Rocatex Anti-Fracture Mat – Bulk Buy

Rocatex Anti-Fracture Mat extended information

Advanced 3-ply construction of 2 outer layers of non-woven polypropylene with a fibre reinforced inner glass filament layer offers many benefits. With its crack bridging properties and optimised shearing force protection, it allows new tiles to be laid on old and damaged floors, provided that these are still load-bearing.

The overlapping fixing method and non-curl material ensures a quick and easy installation and does away with the need for difficult butt-jointing. Tiling can commence immediately when used in conjunction with ROCATEX S1 / S2 rapid set adhesives. ROCATEX Anti-Fracture Mat is ideal for domestic and commercial projects.

With a thickness of only 0.7mm, ROCATEX Anti-Fracture Mat allows safe installation on challenging substrates without creating unnecessary build up. The mat is lightweight, easy to cut and is available in 30m rolls x 1m wide.

Rocatex Anti-Fracture Mat SURFACE PREPARATION

All surfaces must be clean, firm, dry, free from all loose matter including dust, dirt, oil, grease, laitance and any other contaminants that may affect adhesion. All substrates should be prepared to provide a rigid and secure base without deflection and suitable to support the intended weight. New timber should be given time to find equilibrium with its surroundings.

Should any screeds be uneven or in a poor condition, then consider using a suitable self levelling compound such as ROCATEX Fibreflow Rapid Flex Leveller prior to installing the ROCATEX Anti-Fracture Mat.

The following information provides further details for preparing various common substrates. Unless stated otherwise, any reference to the term “diluted” means 1 part primer mixed with 1 part clean water.

Anhydrite Screeds – The substrate must not leach moisture. Anhydrite screeds must not have a moisture content greater than 0.5% or 75% relative humidity (RH). This can easily be tested by taking moisture readings across the whole surface. It is essential that surface laitance is removed in accordance with the screed manufacturer’s recommendations, followed by vacuum cleaning to remove any loose material, then apply 2-4 neat coats of ROCATEX Acrylic Primer or 2 diluted coats of ROCATEX Ultimate Grip Primer.

Concrete Screeds – Prime with 2 diluted coats of ROCATEX Acrylic Primer or 1 diluted coat of ROCATEX Ultimate Grip Primer. Substrate curing before tiling can commence is approximately 6 weeks.

Power Floated Concrete – Once cured, power floated concrete should be mechanically abraded (scabbled or shot blasted) to remove any curing agents and open up the surface, followed by vacuum cleaning to remove any loose material, then apply 2 diluted coats of ROCATEX Acrylic Primer or 1 diluted coat of ROCATEX Ultimate Grip Primer.

Sand & Cement Screeds – Prime with 2 diluted coats of ROCATEX Acrylic Primer or 1 diluted coat of ROCATEX Ultimate Grip Primer. Substrate curing before tiling can commence is approximately 3 weeks.

Plywood – Must be a minimum thickness of 15mm, exterior grade, screwed down at 300mm centres and all joints must be supported. Prime the surface with 1 diluted coat of ROCATEX Acrylic Primer or 1 diluted coat of ROCATEX Ultimate Grip Primer.

Tongue & Groove Boards/Floorboards – Must be dry, rigid and securely fixed and screwed to joists at every 300mm. Prime the surface with 1 diluted coat of ROCATEX Acrylic Primer or 1 diluted coat of ROCATEX Ultimate Grip Primer.

Chipboard – Must be a minimum thickness of 22mm, moisture resistant quality, screwed down at 300mm centres and all joints must be supported. Apply 1 neat coat of ROCATEX Acrylic Primer or ROCATEX Ultimate Grip Primer to all exposed edges and joints and then apply either 1 neat coat of ROCATEX Ultimate Grip Primer or a slurry coat to the surface: 1 part cement adhesive powder to 1 part ROCATEX Acrylic Primer, apply a thin coat with a brush and allow to dry.

Cement Based Tile Backer Boards – Priming is not required if the surface is clean and free from all loose matter. Please note that priming is recommended prior to applying a self levelling compound.

Existing Tiles & Other Non-Porous Substrates – Apply either 1 neat coat of ROCATEX Ultimate Grip Primer and allow to dry or a slurry coat: 1 part cement adhesive powder to 1 part ROCATEX Acrylic Primer, apply a thin coat with a brush and allow to dry.

Flooring Grade Asphalt – Ensure the surface is in good condition and there are no signs of debonding and/or hollowness. Apply 1 neat coat of ROCATEX Ultimate Grip Primer and allow to dry.

Epoxy Damp Proof Membranes – Apply 1 neat coat of ROCATEX Ultimate Grip Primer and allow to dry.

Underfloor Heating – ROCATEX Anti-Fracture Mat can safely be laid on any kind of heated screeds without any impairment of the heating performance. Electrical or hot water heating systems can be laid directly on top of ROCATEX Anti-Fracture Mat.

Existing underfloor heating must be switched off at least 3 days prior to tiling to allow the substrate to cool. Once tiling has been completed allow 1 week before turning the heating system back on. Start with a low temperature and gradually increase at 5°C per day.

When tiling on to new electric underfloor heating, we recommend the use of a suitable self levelling compound to encase the heat mat, for example ROCATEX Fibreflow Rapid Flex Leveller. Once tiling has been completed allow 1 week before turning the heating system on. Start with a low temperature and gradually increase at 5°C per day.

Wetrooms & Steam Rooms – ROCATEX Anti-Fracture Mat is recommended for use in all wetroom environments. When used in conjunction with ROCATEX Waterproof Tanking Coat, it forms part of an ideal system to cope with the additional demands of these environments.

Rocatex Anti-Fracture Mat APPLICATION

Please note that a ROCATEX C2FT S1 or S2 Rapid Flex adhesive should be used to fix ROCATEX Anti-Fracture Mat if tiling is to commence immediately. If using ROCATEX C2TE S1 Semi-Rapid Flex or Slow Flex Adhesive then the adhesive needs to set before tiling can commence.

Apply the mixed adhesive to the prepared surface and comb through with a 4mm notched trowel. Press the mat into place ensuring it is fully compressed into the bed of adhesive leaving no air voids. This can be achieved by pressing down and smoothing out the mat with the use of a flat edge trowel or suitable float or roller. A minimum overlap of 50mm is required when laying more than one sheet. The overlap should be stuck down with adhesive.

The mat should be laid into the tile adhesive before it skins over. Test open time by touching the adhesive bed with a finger; if adhesive transfers to the finger a safe bond is assured, if not, the adhesive must be removed and replaced with fresh material. Never add water or powder to a mix that has begun to set. Do not apply at substrate temperatures below 5°C or in conditions of extreme heat.

PLEASE NOTE

ROCATEX Anti-Fracture Mat is not suitable for:

• Bridging existing movement joints (but can be cut to follow the corresponding joints).
• Substrates with deflection (vertical movement).
• Exterior use.

STORAGE

Store in original packaging in a cool, dry, frost free environment.

Rocatex Anti-Fracture Mat technical data