Description ARDEX X32 Natural Stone Adhesive is classified as C2 FTE S1 “Improved deformable fast setting cementitious adhesive with reduced slip and extended open time” in accordance with BS EN 12004. ARDEX X32 Natural Stone Adhesive is a special rapid hardening and drying, white cement-based adhesive for fixing natural stone floor and wall tiles including moisture sensitive natural stone tiles and uncalibrated natural stone floor tiles. It may also be used for concrete slabs and ceramic tiles including porcelain tiles in internal and external situations. Tiles fixed with ARDEX X32 Natural Stone Adhesive can be grouted and subjected to foot traffic 3 hours after fixing at normal temperatures (20°C), even at maximum thickness. It is particularly suitable for use in situations where the adhesive bed has to dry quickly to reduce the risk of moisture staining of the stone. ARDEX X32 Natural Stone Adhesive is a white powder based on special cements, high quality synthetic resins and fillers, which is mixed with water to produce an easily applied mortar with a working time of approximately 60 minutes. The mortar adheres strongly to most building materials such as concrete, cement/sand render and screeds, brickwork, blockwork, etc. In some cases surface preparation, such as priming may be required prior to fixing. For asphalt floors consult the “Fixing Ceramic Tiles to Internal Asphalt Floors” data sheet. Surface Preparation:The surface being adhered to must be clean, firm, free of dust, dirt, oil, grease and other barrier materials as well as being strong enough to support the weight of the tiles being fixed. Ensure that the drying time for the background, as recommended in the relevant part of BS 5385, has elapsed prior to fixing the tiles. ARDEX X32 Natural Stone Adhesive can be applied to dry or moist surfaces, e.g. cement/sand, concrete etc., but moisture sensitive materials must be dry and remain dry after fixing. Screeds and wall plasters based on calcium sulfate, e.g. anhydrite/hemihydrate screeds, should be dry and the surface suitably prepared before priming with ARDEX P51 primer, diluted 1 part to 3 parts water. NOTE: The surface of calcium sulfate based screeds should be prepared in accordance with the screed manufacturer’s instructions. The adhesive bed should not exceed 6mm on calcium sulphate based screeds. When fixing to very smooth, dense and impervious surfaces, such as existing ceramic floor tiles (glazed or unglazed), terrazzo etc., the surface should be initially primed with ARDEX P82 or ARDEX P4 primer, for internal dry areas. Mixing:ARDEX X32 Natural Stone Adhesive powder is added to clean water in a clean mixing container whilst stirring and mixed thoroughly to give an 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 bag are: For bedding floor tiles approximately 7.2 litres of water per 20kg ARDEX X32 Natural Stone Adhesive and approximately 6.4 litres of water per 20kg ARDEX X32 for wall tiling. The equivalent mix by volume is approximately 1 part of water to 2½ parts of ARDEX X32 Natural Stone Adhesive powder for floors and 1 part water to 2¾ parts powder for walls. The mortar is immediately ready for use and has a working time of approximately 60 minutes at a temperature of 20°C. NOTE: Do not mix more than can be used within this time. The working time and strength development will be retarded at lower and accelerated at higher temperatures. Do not apply at temperatures below 5°C. Fixing Techniques:For fixing natural stone tiles, use a suitably sized notched trowel to give a ribbed mortar bed on the substrate, into which the tiles are firmly bedded whilst the mortar is moist and soft. Floor tiles, slabs with keyed back profiles and translucent stones need to be buttered to ensure solid bedding. The area covered with ARDEX X32 Natural Stone Adhesive mortar should be limited so that tiles can be fixed within the open time. If the mortar is applied immediately after mixing, the open time is approximately 20 minutes but this time will be greatly reduced if the mixed mortar is left longer before applying. ARDEX X32 is classified as having an extended open time of no less than 30 minutes when measured in accordance with BS EN 12004. For optimum performance under typical UK site conditions tiles should be fixed within 20 minutes. On particularly rough or uneven floor or wall surfaces it is advisable to pre-level the surface with ARDEX X32 Natural Stone Adhesive mortar and once this initial layer has hardened, (approximately 3 hours after application) proceed with the normal fixing technique. Holes and depressions can be pre-filled and substrates levelled providing that the substrate is sufficiently strong and the total thickness of adhesive and pre-levelling mortar does not exceed 30mm. When fixing either stone tiles on gypsum wall plaster where the weight of the stone tiling is restricted to 20kg per square metre, or where an adhesive bed 3mm or less in thickness is required, or when fixing translucent natural stone tiles, ARDEX S16 W or ARDEX S 27 W should be used. Grouting:Natural stone tiles and slabs fixed in ARDEX X32 Natural Stone Adhesive may be grouted as soon as the tile bed is sufficiently firm, usually 3 hours after fixing at 20°C. ARDEX MG Rapid Drying Marble and Natural Stone Grout should be used to grout marble and other natural stone slabs that are sensitive to moisture for internal areas. For external areas use ARDEX-FLEX FL Tile Grout or ARDEX-FLEX FS Tile Grout. Coverage:Approximately 1.2 kg of ARDEX X32 Natural Stone Adhesive powder per square metre per mm bed thickness. A 20kg bag of ARDEX X32 Natural Stone Adhesive will cover approximately 5.5m² with a solid 3mm adhesive bed. Technical Data: Bulk density of powder: approximately 1.1kg/ltr Weight of fresh mortar: approximately 1.6kg/ltr Material requirement: approximately 1.2kg powder per m2 per mm Working time (20°C): approximately 60 minutes Fixing time: approximately 20 minutes (using freshly mixed mortar) Adjusting time: approximately 20 – 30 minutes Walkability (20oC) After approximately 3 hours; then grouting is possible Product Datasheet Click here to view this product on the manufacturers website.
