Ardex X78S Tile Adhesive 20kg

Description

Ardex X78S Tile Adhesive is a MICROTEC fibre reinforced, ultra rapid setting cement-based floor tile adhesive which can be walked on and grouted after only 90 minutes. Specifically formulated to have enhanced properties of adhesion and flexibility, its unique semi-pourable consistency makes it for fixing large format floor tiles.

Ardex X78S Tile Adhesive is ideal for fixing fully vitrified or porcelain tiles, and other tiles with low porosity, as well as glass and porcelain mosaics and terrazzo. The BS EN 12004 C2 FE S1 designation for Ardex X78S classifies the adhesives as ‘Improved fast setting deformable cementitious adhesive with extended open time’. The additional characteristics for Ardex X78S determined in accordance with BS EN 12004 are a tensile adhesion strength of greater than 1 N/mm² adhesion value, greater than 1 N/mm² after water immersion, greater than 1 N/mm² after heat aging and greater than 1 N/mm² after freeze thaw cycling, making this product suitable for internal and external situations, including swimming pools. The enhanced setting and hardening performance of Ardex X78S means that after only 6 hours, the adhesive has already achieved the EN 12004 requirement of 0.5 N/mm². The mixed mortar has an easily workable, semi-pourable consistency to facilitate large format floor tile fixing. Ardex X78S adheres strongly to most construction materials such as concrete, cement and sand screeds, heated sub-floors, anhydrite screeds, and 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. Ensure that the background has adequate drying time, as given in the relevant part of BS 5385-3, 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 X78S can be applied to dry or moist surfaces, but moisture sensitive materials must be dry and remain dry after fixing. 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 X78S powder is added to clean water in a clean container, whilst stirring and mixed thoroughly to give a semi-pourable, 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: 2¾ parts Ardex X78S powder : 1 part water. A 20kg bag of Ardex X78S Tile Adhesive requires up to 7.0 litres of water. DO NOT EXCEED the maximum of 7.0 litres of water per 20kg bag of Ardex X78S. The consistency of the adhesives can be adjusted to suit site conditions and the materials being fixed. The mortar should be applied at temperatures above 5°C. The pot life of the mixed mortar is approximately 30 minutes at 20°C.

Application:
The mixed mortar 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 ensuring solid bed fixing is achieved. Ardex X78S has an open time of up to 30 minutes with freshly mixed material, when used in accordance with BS EN 12004. For optimum performance, tiles should be fixed within 20 minutes and can be adjusted for up to 15 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 floor tiles, Ardex X78S Tile Adhesive is normally hard enough after 90 minutes 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 Tile Grout, or the appropriate Ardex Epoxy Grout for areas where chemical resistance and hygienic joints are required i.e. commercial food and preparation areas.

Coverage:
A 20kg bag of Ardex X78S will yield approximately 16.5 litres of of mortar, using approximately 1.2kg 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 and notched trowel and technique used to bed the tiles e.g. a 20kg bag will cover approximately 9.4m² when using a 5mm x 5mm square toothed and notched trowel.

Technical Data:
Bulk density of powder approximately 1.2kg/litre
Weight of fresh mortar approximately 1.6kg/litre
Working time (20°C) approximately 30 minutes
Pot life: 30 minutes
Fixing time (20°C) approximately 30 minutes
Adjusting time (20°C) approximately 15 minutes
Tensile adhesion strength greater than 1 N/mm2

Product Datasheet

Click here to view this product on the manufacturers website.