered Wood

Another decisive advantage is that the fire behaviour corresponds to that of solid wood. In future, the so-called GLIF test (Glue Line Integrity of Fire) will be decisive for the approval and economic dimensioning of timber components. In elaborate test procedures at ETH Zurich, it was proven that the integrity of the glued joint is fully maintained with HB XE. This means that the time-consuming verification process using the staged burning model is no longer necessary and can instead be carried out much more simply using a linear calculation with a burning rate of 0.65 mm/min.

The strength of the new adhesive is also evident in production: the changeover to 1K-PUR Loctite HB XE is uncomplicated and does not require any fundamental adjustments to existing processes.

More freedom for visible timber construction

The new adhesive opens up new architectural and economic possibilities, particularly in multi-storey timber construction. Until now, load-bearing timber elements in buildings of four storeys or more usually had to be clad with non-combustible materials in order to meet fire protection requirements, which meant more material, higher costs and additional design effort. This additional work is significantly reduced with Loctite HB XE.

The result:

  • fewer additional materials
  • simplified design
  • more efficient construction processes
  • more economical solutions for manufacturers and builders

Especially where visible wood is desired architecturally, this development creates new design freedom without having to compromise on safety or compliance with standards.

Sustainability taken further

In addition to fire protection and efficiency, sustainability also plays a key role. The 1C PUR adhesive is formaldehyde-free and does not contain any substances on the banned list of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel. It therefore supports a construction method that is not only technically impressive, but also ecologically responsible.

The future of timber construction

The new 1K-PUR Loctite HB XE clearly shows where modern timber construction is heading: towards intelligent solutions that combine safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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