Flex

Acrylic elastomer-based product in water dispersion to be added to:

• Aquaproof for water-proofing and flexibilising cement coatings which are resistant to freezing and thawing cycles, to de-icing salts and to abrasion, with high adhesion to the background and high resistance to the diffusion of carbon dioxide. Flexibilised Aquaproof also maintains its flexibility at very low temperatures.
• Tile 250, Tile 350, Tile 600, Tile 450, Tile 480, Tile 700, Tile 900, T 50, T 250 and T 480 for creating highly flexible adhesive layers having high deformability and excellent adhesive strength on a wide range of substrates.

Instructions for use

Aquaproof:
The surface to be treated must not be subject to seepage, must be solid and smooth. It must also be suitably keyed, free from bits of cement and loose particles. It must be clean and free from paint film residues. If there is any efflorescence, this must be removed thoroughly and then neutralised using Antisale. Surface defects such as gravel pockets, worn and deteriorated points and spacer holes must be repaired and levelled off before applying the waterproofing fine mortar (using Umafix, for example). The floor-wall joints must be concave (“shell”) shaped. Wet the surface to be treated until it is completely saturated. Do not apply the mortar when the temperature is below +5 °C. Protect the surface from direct sunlight and strong winds. During application and the plastic stage of flexibilised Aquaproof, there must be no water seepage on the surface. Mix Aquaproof with 40% of Flex (1 plastic container of Flex per 1 bag of Aquaproof) mixing, if possible, with a low RPM mechanical mixer until the mix is even and without lumps. In the hot season, for applications to very porous backgrounds, the thickness of the first coat can be modified slightly by adding water. Only prepare a quantity of mix which can be applied within 60 minutes (at 20 °C). Apply the mix with a flat brush -do not use more than 1 kg/m2 for each coat. Do not exceed this thickness or the surface of the coat will crack. Apply the next coat when the previous one is dry to touch (1-2 hours after application). Longer intervals are also possible. Under normal conditions, the product is completely hardened after 7 days and can then be subjected to mechanical and chemical stress. The equipment must be cleaned before the flexibilised Aquaproof hardens. For any subsequent treatment of the flexible Aquaproof + Flex coating, contact the Technical Office.

Tile 250, Tile 350, Tile 600, Tile 450, Tile 480, Tile 700, Tile 900, T 50 T 250 and T 480:
The surfaces to be covered must be suitably dry, solid and regular, clean and free of oils and greases, dust, loose material, dirt of any kind and any traces of old paint. The surfaces must also be sufficiently cured and free of significant shrinkage. As a general rule, traditional cement bedding with normal setting and hardening must be cured for at least 28 days. Cement or cement lime plasters must be dried for at least 14 days. On indoor or outdoor surfaces waterproofed with Flex 2K, Flex 1K or Aquaproof + Flex, apply at least 7 days after the water proofing treatment. Major surface imperfections and irregularities such as level differences, cavities, gravel pockets and eroded or deteriorated points must be repaired in advance and filled out with a self-levelling smoothing product e.g. Livellina 0–10, or with a suitables moothing compound e.g. Rinnova. Gypsum, anhydrite or composite surfaces must be treated in advance with Tile Primer. Use of the product as is or diluted will depend on the deformability properties required (S1 or S2 according to EN 12002). (See table) Pour almost all the mixing liquid required in a suitable container. Then add the powder product, slowly, and mix at the same time using a low speed electrical drill with mixer attachment. Once you have added all the powder product, pour in the rest of the liquid and mix until the product is even and without lumps. Make sure you remove all non-mixed lumps of material from the walls and the bottom of the container. Allow the mixture to stand for about 5 minutes and then mix again briefly. The adhesive mix prepared in this way has a pot life in the container of about 4hours under normal conditions (at 20 °C). Higher temperatures reduce the pot life, lower temperatures increase it. If subject to direct sunlight, that is, high temperatures, wet the surface with a sponge to cool it and then wait until all the surface water has evaporated. Apply the adhesive with an appropriate toothed trowel. The size of the trowel teeth depends on the type and size of the tile to be glued: total coverage of the back of the tiles must be guaranteed. For better adhesion, first apply a thin and uniform layer of adhesive on the surface using the smooth part of the toothed trowel and then apply, immediately, a second layer of the thickness required using the toothed part of the trowel. To lay tiles, closely follow the instructions on the instruction sheet of the adhesive powder you are using, paying special attention to tile size and tile back relief pattern, climatic conditions and adhesive “open time”. After laying, protect the tiles against rain and scouring for at least 24 hours and against direct sunlight for at least 7 days. If laying in the winter, protect against frost for at least 7 days. After laying tiles in cold storage rooms, wait at least 7days before using the cold store. Joints between wall and floor tiles can be grouted after about 24 hours, using Tile Grout 2-15mm. Laid floor tiles can be walked on after about 24 hours. Final hardening takes about 14 days. Wait at least 28 days before filling swimming pools and tanks. The tools used for laying maybe cleaned with water before the adhesive hardens. Once the adhesive has hardened, you may only clean them using mechanical instruments. Any dirt on the surface of the tiles must be cleaned before the adhesive hardens using a damp cloth. Do not apply the product at temperatures below +5 °C or above +35 °C. The mix cannot be diluted with water once it has started setting. Do not use the mixed product when it has already started to set. Therefore, always prepare quantities of mix which can be used within the pot life.

Storage

Store in a protected area at temperatures higher than +5 °C. Protect from frost. If closed in the original bags, it can be stored for at least 12 months.