SikaCeram®-255 StarFlex LD AE
CEMENT BASED, DEFORMABLE, HIGH PERFORMANCE TILE ADHESIVE
SikaCeram®-255 StarFlex LD AE is a cement-based, high performance, polymer containing, deformable, one-pack tile adhesive. It can be used in layers up to 10 mm. SikaCeram®-255 StarFlex LD AE is suitable for setting all kind of tiles on both floors and walls, inside and outside for residential and commercial areas on heated floors, balconies, terraces and swimming pools. Suitable for use in hot and tropical climatic conditions.
- Very good adhesion
- Easy to mix and use
- Excellent workability and thixotropic consistency
- Water resistant
- Extended open time
- Single component system
- Deformable
- No vertical slipping
- Smooth application
Usage
- Suitable for bonding of high absorption ceramic tiles, earthenware, extruded and refined porcelain tiles
- Suitable for bonding of large size tiles used in industial enviroment, wet areas, swimming pools, etc.
- Suitable for bathrooms, kitchens, balconies, terraces, etc.
- Indoor and outdoor application over concrete, cement mortars, bricks and plaster
- Suitable for indoor application over various types of drywalls
- Suitable for moisture tolerant natural stone
- Suitable to tile directly on various Sika waterproofing products
Advantages
- Very good adhesion
- Easy to mix and use
- Excellent workability and thixotropic consistency
- Water resistant
- Extended open time
- Single component system
- Deformable
- No vertical slipping
- Smooth application
Packaging
25 kg bag
Colour
Grey powder
Product Details
SUSTAINABILITY
- SikaCeram®-255 StarFlex LD AE is certified according "Low Emitting Materials as per Al Sa'fat - Dubai Green Building Evaluation System" by Dubai Central Laboratory (DCL), certificate No. CL17020432
- California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Method - VOC emission test: PASS
APPROVALS / CERTIFICATES
SikaCeram®-255 StarFlex LD AE follows the main requirements of EN 12004 and ISO 13007-1 for class C2 TE S1 and main requirements of ANSI 118.15, ANSI 118.4 and ANSI 118.1.
Composition
Portland cement, selected aggregates and polymers
Shelf life
12 months minimum from date of production
Storage conditions
Store in undamaged, unopened, original sealed packaging in dry conditions at temperatures between 5 °C and 35 °C. Protect from direct sunlight, heat and moisture.
Maximum grain size
0.6 mm
System structure
In normal conditions no primer is required.
However for uncommon substrates please refer to Sika Technical Department.
Transverse deformation
| Value w/p=0.29 | Requirements EN 12004-1, class S1 |
| ≥2.5 mm | ≥2.5 mm |
Tensile adhesion strength
| w/p = 0.29 | Value | Requirement EN 12004, class C2 |
| Initial | ≥ 1.3 N/mm2 | ≥ 1.0 N/mm2 |
| After water imersion | ≥ 1.0 N/mm2 | ≥ 1.0 N/mm2 |
| After heat ageing | ≥ 1.0 N/mm2 | ≥ 1.0 N/mm2 |
Shear adhesion strength
| w/p=0.29 | Value | Requirements |
| 7 days water immersion Glazed wall tile | ≥ 250 psi | ≥ 250 psi |
| w/p=0.29 | Value | Requirements |
| 28 days Pocelain mosaic tile | ≥ 200 psi | ≥ 200 psi |
Skid / slip resistance
| Value w/p=0.29 | Requirements EN 12004-1, class T |
| ≤0.5 mm | ≤0.5 mm |
Application
Mixing ratio
7.0 to 7.5 L of water per 25 kg bag
Fresh mortar density
~1.60 kg/l (25 °C)
Layer thickness
Min. 2 mm
Max. 5 mm on vertical areas
Max. 10 mm (locally up to 12 mm thickness possible, for leveling purpose)
Ambient air temperature
+5 °C min. / +35 °C max.
Substrate temperature
+5 °C min. / +35 °C max.
Pot Life
~6 h (23 °C)
Open Time
| ~30 min. (23 °C) | (EN 1346) |
Adjustability time
~50 min. (23 °C)
Applied product ready for use
| Floor tiles can be grouted | After 24 - 36 h |
| Wall tiles can be grouted | After 4 - 6 h |
| Full traffic / use | After 14 d After 21 d - for swimming pools |
Consumption
Powder consumption and coverage depends on the surface profile and roughness of the substrate, size and reverse profile of the tiles and the placing technique (simple placing "floating" or back to back “buttering-floating”).
As a guide:
For 1 mm thickness over 1 m2 area, approximately 1.2 kg of powder is required.
For small sized tiles (side ≤30 cm), use small squared notch size trowel (4-6 mm) and progressively increase for medium tiles (side ≤45 cm, trowel 6-8mm) or large tiles (side ≤60 cm, trowel 8-10 mm)
This figure is theoretical and do not allow for any additional material due to surface porosity, surface profile, variations in level, wastage or any other variations. Apply product to a test area to calculate the exact consumption for the specific substrate conditions and proposed application equipment.
EQUIPMENT
Select the most appropriate equipment required for the project:
Substrate preparation equipment
- Grinding equipment
- Abrading equipment
- Power washing equipment
- Sandblasting equipment
Mixing equipment
- Low speed electric single or double paddle mixer (300–400 rpm) with a spiral mixing paddle.
Application equipment
- Notched trowel
MIXING
- Mix a bag with the necessary, above mentioned, amount of water, using an electric blender with a suitable mixing spiral at low speed, in a clean bucket, and up to obtain a smooth paste free of lumps.
- Use a blender at 500 rpm maximum; do not mix at faster rate because of mechanical strength decay of the cured product.
- After blending, leave the product curing for 5 minutes in the mixing container and then briefly stir the mix prior to application.
- Always start with minimum recommended quantity of water (water/powder ratio), only if required, gradually add water to desired consistency. Do not exceed maximum allowed limit of water per bag weight.
- The obtained mix results should be very creamy, easily spreadable and thixotropic.
- Do not mix more material than can be used within 60 minutes.
APPLICATION
SikaCeram®-255 StarFlex LD AE is applied using notched trowel.
The amount of product should be enough to ensure complete wetting of the tiles rear. Tiling has to be carried out on fresh glue, exerting an adequate pressure to ensure contact with the adhesive, and thus the perfect bonding. In case a surface film is formed on the adhesive, it is necessary to wipe the trowel on the adhesive layer previously applied. Avoid wetting already applied adhesive with water, as it may negatively affect its properties.
Note: For large tiles and permanently submerged areas, the double spreading ("buttering/floating") technique is always recommended.
Adhesive application
- Apply sufficient adhesive to the prepared fixing surfaces with the notched trowel to the required bed thickness.
- Adjust tiles if required.
- Clean off surplus adhesive from tile face and between tile joints before the adhesive has dried.
CLEANING OF EQUIPMENT
Clean all tools and application equipment with water immediately after use. Hardened / cured material can only be mechanically removed.