THE PULL O Here BAL takes an up-close look at the development and benef
Now a common technology in cementitious tile adhesives, Fibre Strand Technology (FST) was first introduced into the market by BAL in 2013.
Developed for BAL Max-Flex Fibre, FST was perhaps one of the most significant innovations in the production of tile adhesives in many years.
FST technology was developed in conjunction with fixers and contractors who were looking for improved performance in their tile adhesives – particularly with the increasing popularity of large format porcelain and natural stone tiles.
BAL’s market-leading R&D team got on the case and following exhaustive investigation into the use of certain microfibres combined with high-quality, super-smooth, spherical fillers, came up with Fibre Strand Technology. The team found that a particular combination of specific raw materials would greatly enhance performance of even the best powdered tile adhesives.
The microfibres used in BAL’s FST products deliver greater adhesion strength, grab and non-slip properties, bringing improved performance alongside extended open times. The improved consistency and smoothness mean the powders are easier to mix, and simpler and faster to trowel out and apply. The greater open times, achieved with no lengthening of drying times, enable much larger application areas, speeding up installation time.
Following its introduction to the market, FST was introduced into two new rapid-setting tile adhesives – BAL Rapidset Flexible Fibre and BAL Rapid Flex Fibre Plus – in July 2014. Rapidset Flexible Fibre, its replacement BAL Rapid-Flex One, and Rapid Flex Fibre Plus both offer extended open and working time – while still setting in only three hours.
Alongside the introduction of FST into cementitious adhesives, BAL was also the first adhesive manufacturer in the UK to introduce fibres into its ready-mixed tile adhesives with the launch of BAL Grip Plus and BAL White Star Plus in August 2013.
The addition of fibres into ready-mixed products also provides improved adhesion strength, grab and non-slip properties, as well as extended open times. This means that the use of battens when wall tiling is not needed – cutting down on installation time. This combined with unique spherical fillers provides a smoother, more consistent and lighter adhesive that is easier to work and apply.
The use of Fibre Strand Technology has since been introduced into other flooring products such as BAL Level Max – an all-in-one floor leveller. The use of FST in BAL Level Max provides the product with superior performance – including the ability to be used from 3mm to 80mm in bed depth in a single application – the largest bed depth in the market. Fibre-strand technology provides the product with superior strength and added flexibility, meaning it can be used with underfloor heating and over timber at only 3mm.
Because of the strength of the product due to the use of Fibre Strand Technology, it accepts foot traffic in three hours and can be tiled after only four hours at any depth.
38 | ADHESIVES & SEALANTS
Fibre Strand Technology in Level Max also helps to improve the coverage of the product, without losing strength. Because of its formulation, BAL Level Max is pumpable and achieves excellent coverage of 5m² at 3mm bed depth.
PROTECTING AGAINST LATERAL
MOVEMENT While the use of a flexible adhesive with FST provides extra strength, it does not per say, guard against deflection and lateral movement in floor substrates.
Problem floors, in particular new screeds or screeds with underfloor heating, are often affected by expansion and contraction which can transfer to the tiled layer – causing potential issues such as cracking and debonding.
To protect against these stresses, at BAL we would recommend the use of an uncoupling membrane. An uncoupling membrane provides a buffer layer between the screed and the tile, and evenly distributes any stresses across the whole floor.
BAL has four uncoupling options, providing a solution for any tiling installation including; BAL Rapid-Mat, BAL Flexbone 2Easy, BAL Flexbone VAried and BAL Single Part Fastflex.
BAL Rapid-Mat is an award-winning, thin, lightweight uncoupling mat that provides less height build-up than traditional cavity mat systems, plus it uses significantly less adhesive.
BAL Flexbone 2Easy is a new floating uncoupling mat that is totally unique to the UK market. Because no adhesive is needed underneath the mat, preparation is reduced to a quick sweep of the floor if it is flat, level and solid. This means no removal of laitance, no removal of residue and no priming. It is also suitable on new screeds, cracked screeds, heated screeds, mixed substrates and bitumen. It saves preparation time by around 50%.
BAL Flexbone VAried is a waterproof bonded uncoupling mat with patented GripLock technology for superior adhesion and shear strength – i.e. less risk of tiles popping or cracking under pressure. It is also made with a unique bone-like cavity structure, which means spreading of adhesive on the mat surface is around 30% faster.
If you’re looking for an adhesive that works as an anti-fracture and uncoupling membrane, then BAL has the solution with BAL Single Part FastFlex. Manufactured with rubber crumb technology, it is highly deformable with an S2 classification making it perfect for floors with slight deflection or the potential for lateral movement.
Whatever your floor tiling installation, BAL has the solution, with unique technologies including Fibre Strand Technology and its range of uncoupling mats.
www.bal-adhesives.com
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