General
Modern buildings often go in
for ‘cladding’ with stone veneers or ceramic tiles, and to-day the choice of
materials is really large. These cladding materials enhances the aesthetic
appeal of the structure, do not require painting with proper fixing and more
importantly make the structure, virtually maintenance free.
POLYALK TF is a special
elastomeric formulation developed keeping in mind several requirements.
Until recently the only
materials available for fixing tiles were either cement-sand mixture or neat
cement paste. However, ordinary cement or mortar is not waterproof. Besides this,
the shrinkage that develops on drying is a potential hazard, particularly on a
vertical surface. There are several instances of marble or stone slabs falling
off. Such a situation poses threat to life and limb apart from the failure of
the expected maintenance free surface.
To overcome the inadequacies of
traditional bedding and fixing materials, a new elastomeric formulation POLYALK
TF has been developed specially designed for such jobs.
Details
For fixing the tiles
essentially 2 mixes of POLYALK TF are required.
·
Slurry or bonding mix.
·
Fixing and bedding mortar.
POLYALK TF slurry is prepared
using 1 part by weight of POLYALK TF and 1 part by weight of cement. Both the
ingredients are mixed thoroughly preferably with a mechanical mixer. Mixing has
to be carried out for two minutes at least or until the mix of uniform
consistency.
POLYALK TF mortar is prepared
using 1 part by weight POLYALK TF, 3 parts by weight of ordinary Portland
Cement, 9 parts by weight of Graded Quartz sand.
The three ingredients taken in
the above proportion are mixed together to form a thick pliable dough like
consistency. As little water as possible may be added to the mix.
Uses
POLYALK TF is suitable for
interior and exterior service. It is good for ceramic, mosaic and floor tiles,
tiling of swimming pools, stones-granite and marble cladding of the walls and
columns. It is particularly useful for fixing heavy and large sized tiles on to
the facades of multi-storey buildings.
Advantages
- POLYALK TF is easily mixable with cement. The cement may be white or (gary) ordinary Portland cement.
- The co-matrix of POLYALK TF and cement has the compressive strength of cement plus the additional flexural and tensile properties contributed by the polymer.
- The matrix is totally watertight.
- It provides extraordinarily good adhesion between the tile surface and concrete / plaster which it covers.
- Joint filling with POLYALK TF and white cement may be tinted to the desired shade to match the colour of the tiles. Such a filling does not come off with the passage of time, nor does it leach out to give ugly looking stains on the tiles.
- Tiles can be fixed on either dry or wet surface without any loss of bond strength.
- Fallen tiles may be refixed without the adjoining tiles.
Instruction for use
- Clean the receiving surface of all the loose particles, oil, grease etc.
- Wet the surface.
- Prime the back of the tile and the receiving surface with 1:1 slurry of POLYALK TF and cement.
- Prepare a mixture consisting of POLYALK TF, fresh O.P. Cement and quartz sand (2 mm down) in the weight proportion of 1:3:9 into a uniformly thick dough like consistency. (add as little water as needed to get workable consistency).
- Spread this mixture uniformly on the back of the already primed tile. Remove excess material by a notched trowel and press home the tile into position. A 3 mm thick layer is more than adequate.
Consumption
1.5 to 2 sq.mts. pre Kg. of POLYALK
TF for an average 3 mm thickness.
Test Results
Test results indicate that the
bond strengths obtained with POLYALK TF are much higher than tile fixed by
ordinary cement. In many cases during the test (IS 4456 Part – 1967) the tile
broke, the bond remaining intact. It is also observed that incorporation of
quartz sand increases the strength considerably.
Packing
20 litre, 5 litre, 1 litre.
Shelf life
Twelve months when stored in
original closed container.
Precautions
- Prepare only limited quantities of POLYALK TF and cement mix, which can be used within 30 minutes.
- Normal traffic on floor tiles may be permitted as early as after 24 hours of setting.
- The joints should preferably be filled after 24 hours.
- Support the tiles fixed on ceilings, for a minimum of 48 hours.
- POLYALK TF in non-toxic. However any accidental contact with the body should be washed with plenty of clean water.
