Barrierflex

Waterproof, flexible adhesive for internal and external fixing of ceramic tiles

Beaumont Tile's Barrierflex is a technological breakthrough from the ABA Development Laboratories in that it is a truly elastomeric ceramic tile adhesive.

Barrierflex consists of a unique mix of polymers and special powders. Barrierflex features very low shrinkage and excellent adhesion.

Barrierflex is highly durable and will resist humidity, water and extreme climates. It can be used for wall cladding and installation of ceramic tiles, marble, granite, slate and stone. It can be used inside and outside over a variety of surfaces on both walls and floors.

Barrierflex exceeds the requirement of Australian Standard AS2358-1990

Technical characteristics

Barrierflex is a two part elastomeric ceramic tile adhesive composed of a liquid polymer and a special blend of powders, which, when mixed in the ratio of 4:1.5 powder:liquid (by weight), becomes an easy to apply paste. Minimum bed thickness should not be less than 1.5mm and never more than 10mm.

Barrierflex sets to enable floor to be ready for traffic after 48 hours depending on ambient temperature and surface porosity.

Barrierflex has a low shrinkage rate and excellent bonding, which makes it suitable for use on the most difficult surfaces. It has high resistance to impact, vibration, temperature changes and ageing.

Typical Applications

Barrierflex can be used to fix:

• Ceramic tiles on prefabricated panels (concrete and fibre-cement).

• Sheeted timber floors: after priming, tape joints with masking or PVC ducting tape.

• Ceramic tiles on pre-cast concrete walls, rendered brickwork etc.

• Ceramic tiles, etc. in concrete swimming pools.

• Ceramic tiles on floors, including those with underfloor heating.

• Ceramic tiles, slate and suitable stone tiles in outdoor applications (swimming pools, balconies, facades, terraces).

• Ceramic tiles in refrigeration units.

• Ceramic tiles on surfaces subject to movement (e.g. suspended concrete slabs).

• Tiles in commercial kitchens, dairies and other areas where limited chemical resistance and hygiene are required.

NOTE: Render coats should be approx. 10mm and screeds on floors a maximum of 25mm in bed thickness. Barrierflex should be applied only when the render or screed has dried sufficiently that trowelling does not scratch the surface.

Barrierflex can also be used:

• As a crack suppressant elastomeric membrane. Barrierflex is applied with a trowel to develop an elastic membrane that will prevent existing hairline cracks in the floor/wall from coming through the tile surface.

• As a waterproofing membrane for interior and exterior surfaces subject to water penetration (not rising damp).

Mixing

• Floors: 40kg:15litres

• Walls: 40kg:11 litres

• Membrane/Antifracture Membrane: 20kg:20litres

Application

Elastomeric anti-fracture membrane

Ensure surface is dry, clean and free from dust, grease, oil, wax and other contaminating materials.

Barrierflex can be used to fill small hairline surface shrinkage cracks. For cracks over 2mm wide the following preparation is required:

• Prime with Superflex Primer or ABA Multiprime.

• Remove loose particles and clean thoroughly. Fill cracks with a high quality silicone sealant or use PVC duct tape.

• Apply the first coat of Barrierflex then immediately roll out the 200mm strip of reinforcing mat into the wet coat. Immediately apply a second coat of Barrierflex to completely fill the mat.

Waterproofing Membrane

Ensure surface is dry, clean and free from dust, grease, oil, wax and other contaminating materials. Prime surface with Superflex Primer or Multiprime and allow to dry before applying 2 coats of Barrierflex.

Mix Barrierflex powder and Barrierflex liquid 1:1 by weight. Add powder to liquid and blend with a mechanical stirrer on low speed, until there are no lumps remaining.

Apply Barrierflex to the surface with a paint brush, roller or flat trowel, ensuring a thickness of at least 1mm, with no air bubbles, pinholes or gaps, through which water can penetrate. Apply second coat in a different direction.

Corners and Coving areas:

Apply a bead of flexible sealant (10mm) i.e., silicone or backer rod in coving areas and corners prior to applying Barrierflex.

Apply a liberal coat of Barrierflex by paint roller or brush. Immediately roll out the reinforcing fibre-glass matting (15mm wide) into the wet Barrierflex. Apply a second coat of Barrierflex to completely fill the mat.

Allow the membrane to set until it is hard enough so that trowelling does not damage it.

Fixing tiles

Tiles must be carefully selected to suit the area in which they will be used.

1. Ensure surface is dry, clean and free from dust, grease, oil, wax and any other contaminating materials. Prime the surface with ABA Multiprime, prior to tiling. When Barrierflex is mixed, it will stay fresh for approximately 2-3 hours in normal temperature and humidity. Apply adhesive mixture to the wall and floor using the appropriate size notched trowel, usually 6x6x6mm or 10x10x10mm. Beat the dry tiles into the ribs of the adhesive before it skins. The whole of the back of the tile must be in good contact with the adhesive.
   No spaces should be left beneath the tiles. The final bed must not be less than 1.5mm thick or more than 10mm.

2. Large size tiles may require buttering of the adhesive on the back of the tiles as well as spreading the adhesive on the background to ensure 100% coverage.

3. Wall tiles should be adjusted to give a space of at least 1.5mm between each tile (joint width).

4. Wall tiles should have a final joint width of no less than 3mm.

5. From time to time a tile should be removed to ensure correct coverage is being achieved.

6. Do not grout until the tiling has set firmly (usually the next day) and allow the adhesive to cure for at least 48 hours before walking on the floor.

NOTE:

Unfavourable weather conditions (e.g. strong sun, dry wind, high temperatures) or a highly absorbent surface may shorten open time, even quite drastically, to just a few minutes.

For this reason, there must be constant checks to see if the adhesive has formed a surface skin or is still fresh to touch ensuring an adequate transfer of the adhesive to the back of the tiles.

Grouting

Grouting should be done with a specific grout as recommended by Beaumont Tiles, depending on the size of the joints, and the conditions the tiled area will be subjected to, e.g., chemical resistance and where hygiene may be a requirement.

Movement joints

For floors, incorporate movement joints at no more than 5 metre intervals and around the perimeter of the floor. They must be incorporated between different background materials and at fixtures interrupting the tile surface e.g. columns etc.

Any structural movement joints must be carried through the face of the tiles. These joints should be about 6mm wide and kept free of adhesive and grout drippings. They should be filled with a suitable high quality flexible material. ABA's Grout Colours in Caulk may be used in domestic situations.

For walls, incorporate movement joints at 3.5 metre intervals, at internal vertical corners and at storey height for external fixing.

NOTE:

For swimming pool applications refer to Beaumont Tiles' Technical Specifications.

Coverage

One unit of 15 litres liquid and 40kg powder will cover approximately 14m² when using a 10x10x10mm notched trowel and 22m² using a 6x6x6mm notched trowel. When used as a waterproof membrane, the 1:1 mixture will require 0.6kg per m² for one coat and 1.2kg per m² for two coats.

Cleaning

Tools and tiles should be cleaned as soon as possible with water while Barrierflex is still fresh.

Shelf life

A shelf life of 12 months is expected when Barrierflex liquid and Barrierflex powder is stored in a dry place in the original unopened packaging.

Storage

Store in a dry place between 10^o and 30^oC. Protect Barrierflex from frost.

Precautions

In exterior conditions it is essential to provide protection from all extremes of climate during the whole fixing and grouting operation. Do not apply product when temperature is below 5^oC.

Quality Product

Barrierflex is manufactured and tested to ABA procedures which are maintained in accordance with Quality System Standard ISO 9001.

NOTE

Although the technical details and recommendations contained on this web page correspond to the best of our knowledge and experience, all the above information must, in every case, be taken as merely indicative and subject to confirmation after long term practical application.

Download Adhesive Technical Specification Guide (pdf file).