ARDEX FS Flex - Flexible grout for grouting tiles with thin joints

Flexible grout for grouting tiles and screeds in thin joints. For filling, sealing, grouting or grouting thin joints from 1 to 6mm in tiles or ceramics. For grouting ceramic tiles or pieces, pavés, vitreous or porcelain mosaic, and natural stone not sensitive to humidity. Passable after 4 hours. Exterior and interior. Complies with EN 13888 CG1.

Field of application:

• For sealing joints or grouting ceramic tiles, racholas, mosaic (vitreous, porcelain, ceramic,...) glass and natural stone (not sensitive to moisture). Use on walls and floors, both indoors and outdoors. Joint widths from 1 to 6 mm. 
• With water-repellent, flexible properties and full sidewall adhesion.
• Highly dirt repellent. Particularly suitable for damp and wet areas, especially for showers.
• For indoor and outdoor use.

Description:

Cement-based powder, special additives and selected quartz-free fillers for grouting tiles.

Its advanced technology produces smooth, high-strength grouts, which combine ease of application with a very long wash-off time.

When mixed with water, a doughy, ductile, very low consumption mortar is obtained that is easy to work with, slows thin-bed drying, has a high filling capacity, high deformability and adheres firmly to the joints without cracking.

The resulting joint is smooth, crack-free, water-repellent and highly dirt-repellent.

Instructions for use:

Pour clear water into a mixing container and mix the ARDEX FS FLEX powder into a creamy, lump-free mortar.

On moisture-sensitive stones, ARDEX MG should be used, or it should be ensured by prior testing that using ARDEX FS FLEX will not result in any permanent discolouration of the edges.

GISCODE ZP1 = cementitious product, low chromate content.

Technical data

(based on tests carried out in our laboratory according to current standards)

Mixing ratio Approx. 7.5 litres of water per 25 kg bag, which is equivalent to 1 vol. water : 3 vol. powder.

Density Approx. 1.2 kg/litre

Density of fresh mortar Approx. 1,8 kg/l 

Yield 

For grouting tiles with joint widths of 3 mm and joint depth of 5 mm, for medium tiles or mosaic of approx. 

• 30x30 cm approx. 0.20 kg/m2
• 15x15 cm approx. 0.35kg/m2
• 10x10 cm approx. 0.50kg/m2
• 5x 5 cm approx. 0.90kg/m2

Mixing ratio:

25kg ARDEX FS FLEX powder: approx. 7.5 litres of water.

5 kg ARDEX FS FLEX powder: approx. 1.5 litres of water.

At a temperature of 20°C, the mortar can be used for approx. 90 minutes. Higher temperatures shorten this time and lower temperatures lengthen it.

The mortar is easy to work into the joints with a rubber spatula.

In the case of tiles prepared in a thick bed, the fixing mortar must be sufficiently dry to achieve a homogeneous absorption capacity on the joint surface and to avoid colour variations to a large extent. 

The grouted surfaces are cleaned after the mortar has set with a wet sponge and the joints are smoothed.

After a very long period of application, the surface must be dampened to facilitate the wash-off process. Mortar residues can be easily removed with a damp sponge.

If in doubt, carry out a preliminary test. 

Work ARDEX FS FLEX at temperatures between +5ºC and +30ºC. Brinell hardness

Recommendations:

On porous surfaces or matt tile or tile glazes, residues of grout may adhere, in these cases testing is essential. 

In case of acid treatment, the joints must be pre-soaked to saturation. The moisture content of the subfloor and the different absorption capacities of the tile edges can lead to variations in the colour shade of the grout joints. In spas and swimming pools and other heavily loaded constructions, epoxy resin adhesive and ARDEX WA grout are used instead of cementitious materials. For grouting in interior areas of marble or other materials, Ardex is responsible for the quality of its products. The application recommendations given here are based on tests and practical experience.

After:

• 1 day approx. 35 N/mm2
• 3 days approx. 55 N/mm2
• 7 days approx. 65 N/mm2
• 28 days approx. 75 N/mm2

Usage time (20 ºC) Approx. 90 min.

Transitability (20 ºC) After approx. 4 hours

Storage Approx. 12 months in a dry place and in its original closed container.