Ardex X7R (X 7 R) 20Kg – Flexible Rapid Set Tile Adhesive – Pallet Deals and Bulk Buy

Ardex X 7 R extended information

COVERAGE: A 20kg bag of ARDEX X 7 R or ARDEX X 7 R W will yield approximately 14.3 litres of mortar, equivalent to approximately 4.7m2 at 3mm bed thickness. Material requirement is approximately 1.4kg powder per m2 per mm.

Technical Summary

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 cementitious adhesive with additional characteristics and reduced slip’, whilst the C2 TE classification for ARDEX X 7 R W classifies it as an ‘improved cementitious adhesive with reduced slip and extended open time’.
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 and ARDEX X 7 RW 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 moisture- sensitive natural stone and agglomerated stone tiles, the use of an ARDEX ‘RAPIDRY FORMULA’ adhesive such as ARDEX S 27 MICROTEC Natural Stone Wall and Floor Tile Adhesive is 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. ARDEXX7RandARDEXX7RWcanbeapplied 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 the adhesive contact should be with at least 50% of the back of the tile. For maximum performance at least 80% of the back of the tile should be adhered. 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.

GROUTING

Grouting can proceed once the tile bed has hardened sufficiently so that the tiles will not be dislodged, normally 2 hours after application at 20°C. At this time, floor tiles will also be able to receive foot traffic. Higher temperatures will shorten, and lower temperatures will extend these times.

Tile joints should be grouted with the appropriate ARDEX-FLEX Tile Grout: ARDEX-FLEX FL Rapid Setting Tile Grout for joints 3-15mm wide and ARDEX-FLEX FS Flexible Tile Grout for joints up to 4mm wide. Alternatively, for areas where superior resistance to chemicals, high standards of hygiene or a reduced maintenance regime is required, ARDEX EG 8 PLUS Epoxide Tile Grout and Adhesive can be used.

PRIMERS

ARDEX P 51

Concentrated Water-Based Primer diluted 1:3 with water for use on absorbent backgrounds, concrete and calcium sulphate based screeds. When tiling onto wooden subfloors, use undiluted (see guidance notes regarding preparation of timber backgrounds).

ARDEX P 4

Ready Mixed, Multi-Purpose, Rapid Drying Primer for use on ceramic and porcelain tiles, concrete and terrazzo. ARDEX P 4 Primer is solvent free and dries after 60 minutes. It is suitable for use in dry, damp or wet (not submerged) internal and external locations.

ARDEX P 82

Water-Based Synthetic Primer for use on smooth, impervious surfaces including existing ceramic tiling, internal asphalt, terrazzo, sound and well adhered paint coatings, old adhesive residues and timber walls (see guidance notes regarding preparation of timber backgrounds).

GUIDANCE NOTES ON BACKGROUNDS TO BE TILED

Concrete

Allow at least 6 weeks, preferably at least 12 weeks, drying time prior to fixing tiles onto new concrete. Mechanically clean the concrete surface and ensure mould, oil, curing agents, hardeners/ sealers etc. are removed.

Cement/sand render and screed

Wood float finish. Prevent rapid drying of render surfaces for 3 days and screed surfaces for 7 days. Allow cured renders to air dry for at least 2 weeks and screeds at least 3 weeks prior to tiling.

NOTE for Screeds: With ARDEX A 38 Ultra Rapid Drying Cement for Internal & External Screeds, tiles can be fixed after only 4 hours.

NOTE for Renders: With ARDEX AM 100 Rapid Hardening One Coat Tile Render tiles can be fixed after just 2 hours.

Gypsum plaster

Gypsum plaster and boards should not be used in wet or damp conditions. Gypsum plaster must be dry and at least 4 weeks old before tiling. Wire brush in situ plaster to remove dust, and prime with ARDEX P 51 Primer. Tiling weight should not exceed 20kg/m2.

Paper-faced plasterboard

Ensure boards are rigidly braced and adequately supported. Fix directly to the paper facing.
Do not skim with plaster. Tiling weight should not exceed 32kg/m2.

Wood-based sheets and boards

Ensure that new or existing boards are dry i.e., conditioned to the environment in which they will be used, and are rigidly fixed, ventilated and free from barriers to adhesion.

For wall tiling, BS 5385 advises that wood based sheets and boards should be avoided as a background for tiling if at all possible. If such boards have to be used, they should be restricted to small areas and installed in such a way that they provide a dimensionally stable and rigid background. The backs and edges of such boards should be treated against the ingress of atmospheric moisture that would result in movement and warping. Tiles should not bridge joints between boards. Since plywood and other wood based boards are not dimensionally stable, they should not be used in wet or damp conditions where they will be subjected to changes in atmospheric humidity.

Existing tongue and groove softwood

Floorboards of traditional construction should be screwed or nailed down to the joists to provide a rigidly fixed, flat and adequately braced surface. Any existing floor polish, wax, old adhesive should be removed e.g., by sanding to expose a clean surface prior to tiling.

Plywood and flooring grade chipboard should have the backs and edges sealed e.g., with polyurethane varnish and be at least 15mm thick. They should be screwed or ring nailed down to the joists at 300mm centres or less.

The board surface should be clean and free of barriers to adhesion e.g., fire retardants, impregnated wax etc. Some chipboard floor systems require the joints to be glued together and guidance from the manufacturer should be sought. The timber should be at an equilibrium moisture content i.e., the state of dryness it will attain in normal service conditions, at the time it is covered. In all cases, the timber surface to be tiled should be stable and adequately strong and suitably rigid to withstand the imposed traffic, loads and vibration without deflection.

Extra noggins may be required between joists to stiffen floors as advised in BS 5385-3. The timber floor surface must only be primed with either ARDEX P 51 Primer undiluted or ARDEX P 82 Primer. Plywood walls must only be primed with ARDEX P 82 Primer. Other proprietary manufacturer’s primers are not recommended.

Ceramic tiles should not be used on timber based boards in wet areas or external locations.

Floating timber floors entail a high element of risk as a base for rigid floor finishes such as ceramic tiling and should be avoided. If the floor is deemed suitable, consider the use of an uncoupling membrane or tile backer board. (BS 5385-3:2014).

ARDEX X 7 R or ARDEX X 7 R W must not be mixed with more than the recommended amount of water as excess moisture will cause timber movement. The adhesive bed thickness must not exceed 3mm.

NOTE: If the above precautions are not carried out there will be an increased risk of the installed tiling cracking and delaminating. For commercial installations or where the floor may be subject to vibration, e.g. from washing machines, then the use of a proprietary intermediate substrate system is recommended.

Painted Surfaces

A trial area should be carried out by priming the sound paint coating with ARDEX P 82 Primer prior to fixing tiles.

Calcium sulphate-based screeds i.e. Anhydrite

Ensure the calcium sulphate-based screeds have been laid and prepared in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations. Generally they require sanding and drying to a moisture content of 0.5% or less. Prime with ARDEX P 51, diluted 1:3 with water or, dependent of the information from the gypsum screed manufacturer, a suitably sand blinded coat of an epoxy primer such as ARDEX R 3 E may be required.

Existing glazed ceramic tiling

Ensure existing tiling is well adhered and can support the new tile bed. Thorough cleaning and rinsing off is essential. Consult the ARDEX DGR Degreaser datasheet. Prime the tiles with ARDEX P 82 Primer (internal dry areas only) or ARDEX P 4 Primer (internal and external locations).

Brickwork

Allow new walls to dry for at least 6 weeks, preferably 12 weeks, prior to direct fixing or rendering.

Concrete blockwork

Allow 6 weeks, preferably 12 weeks, drying time prior to direct fixing or rendering.

Asphalt-sanded

With a well adhered sand key, priming is not required. Internal areas only. If sand key is poor or worn off, proceed as for smooth asphalt.

Asphalt-smooth

Priming with ARDEX P 82 Primer recommended. Internal dry areas only.

Underfloor heating

ARDEX X 7 R or ARDEX X 7 R W are both suitable for fixing ceramic tiles to concrete or cement/sand screeds with appropriately commissioned underfloor heating.

PACKAGING

ARDEX X 7 R and ARDEX X 7 R W are packed in paper sacks incorporating a polyethylene liner net weight 20kg.

STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE

ARDEX X 7 R and ARDEX X 7 R W contain a reducing agent to control the level of Chromium VI when mixed prior to use. ARDEX X 7 R and ARDEX X 7 R W must be stored in unopened packaging, clear of the ground in cool dry conditions and protected from excessive draughts.

If stored correctly, as detailed above, and used within 12 months of the date shown on the packaging, the activity of the reducing agent in ARDEX X 7 R and ARDEX X 7 R W (added to control the level of soluble Chromium VI) will be maintained and this product will contain when mixed with water, no more than 0.0002% (2ppm) soluble Chromium VI of the total dry weight of the cement content of this product. ARDEX X 7 R and ARDEX X 7 R W must not be used after the end of the declared storage period.

PRECAUTIONS

ARDEX X 7 R and ARDEX X 7 R W contains more than 20% Portland cement and therefore, in line with current legislation, is classified as irritating to eyes and skin.

For this reason the following precautions should be observed: avoid contact with skin and eyes; in case of contact with the eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice; wear suitable gloves; and keep the product out of the reach of children. Avoid generation of airborne dust during mixing. For further information consult the relevant health and safety datasheet.

ARDEX X 7 technical data