Description
Ardex AF325 is a water-based, low odour, solvent free, acrylic, emulsion based floorcovering adhesive. With an extended working time, Ardex AF325 offers excellent application properties with high early grab and a high final bond strength. It is protected from biodegradation and has excellent resistance to plasticiser migration.
Ardex AF325 is ideal for installing all textile floorcoverings including fibre bonded, needle punch, latex and rubber foam backed, hessian, polypropylene, nylon, “action-bac”, felt and resin backed carpets, and natural carpets, such as sea grass/hessian/jute. They can all be used with Ardex Latex and Water-Based Levelling and Smoothing Compounds in both commercial and domestic locations. Ardex AF325 is suitable for use with chairs fitted with castor wheels.
Ardex AF325 meets the requirement guidelines for the EMICODE license “EC1Plus” achieving the lowest possible emission.
Application:
The installation area and subfloor should be kept at the appropriate temperature as specified by the floorcovering manufacturer and the relevant clauses of BS 5325. These temperatures need to be maintained 48 hours prior to installation, during installation, and 48 hours after installation.
Ardex AF325 should be applied evenly to the suitably prepared substrate using the appropriate serrated trowel. Hold the trowel at approximately a 60 degree angle to the subfloor to maximise coverage and avoid forming pools of adhesive. Floorcoverings can be applied directly into the wet adhesive on absorbent backgrounds, immediately, or after an airing time, usually 5-10 minutes depending on ambient conditions. Allowing the adhesive to air will improve its initial grab.
When using Ardex AF325 only apply sufficient adhesive that can be covered within the working time of 30 minutes on an absorbent subfloor. Periodically check that the adhesive has transferred to the rear of the floorcovering. Remove any air pockets with a cork board or rubbing tool whilst the adhesive is still wet, and roll the floorcovering with a 68kg roller.
Some textile floorcoverings may benefit from further rolling/smoothing after approximately 1 hour. When applying adhesive onto the substrate, ensure that any adhesive which is surplus to requirements, and has been moved across the subfloor, is not placed back into the container. It should be placed into an alternative container for safe, easy disposal. This will avoid possible contamination issues.
Application – Double Stick Method:
To fix the underlay apply Ardex AF825 to a clean prepared substrate using a medium pile roller. Highly absorbent subfloors may require priming with Ardex P51 diluted 1 part primer to 3 parts water and applied to the sub floor and allowed to dry. Always follow the underlay manufacturers installation instructions. Once secured adhere the carpet using Ardex AF325 in accordance with the carpet manufacturers installation instructions, using the appropriate trowel serration, normally a B2.
Mixing & Priming:
Ardex AF325 is ready for use, but for optimum performance the adhesive should be thoroughly mixed to ensure the even dispersion of polymers before application.
Priming is not required, however, on highly absorbent surfaces it can be advantageous to prime with Ardex P51 Priming and Bonding Agent diluted 1:3 with cold, clean water. This will maintain the working time and ensure maximum coverage of the adhesive.
Substrate Preparation:
The subfloor must contain an effective damp proof membrane and be dry, with an equilibrium relative humidity of 75% or below. Where an effective damp proof membrane is absent, or the relative humidity of the subfloor is above 75% RH, consult the Ardex Moisture Control brochure or contact Ardex Technical Services for the correct product selection.
The subfloor must be hard, clean, free from barrier materials, sound and smooth in accordance with the relevant clauses of BS 5325 and BS 8204. Any dust should be removed using suitable vacuum equipment, prior to applying Ardex AF325, as it can affect both the coverage and performance of the adhesive. Uneven subfloors should be levelled with the appropriate Ardex Latex or Water-Based Levelling and Smoothing Compound e.g. Arditex NA or Ardex K39. Ardex Ardurapid A45 Rapid Drying and Hardening Internal Repair Mortar can be used for repairs to the subfloor/stairs etc. up to 50mm thick, in accordance with the product data sheet.
Joints, nail holes and imperfections in plywood, or minor surface damage to existing levelling and smoothing compounds i.e. footprints or trowel marks, may be pre-smoothed and levelled prior to the application of Ardex AF325, using Ardex Feather Finish in accordance with the product data sheet. Fabricated underlays such as flooring grade plywood, (SP101) should be installed where required over existing timber bases. Wood-based fabricated underlays should be suitable for the floorcovering and be at the equilibrium moisture content they will have in service at the time they are covered.
Underfloor Heating:
Underfloor heating systems should be commissioned in accordance with the heating manufacturer’s instructions; if comment cannot be found then the guidance given in BS 5325 and BS 8204 should be followed.
Thermal cycling of the subfloor will require raising the temperature of the substrate slowly, usually 10°C a day, to full operating temperature, held for a defined period, and slowly brought back down, usually 10°C a day, so that any shrinkage that is likely to take place occurs before the floorcovering is installed.
If moisture tests are required to verify the relative humidity of the substrate, the underfloor heating system should be switched off for 48 hours prior to testing. If moisture testing is not required, or after the tests are completed, the heating system should be stabilised to room temperature, but not below 15°C, before installing the floorcovering. The surface of the substrate can then be repaired/smoothed with the appropriate Ardex product and allowed to dry.
The floorcovering should be allowed to acclimatise to the substrate temperature before installation with Ardex AF325. After installation allow at least 48 hours of constant temperature for the adhesive to properly cure, before slowly increasing the temperature up to the normal operating temperature of the area. Do not subject the floor to static or dynamic loads, loaded trolleys, etc., or move fixtures, furniture, etc., onto the flooring until the adhesive has fully set, typically 48 hours at 20°C.
Coverage:
The 14kg tub contains enough adhesive to cover up to 35m². The actual coverage achieved in practice is affected by application technique as well as the texture and absorbency of the subfloor.
Technical Data:
- Airing Time:
The time the adhesive should be left to air before applying the floorcovering. Approx. 5-10 minutes* - Working Time:
The time in which the adhesive can receive the floorcovering, after the initial airing time. Approx. 30 minutes* - Open Time:
The combination of airing and working time. Approx. 35 minutes*
*depending on the absorbency of the subfloor and ambient conditions. (20°C and 65% RH).
Click here to view this product on the manufacturers website.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet