Description Ardex X78 Tile Adhesive is a grey MICROTEC fibre reinforced cement-based floor tile adhesive with an extended open time of up to 60 minutes. It is specifically formulated to have enhanced properties of adhesion and flexibility, and its unique semi-pourable consistency makes it ideal for fixing large format floor tiles. Ardex X78 Tile Adhesive is available only in grey, in 20kg bags. Ardex X78 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 E designation for Ardex X78 classifies the adhesive as an ‘improved, cementitious adhesive with extended open time characteristics’. The additional characteristics for Ardex X78 Tile Adhesive 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 mixed mortar has an easily workable, semi-pourable consistency to facilitate large format floor tile fixing. 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 5385-3:2007, 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 X78 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 X78 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 X78 powder to 1 part water. A 20kg bag of ARDEX X78 requires approximately 7.2 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 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 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 X78 is classified as having an extended open time of not less than 60 minutes with freshly mixed material when measured in accordance with BS EN 12004. For optimum performance under typical UK site conditions tiles should be fixed within 40 minutes, and 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 floor tiles ARDEX X78 is 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 Tile Grout, or ARDEX EG18 PLUS Epoxide Grout for areas where chemical resistance and hygienic joints are required i.e. commercial food preparation areas. Coverage: A 20kg bag of Ardex X78 Tile Adhesive will yield approximately 16.65 litres 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, notched trowel and technique used to bed the tiles e.g. a 20kg bag of Ardex X78 will cover approximately 5.6m² at 3mm thickness. Technical Data: Weight of fresh mortar: Approximately 1.6kg/litre Working time (20°C): Approximately 3 hours Adjusting time (20°C): Approximately 30 minutes Product Datasheet Click here to view this product on the manufacturers website.
