Features

Setting of ceramic tiles in external environments.

Bonding Strength

Capacity of mortar to bond a piece to a specified substrate.

Adjustment Time

Available period after setting, in which the ceramic tile can have its position corrected without significant loss of ultimate strength. It is not convenient for the mortar to dry at the beginning as it will not allow the adjustment to take place.

Open Time

It is the period of time in which the dry set mortar can remain outspread on the wall without losing its bonding properties. It is very important that the settler knows the importance of this property and how to evaluate it in the job, in order to control the dimensions of the panels of mortar which he will open during the setting, according to the heat, ventilation and humidity.

The control of open time may be made on the job by means of a simple test:

Observation of the formation of a whitish film on the surface of the lines: On observing the formation of this film the setter may place the ceramic tile on the extended lines, taking care to not allow a rotation movement with the ceramic tile.

He must then secure the tile for approximately 30 seconds and immediately withdraw it. If at least 80% of the surface of the ceramic tile is not covered with dry set mortar, then the outspread mortar below should be withdrawn and discarded.

The open time for diverse dry set mortars varies, this being one of the parameters used in their sorting, per Brazilian regulations

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Working Time

It is the time, after adding water, in which the dry set mortar may be used after being prepared at room temperature. That time is of 2 hours, and no addition of water or any other product may be made during this period.