Construction World November 2015

ADMIXTURES

TAL Bond Powder does, however, require mixing with water to become emulsified, before the adhesive or grout powder is added. This extra step is vital, as it ensures an even dispersion of the product in the mix. TAL Bond Powder is ideally-suited to a range of tiling applications, including: • Suspended slabs or wooden floors, which require enhanced flexibility to allow for movement. • Permanently moist or wet areas such as showers, bathrooms or swimming pools. • High thermal stress areas found in steam rooms or saunas. • External applications exposed to the elements. • High traffic areas and reduced temperature areas such as cold rooms. ADDITIVE AVAILABLE IN COMPACT POWDER FORM This can further be compounded by the lack of properly constructed tile panel movement joints. TAL Bond Powder is the latest innovation in tile adhesive and grout additive technology that helps to prevent these unwanted events, by enhancing the flexibility, bond strength and water resistance in tile adhesive and grout. >

43

Latex-based TAL Bond has long been recognised as an ideal replacement for water to add flexibility, bond strength and water resistance to cement-based tile adhesives and grout. As part of its ongoing commitment to market-leading research, development and innovation, TAL officially launched the powder-based form of this product – TAL Bond Powder – in September 2015. TAL Bond Powder is a special blend of dry-form polymer-based powder additives. TAL marketing manager Gela Ohl reveals that TAL Bond Powder, available in 1 kg sachets, is essentially a concentrated version of the liquid product. “Although it is not a latex powder, it fulfils a similar function, but is considerably easier to handle and transport in its packaging due to its compact size.” Approximately 5ℓ of TAL Bond liquid is required for one 20 kg bag of adhesive, which covers around 3 m 2 of floor tiling and up to 6 m 2 of wall tiling. Ohl indicates that for larger installations, transport and handling of TAL Bond becomes very bulky and costly. “A 1 kg sachet of TAL Bond Powder is suitable for 20 kg of adhesive or grout, 500 g for every 5 kg bag of grout, and 250 g for every 2 kg of grout. TAL Bond Powder is a white powder suitable for use with both dark and light coloured adhesives and grout. It further deepens the colour of grout and enhances its scratch resistance,” she continues. A fundamental difference between these two products is in the mixing. TAL Bond liquid is a water replacement, and is poured directly into the mixing bucket before the adhesive or grout powder is added. About TAL TAL, which is part of Norcros SA, has over 40 years’ experience in tiling installation materials. It supplies a range of specialist tiling installation products including tile adhesives, tile grout, floor primers, underlayment screeds, waterproofing as well as tiling tools. Its products are made in South Africa and are specifically formulated to suit local conditions. TAL is ISO 9001:2008 quality management system certified and its products are designed, manufactured and tested to TAL standards, assuring customers that products will perform to specification.

When using TAL Bond Powder it is important to first mix it with the required amount of water before adding the adhesive or grout. “The first step is to check the adhesive or grout packaging to see how much water is required for the mix, before pouring the stipulated amount of water into a clean mixing bucket, and adding the required amount of TAL Bond Powder to the water,” says Ohl. The next step is to mix the TAL Bond Powder thoroughly into the water until it is evenly

mixed. TAL adhesive or grout can then be added and mixed thoroughly to ensure uniform dispersion. “After following these simple steps, the user is ready to apply the mixed adhe- sive or grout in accordance with the instructions on the packaging for optimal results,” Ohl concludes.

TAL marketing manag- er Gela Ohl

CONSTRUCTION WORLD NOVEMBER 2015