Features
• Walk on and grout tiles after 2 hours
• Semi-pourable consistency, ideal for solid bed fixing large format floor tiles
• Water content can be adjusted to produce a slump-free mix for coving/skirting and wall tiles • For use with all types of ceramic and porcelain tiles
• Can be used on plywood overlay
• Suitable for use with underfloor heating
• For internal and external applications
DESCRIPTION ARDEX X 7 R and ARDEX X 7 R W are rapid setting, cement-based floor and wall tile adhesives with enhanced properties of adhesion and flexibility that allow grouting to commence after just 2 hours. The BS EN 12004 C2 T classification for ARDEX X 7 R classifies it as an ‘Improved adhesive with with reduced slip’, whilst the C2 FT classification for ARDEX X 7 R W classifies it as an ‘Improved fast setting cementitious adhesive with reduced slip’. Additional characteristics include tensile adhesion strengths of: • greater than 1 N/mm2 adhesion value, • greater than 1 N/mm2 after water immersion, • greater than 1 N/mm2 after heat aging, • greater than 1 N/mm2 after freeze thaw cycling, making this product suitable for internal and external situations, including swimming pools. ARDEX X 7 R and ARDEX X 7 R W are mixed to a semi-pourable consistency, ideal for fixing large format floor tiles and to help achieve solid bed fixing with minimal effort; or to a slump-free mix with high initial grab, enabling wall and skirting/ coving tiles to be fixed.
USE ARDEX X 7 R and ARDEX X 7 R W are ideal for fixing fully vitrified or porcelain tiles and other tiles with low porosity, as well as glass and porcelain mosaics, terrazzo and brick slips. For moisturesensitive natural stone and agglomerated stone tiles, the use of an ARDEX ‘RAPIDRY FORMULA’ adhesive such as ARDEX S 27 MICROTEC or ARDEX S 28 Natural Stone Wall and Floor Tile Adhesives recommended. ARDEX X 7 R and ARDEX X 7 R W adhere strongly to most construction materials including concrete, cement/sand renders and screeds, heated subfloors, brickwork, blockwork, correctly primed calcium sulphate based screeds and plasterboard. Suitable for use in internal and external locations, including swimming pools.
SURFACE PREPARATION The backgrounds and surfaces to receive the tiles must be clean, firm and 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, 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. The surface being adhered to must be mature and stable, as well as being strong enough to support the weight of the tiles being fixed. ARDEX X 7 R and ARDEX X 7 R W can be applied to dry or moist surfaces, but moisture sensitive materials must be dry and remain dry after fixing. ARDEX WPC Waterproof Coating 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 X 7 R and ARDEX X 7 R W are added to clean water in a clean container whilst stirring. The use of an ARDEX mixing paddle with a 10mm chuck, variable speed electric drill makes light work of mixing. For the semi-pourable consistency, a 20kg bag of ARDEX X 7 R or ARDEX X 7 R W requires up to 5 litres of water; or up to 4.25 litres of water for a slump-free consistency. The consistency of the adhesives can be adjusted to suit site conditions and the materials being fixed, however DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF WATER PER BAG. The pot life of the mixed mortar is approximately 30 minutes 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 to give a straight ribbed adhesive bed; 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. Tiles should then be fixed within the open time of the applied adhesive (below) and pressed into place with a twisting and sliding action to achieve the required contact. For tiling to walls in dry internal locations, current British Standard Codes of Practice recommend 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. When tiling to floors and all external situations, or in wet areas such as showers and swimming pools, solid bed fixing should be achieved. To ensure solid bed fixing with the semi-pourable mix, simply press the tile into place with a twisting and sliding action. With the slump-free mix, this usually requires the tiles to be buttered immediately prior to placing into the ribbed bed so no voids are left beneath the tiles. ARDEX X 7 R has an open time of 20 minutes and ARDEX X 7 R W has an open time of 30 minutes when measured in accordance with BS EN 12004: 2007 + A1: 2012. For optimum performance under typical UK site conditions however, tiles should be fixed within 10 minutes. Tiles can then be adjusted up to 20 minutes after application. The mortar should be applied at temperatures above 5°C.