TILE ADHESIVES & GROUTS Why are there so many tile adhesives and which one do I need? As there are a variety of sizes and types of tiles adhered to many different types of substrates, in all manner of locations and different conditions, there are different types of adhesive required for specific applications. When selecting the correct adhesive type for the job in hand, the following factors should be taken into account; the size and weight of the tile, porosity of the tile and substrate, type of substrate and the ambient conditions the installation will be subjected to during its life: are the conditions wet, damp, permanently immersed or dry? Are they internal or external? On walls or floors? Are other variables such as under floor heating involved? The Adhesives supplied are generally divided into two separate groups: dispersion (ready mixed, water based polymer adhesives) and cementitious (cement based powder adhesives).
1. DISPERSION ADHESIVES - see page 38. Dispersion, or ready mixed adhesives, are supplied in tubs in a paste form. They are made up of fillers bound together by a synthetic water based polymer emulsion. All dispersion adhesives cure by evaporation, no chemical reaction or chemistry takes place during curing. It is simply left to the water to evaporate from the adhesive in order to dry. For this reason dispersion adhesives are not recommended for use when using large format* tiles or impervious backgrounds as the water cannot escape. Evaporation can only take place through the grout joint or background – the water needs somewhere to go.
*Note: a ‘large format’ tile is considered to be a tile with a surface area greater than 0.9m2 or 900cm2 . This means tiles that measure more than 30cm x 30cm (or 300mm x 300mm) should not be fixed with a ready mixed / dispersion adhesive.
Ready mixed adhesives are normally limited to use on walls only. In damp areas (such as domestic showers) a D2 adhesive such as Bond It Aqua-Tile, should be used (page 34). In summary, dispersion adhesives have their place, when used on walls with tiles having a surface area no greater than 900cm2
in more or less permanently dry conditions.
2. CEMENTITIOUS ADHESIVES - see pages 39-41. These are supplied in powder form to be mixed with a measured amount of water. Cement based adhesives are generally superior in performance to dispersion adhesives, they can be used either in place of ready mixed adhesives or can be used where the conditions do not permit the use of a ready mixed product.
Cement cures by chemical reaction (cement hydration), not just by evaporation. When a cement based product is mixed and placed in an airtight container, it will cure, even though evaporation cannot take place. However, care should be taken that porous backgrounds are correctly primed in order that the water is not ‘sucked’ out of the adhesive before the cement has hydrated. Because having a route for any water to escape by evaporation is not such an issue, cement adhesives can be used with large format tiles, including very impervious (non-porous) tiles such as porcelain and on impervious backgrounds. Depending on the grade or classification, cement based adhesives can be used in installations with under floor heating systems where thermal movement is likely, when tiling on plywood boarded floors where limited movement or vibration is likely, or even in permanently immersed locations such as swimming pools. The adhesion and / or flexibility properties should be observed for different applications with different demands.
CE CLASSIFICATION Classification of Tile Adhesives – What do they mean?
EN12004 classifies tile adhesives, into type, class and characteristics. This should be shown on all compliant tile adhesive products. This describes the grade and subsequent suitability of the adhesive for certain applications. EN12004 is explained as follows:
The first letter in the classification indicates the type: D = Dispersion or ready mixed adhesive. C = Cementitious, cement based, powder adhesives. This is followed by a number that indicates its class: 1 = Normal strength adhesive, meets the minimum required level. 2 = Higher strength adhesive that exceeds class 1. The type and class may (but not always) be followed by another letter that indicates any additional characteristics: E = Extended open time. T = Slip resistant. F = Fast setting. And finally, where applicable, relating to deformability (flexibility): S1 = Deformable adhesive that meets the minimum standard.
Where we see EN12004 C2F S1; it is cementitious, High Strength Class 2, fast setting and deformable (flexible). EN12004 D1T is translated to; dispersion adhesive, Normal Strength Class 1, slip resistant.
TILE GROUTS Tile grouts are classified under regulation EN13888 in a similar manner to tile adhesives. Two letters determine the type: CG = Cementitious grout, cement based powder. The number to denote its class; 1 = Standard grout which meets the required standard. 2 = Grout which exceeds class 1 (reduced water absorption, increased abrasion resistance). This translates to EN13888 CG1 being; cementitious grout, class 1. In applications where a flexible (S1) adhesive has been used, a flexible grout should also be used.
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APPENDICES: Tile Adhesives & Grouts
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