USE ARDEX X 7 G and ARDEX X 7 W are versatile multipurpose tile adhesives, with enhanced properties of adhesion, suitable for fixing ceramic, porcelain, glass mosaics, and most non-moisture sensitive natural stone floor and wall tiles. ARDEX X 7 G and ARDEX X 7 W are frost and weather resistant, and can be used internally and externally as well as in wet areas and swimming pools.
 
DESCRIPTION The BS EN 12004 C2 TE S1 designation for ARDEX X 7 G and ARDEX X 7 W classifies the adhesives as 'Improved deformable cementitious adhesive with reduced slip and extended open time.' The additional characteristics for ARDEX X 7 G and ARDEX X 7 W determined in accordance with BS EN 12004, are a tensile adhesion strength of greater than 1 N/mm² as an initial 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 locations, including swimming pools. The mixed mortar has a slump free consistency with high initial grab, enabling heavy wall tiles to be fixed, thus reducing the need for battens and spacers. ARDEX X 7 G and ARDEX X 7 W adhere strongly to most construction materials such as concrete, cement and sand renders and screeds, heated sub-floors, brickwork and blockwork, gypsum plaster, anhydrite screeds, plasterboard and existing ceramic tiled surfaces. ARDEX X 7 G and ARDEX X 7 W can also be used for bonding rigid foam insulating materials, e.g. polystyrene, polyurethane, etc. For fixing tiles to internal wooden floors, consult the ARDEX X 7001 product data sheet. Due regard should also be given to the recommendations in the relevant parts of BS 5385 and sections of: BS 8000 : Part 11. ARDEX X 7 G and ARDEX X 7 W can be used to fix tiles to concrete or cement/sand screeds with underfloor heating.
 
SURFACE PREPARATION The backgrounds and surfaces to receive tiles must be clean, firm, free of dust, dirt, oil, grease and other barriers to adhesion, as well as being strong enough to support the weight of the tiles being fixed. Ensure that the background has adequate drying time, as given in the relevant part of BS 5385, and is correctly primed, where required, 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 so any gap under a 2m straight edge does not exceed 3mm (Surface Regularity 1). ARDEX X 7 G and ARDEX X 7 W can be applied to dry or moist surfaces, but moisture sensitive materials must remain dry after tiling. ARDEX WPC Waterproof Protection Coating System can be used in showers 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. If swimming pools require tanking prior to tiling, consider the use of ARDEX S 7 PLUS.
 
MIXING Add the ARDEX X 7 G and ARDEX X 7 W powder to water in a clean container, whilst stirring and mixing thoroughly to give a slump-free, easily worked mortar. The use of an ARDEX mixing paddle with a 10mm chuck, variable speed electric drill, makes light work of mixing. The mixing proportions by volume are:- Approximately 21/2 parts ARDEX X 7 G or ARDEX X 7 W powder: 1 part water. A 20kg bag of ARDEX X 7 G or ARDEX X 7 W requires approximately 6 litres of water. The consistency of the adhesive can be adjusted to suit site conditions and the materials being fixed, but must always be slump-free. The pot life of the mixed mortar is approximately 5 hours at normal temperatures (20°C). The mortar should be applied at temperatures above 5°C. ARDEX X 7 G and ARDEX X 7W must be used with the addition of ARDEX E 90 Mortar Admix (3.6kg), to fix glass mosaic and porcelain/fully vitrified tiles in swimming pools or in external locations. Extruded or keyed back tiles fixed in these locations, do not require the use of ARDEX E 90.
 
APPLICATION The mixed adhesive 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 to achieve the required contact. For tiling to walls in dry internal locations, the adhesive contact should be such that maximum practical contact between the tile and the adhesive is achieved. Tiles with a surface area of less than 0.1 m2, but which weigh more per square metre than 70% of the background’s capacity to carry the weight, should be solidly bedded. Tiles with a surface area of 0.1 m2 or greater, should be solidly bedded. When tiling to all floors, and in wet areas, such as showers and swimming pools, or in external locations, achieving a solid bed usually requires the backs of the tiles to be buttered immediately prior to placing into the ribbed bed, so no voids are left beneath the tiles. The size of the notched trowel chosen depends on the tile size, the surface being tiled, the profile on the back of the tile and the degree of coverage required. ARDEX X 7 G and ARDEX X 7 W are classified as having an extended open time of not 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, and can be adjusted for up to 10 minutes at 20°C. For areas that need rendering, the use of ARDEX AM 100 rapid hardening render, which will allow tiling to commence after only 2 hours at 20°C, should be considered.