Description
Ardex X77 Tile Adhesive is a MICROTEC fibre reinforced, cement-based, floor and wall tile adhesive with an extended open time of up to 60 minutes. Specifically formulated to have enhanced properties of adhesion and flexibility, the advanced slump resistance properties make Ardex X77 Tile Adhesive ideal for fixing large format wall tiles.
Ardex X77 Tile Adhesive is available in 20kg bags, in two colours – grey and white. Pallet rates are also available – 50 x 20kg bags. Please note there is a 2-3 day lead time on full pallets.
Ardex X77 Tile Adhesive is ideal for fixing ceramic or fully vitrified tiles and other tiles with low porosity, as well as glass and porcelain mosaics, and terrazzo. The BS EN 12004 C2 TE S1 designation classifies the adhesives as an “improved cementitious adhesives with additional characteristics, reduced slip and extended open time”. Ardex X77 Tile Adhesive has an extended open time of up to 60 minutes, twice the requirement of BS 12004, and double the slump resistance of ‘T’ classified adhesives.
The additional characteristics, determined in accordance with BS EN 12004, makes Ardex X77 Tile Adhesive ideal for fixing all types of ceramic tiles and mosaics, in internal and external situations, including swimming pools.
The mixed mortar has a slump free consistency with very high initial grab enabling heavy wall tiles to be fixed, thus reducing the need for battens and spacers. Ardex X77 Tile Adhesive adheres strongly to most construction materials such as concrete, cement and sand renders and screeds, heated sub-floors, brickwork and blockwork, gypsum plaster, plasterboard and primed existing ceramic tiled surfaces.
Surface Preparation:
The backgrounds and surfaces to receive the tiles must be clean, firm, free of dust, dirt, oil, grease and other barriers to adhesion, as well as being strong enough to support the weight of the tiles being fixed. Ensure that the background has adequate drying time, as given in the relevant part of BS 5385, and correctly primed, where required, prior to fixing the tiles. Install tiles in accordance with the relevant parts of BS 5385 and BS 8000: Part 11 Workmanship on Building Sites. Backgrounds to receive ceramic tiles should be finished to Surface Regularity 1 i.e. so any gap under a 2m straight edge does not exceed 3mm. Ardex X77 Tile Adhesive can be applied to dry or moist surfaces, but moisture sensitive materials must be dry and remain dry after fixing. The Ardex WPC Waterproof Protection System can be used prior to tiling to create a waterproof protective coating that guarantees the prevention of water damage to floors and walls, by protecting moisture sensitive backgrounds in wet locations.
Mixing:
Ardex X77 Tile Adhesive and Ardex X77 W (white) powder is added to clean water in a clean container whilst stirring, and mixed thoroughly to give a slump free, easily worked mortar. The use of an Ardex mixing paddle with a 10mm chuck, variable speed electric drill makes light work of mixing.
The mix proportions by volume are approximately:
2 parts Ardex X77 or Ardex X 77 W powder to 1 part water. A 20kg bag of Ardex X77 or Ardex X 77 W requires approximately 8.5 litres of water. DO NOT EXCEED the maximum water content.
The consistency of the adhesive can be adjusted to suit site conditions and the materials being fixed.
The mixed mortar should be applied at temperatures above 5°C.
The pot life of the mixed mortar is approximately 3 hours at 20°C.
Application:
The mixed adhesive is applied to the prepared surface with a trowel and then combed through with a suitably sized notched trowel in straight ribs to give a ribbed mortar bed. The tiles should be fixed within the open time of the applied adhesive and pressed into place with a twisting and sliding action to achieve the required contact. For tiling to walls in dry internal locations the adhesive contact should be with at least 50% of the back of the tile. For maximum performance at least 80% adhesive contact of the back of the tile should be achieved.
When tiling to floors, wet areas such as showers and swimming pools, or in external locations achieving a solid bed usually requires the back of the tiles to be buttered immediately prior to placing into the ribbed bed so no voids are left beneath the tiles. The size of notched trowel chosen depends on the tile size, the surface being tiled, the profile on the back of the tile and the degree of coverage required. Ardex X77 and Ardex X77 W Tile Adhesive are classified as having an extended open time of up to 60 minutes with freshly mixed material, when used in accordance with BS EN 12004. For optimum performance under typical UK site conditions tiles should be fixed within 40 minutes and tiles can be adjusted for up to 30 minutes at 20°C.
Grouting:
Grouting can proceed once the tile bed has hardened sufficiently so that the tiles will not be dislodged. When grouting wall tiles, Ardex X77 and Ardex X77 W are normally hard enough after 8 hours at 20°C, depending on the porosity of the tile and the background. When grouting floor tiles Ardex X77 Tile Adhesive and Ardex X77 W are normally hard enough after 24 hours at 20°C to accept foot traffic depending on the porosity of the tile and the background. Higher temperatures will shorten and lower temperatures will lengthen these times.
The tile joints should be grouted with the appropriate Ardex Flex FL or Flex FS Tile Grout or Ardex EG18 Cement/ Epoxy Hybrid Grout for areas where chemical resistance and hygienic joints are required, i.e. commercial food preparation areas.
Coverage:
A 20kg bag will yield approximately 19 litres of mortar, using approximately 1.05kg of powder per m2 per mm thickness of adhesive bed. The actual coverage achieved in practice will depend on the back profile of the tile, notched trowel and technique used to bed the tiles e.g. a 20kg bag will cover up to 8m² when using an 8mm x 8mm square toothed and notched trowel.
Technical Data:
Weight of fresh mortar: approximately 1.5kg/litre
Working time (20°C): approximately 3 hours
Fixing time (20°C): up to 60 minutes
Adjusting time (20°C): approximately 30 minutes
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