Acigres is an extruded porcelain tile intended for pavements and finishes with high chemical and mechanical specifications. The tiles have been designed, manufactured and submitted to strict quality controls so that they fulfil this purpose. But for the resulting finish to be fully satisfactory and effective, the laying and sealing of the tiles must be carried out correctly according tothe following criteria.

PREPARATION

Both walls and floors should be prepared adequately : removal of dirt and dust, levelling, water proofing of surfaces subject to strong chemical attack and permanent dampness, preparation of slopes, etc.

PLACEMENT OF THE TILES

The most suitable adhesive should be selected in each case, depending on the support and the especifications.

A traditional system of cement and sand mortar (aproximate dosage 1:5) can be used, when the construction is new, although it is more and more usual to lay with special cement and mortar preparations adapted to each application.

ELASTIC AND EXPANSION JOINT

The elastic joints incorporated in structures, pavements, finishes, etc. in order to absorb contractions, dilatations, uneven footing, torsions, changes of temperature, etc. must be respected at all times.

In any case, areas of more than 50 m2 should not be laid without expansion joints. The edges of interior areas larger than these measurements should be left free for an elastic joint, in addition to any longitudinal and tansverse joints required to achieve surfaces that do not exceed the above area.

It is understood that the elastic joints must also traverse the supporting pavement

These joints should be sealed with material adapted to the chemical and mechanical specifications to which the finish is to be subjected.

JOINTS BETWEEN THE TILES AND THEIR SEALING

The Acigres tiles must be laid with a joint width of 5 mm, approximately. We do not preconise wider joints for this kind of material to make the sealing easier and cheaper regarding the quantity of special product that use to be expensive for these special applications. The space between the tiles must be completely filled up to the level of the tiles surface to protect the edges , particulary against the heavy driving traffic. We neither preconise thiner joints to assure the complete filling of joints and compensate the sizes tolerances, unavoidable for this kind of tiles.

In the food industry where there are increased specifications concerning hygiene, chemical attack, physical resistance, to mechanical traffic and, on many occasions, the permanent presence of water or dampness, the cement used will have to be based on an epoxy resin with two components. For the chemical industry, some applications may require greater resistance. This should be considered in each case.

The application of the epoxy resin cement may be done using a rubber towel or spray gun. The joints should be clean and free of oil, grease, dust and dampness. The foundation concrete should be completely set. The two components should be mixed thoroughly for 2 or 3 minutes using a mechanical stirrer.

CLEANING

After sealing the joint should be smooth and any cement remaining on the tile removed with a sponge-cloth soaked in water that is as hot as possible.

Rinse and renew the water frequently in order to get the tiles as clean as possible by completely eliminating all excess cement.

After approximately 24 hours, the tiles should be thoroughly cleaned with a mixture of one part of universal solvent and four parts of very hot water.

Mechanical methods such as machines with rotary brushes fitted with a tank supplying the cleaning mixture may also be used.

After many years of close collaboration and experience , ICB S.A., recommends the products of the company BETTOR, S.A., for placement (reparation and levelling of the support, adhesives, additives, primers, etc.) as well as sealing cements, without prejudice of any other products, of proven quality, that are in the market.