EN 320 is a European test method used to measure the axial screw withdrawal resistance of particleboards and fibreboards.
It is commonly used for product qualification and quality control when a panel must reliably hold fasteners in service (for example in furniture, interior fit-out, and other screw-fixed assemblies). If you need help aligning your panel type, thickness, and fastening use-case to the right test setup, contact our team.
EN 320: Particleboards and fibreboards — Determination of resistance to axial withdrawal of screws
EN 320 defines a laboratory procedure for determining the force required to withdraw a defined screw axially from a prepared wood-based panel test piece.
The method is used to generate comparable screw-holding performance results for panels where fastener retention is a functional requirement.
Quick Definition
EN 320 is a screw withdrawal (pull-out) resistance test for particleboards and fibreboards, reported from an axial withdrawal loading condition.
What This Standard Covers
EN 320 focuses on axial withdrawal of screws from wood-based panels, using defined test pieces and a defined screw as specified by the standard.
Results are typically used to compare screw-holding performance between panel types, densities, thicknesses, or manufacturing lots, and to support specification or acceptance decisions where screw retention is critical.
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
Screw withdrawal resistance is often a practical indicator of how well a panel can retain screw-fixed components under service loads, installation stresses, or rework/maintenance scenarios.
Because screw-holding performance can change with panel structure, density profile, resin system, moisture condition, and edge/face characteristics, EN 320 helps teams evaluate those variables using a consistent, repeatable approach.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
EN 320 applies to particleboards and fibreboards where screws are used as a primary means of attachment.
Common application contexts: Furniture panels and carcass components, shelving and cabinetry parts, interior fit-out panels, and other assemblies where fastener pull-out performance is part of product performance or warranty risk.
Common Test or Verification Workflow
EN 320 is typically run as part of a panel property test plan, incoming inspection program, or production QC routine.
Common workflows: Prepare test pieces from panels, install the specified screw in the specified manner, apply axial withdrawal using a testing machine until withdrawal occurs, and record the withdrawal force result(s) as required by the standard.
Practical caution: Screw type, pilot hole practice (when applicable), installation depth, and the test location (such as face versus edge) can strongly influence results, so setup details should match the cited EN 320 edition exactly.
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
EN 320 is commonly performed on a universal testing machine (UTM) configured for an axial pull test, with fixtures designed to hold the panel specimen securely and to grip the screw without introducing bending.
Common equipment: Universal testing machine with appropriate force capacity, screw withdrawal (pull-out) fixture set, specimen support/anvil arrangement, and test-specific grips or adapters for the defined screw head/drive interface.
If you are comparing load capacity, fixture styles, or test-space clearance for screw withdrawal work, you can request a detailed quote for an EN 320-ready configuration.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
EN 320 is the base European designation for this method. National standards bodies often publish the same document with a national prefix (for example, DIN EN 320 in Germany or NEN-EN 320 in the Netherlands).
When cited as EN 320:2011, the “2011” indicates the edition year. Test setup and reporting expectations can depend on the exact edition referenced in contracts or technical documentation.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks
EN 320 is frequently used alongside other wood-based panel mechanical and physical property methods in broader qualification or compliance test plans.
Related examples: EN 310 (bending strength and modulus of elasticity), EN 319 (tensile strength perpendicular to the plane of the board / internal bond), and EN 311 (surface soundness) are often referenced in the same general testing space for wood-based panels, depending on the product requirement.
Talk to Us About an EN 320 Test Setup
For purchasing decisions, the key is usually matching fixture geometry, screw gripping approach, and machine capacity to the EN 320 withdrawal direction and your specimen sizes. Share the panel type and the EN 320 edition you need to run, and request pricing for a configuration that fits your lab workflow.