As a professional supplier of wood chip block production equipment, we have never stopped upgrading our technology to meet our customers’ growing quality requirements for sawdust blocks. Our machines have been sold to small and medium-sized pallet manufacturers across North Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. The quality of the blocks produced fully meets—and even exceeds—the EPAL standards for pallet blocks.
What is nail holding strength?
Among these standards, nail holding strength is one of the most critical performance indicators.
The European Pallet Association (EPAL) sets strict quality standards for all components used in EPAL-certified pallets, including chip blocks, also known as sawdust blocks or compressed wood blocks.
One of the critical performance criteria is the nail holding strength, which directly affects the structural integrity and durability of the pallet during loading, transport, and repeated use.
Nail Holding Strength Requirement:
According to EPAL specifications, each nail used in the pallet assembly must have a withdrawal resistance of no less than 2,000 Newtons (N) when embedded in the block. This ensures that nails remain firmly in place under mechanical stress and handling conditions.
📏 The test is typically performed under standard climate conditions (20°C, 65% relative humidity) using a standard EPAL nail inserted into the block. A tensile force is then applied to measure the maximum force required to pull out the nail (following EN ISO 22457-2 or similar recognized testing procedures).
🪵 To meet this requirement, pallet blocks must be manufactured with:
- Consistent high density (typically ≥ 550 kg/m³)
- Controlled moisture content (8–12%)
- Reliable adhesive systems (UF, MUF, or MDI resin-based)
- Uniform internal bonding to prevent internal fractures or delamination
Blocks that meet this requirement contribute significantly to the load capacity, safety, and reusability of the final pallet.
You can learn more about the specifications of standard pallet blocks by reading the article below:
1. Is the 160 × 95 × 95 mm Pallet Block a Certified UIC Pallet Specification?
2. Standard Dimensions of EPAL Certified Pallet Blocks
3. Standard Euro Pallet Block Sizes Explained
Sawdust chip blocks come in many different sizes, such as 90×90 mm, 75×75 mm, 140×90 mm, and more. All of these sizes can be produced using our wood pallet block machines.
Three models of pallet block machines:
These machines are compact in size, easy to operate, and produce high-quality blocks. Thanks to their affordable price, small footprint, and reliable performance, they are an excellent choice for small to medium-sized pallet manufacturing businesses.
If you’re interested in this type of machine or would like to learn more, please contact us today!
