Description
Roberts TFA MS Timber Flooring Adhesive – 600ml
– 600ml Sausage
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
ROBERTS TFA is a Green Tag Certified, single-part, permanently flexible,
solvent and isocyanate free MS adhesive designed for fixing timber flooring as well
approved acoustic underlays to the most common subfloors.
FEATURES:
✔ Green Tag Certified
✔ Building Green Credits
✔ Green Star Compliant
✔ Solvent & Isocyanate
✔ Will not re-emulsify on water contact
✔ Easy to trowel and spread
RECOMMENDED USE:
ROBERTS R656 Pressure Sensitive Adhesive is suitable for use with:
- Bonding approved acoustic underlays to the most common subfloors.
- Bonding, solid timber flooring, Parquet flooring, and engineered timber
flooring to approved acoustic underlay and direct fixing to most common subfloors.
SURFACE PREPARATION:
- Subfloors must be prepared in accordance with Australian Standard 1884
for Floorcoverings. - All surfaces to be bonded shall be absorbent, dry, smooth, sound, clean,
free of wax, grease, paint, previously used adhesive, polish, curing compounds,
hydrostatic pressure and any other impurities that may affect adhesion. - If mechanical preparation is required, prepare the floor using
recommended techniques such as shot blasting and diamond grinding to provide a
roughened, clean, sound, and open porous surface. - Thoroughly vacuum loose material and dust.
- The minimum subfloor temperature before commencing surface preparation
and adhesive application is 10°C. - Where temperatures are less than 10⁰C or greater than 30⁰C are
encountered, contact RLA technical staff for advice.
CONCRETE SUBSTRATES:
- All concrete subfloors must be tested for moisture content.
- Relative humidity readings should be determined as per ASTM F2170.
- The relative humidity (RH) is to be below 85% (tested as per ASTM F2170
insitu probe method). - If the RH of the sub-floor is above 85%, the application of RLA MOISTURE
SEAL is recommended. - Indentations and uneven concrete subfloors should be treated with the
ROBERTS range of levelling compounds. - Refer to individual product TDS for further information and application
instructions.
MOISTURE PROTECTION:
- Concrete slabs can be a source of excess moisture.
- To prevent moisture migration through concrete substrates apply two
coats of RLA MOISTURE SEAL. - Ensure the timber adhesive is applied over Moisture Seal within 3 days
after the application. - Please refer to the Product TDS for further information and application
instructions.
TIMBER SUBSTRATES:
- Timber flooring must be solid, sound, clean and free from wax, oil, free
from gaps and securely fixed and in accordance with the Timber Flooring ManufacturesInstructions and relevant Australian Standards.
- Timber Flooring and Particle Board may be coated with a resin waterproof
protective layer. - This layer can act as a bond breaker and affect adhesion of applied
finishes. - It should be removed by sanding the subfloor before applying timber
flooring. - For installation of timber flooring onto timber substrates, it is
recommended to nail/ secretly fix Timber Flooring in combination with the adhesive
application. - Ensure adequate cross-flow ventilation and that the minimum height
clearance between earth and the timber flooring is in accordance with the relevant
Australian Standards. - Failure to have adequate ventilation can result moisture build up under
the subfloor and can compromise the installation of underlayment and Floorcoverings.
APPLICATION:
BONDING ACOUSTIC UNDERLAY TO THE SUB-FLOOR:
- Apply the adhesive evenly with a 2-3mm V notched trowel (dependent on
underlay type) at a rate of approx. 2m2 per litre. Please refer to the underlay or
timber manufacturer’s instructions for specific trowel size. - Install the underlay into the wet adhesive film and ensure transfer
occurs between the adhesive film and the underlay. - Roll the underlay with a suitable roller to ensure a minimum 100%
transfer rate of adhesive film is achieved between the underlay and subfloor. - Allow the adhesive to dry for 24 hours prior to installing the floor-
covering
BONDING TIMBER FLOORING SYSTEMS TO ACOUSTIC UNDERLAY:
- Apply adhesive evenly with a 3-5mm V notched trowel at a rate of approx.
1 – 1.2m2 per litre. Please refer to the timber manufacturer’s instructions for
specific trowel size. - Install the timber flooring into the wet film of adhesive and ensure
transfer occurs between the adhesive film and the timber flooring. - A minimum of 100% (Transfer) contact between the underlay and timber
flooring is required. Maintain full contact with adhesive until full cure is
achieved. - For best results timber flooring should be installed within 30 minutes
of the adhesive.
CONCRETE & CEMENTITIOUS SUBSTRATES:
- Apply adhesive evenly with a 4-5mm V notched trowel at a rate of approx.
1 – 1.2 m2 per litre. - Always refer to the timber manufacturer’s instructions for specific
trowel size. - Install the timber flooring into the wet film of adhesive and ensure
transfer occurs between the adhesive film and the timber flooring. - A minimum of 100% (Transfer) contact between the substrate and timber
flooring is required. - Maintain full contact with adhesive until full cure is achieved.
- For best results timber flooring should be installed within
30 minutes of the adhesive’s application.
TIMBER SUBSTRATES:
- Apply adhesive evenly with a 4-5mm V notched trowel at a rate of approx.
1-1.2 m2 per litre. - Always refer to the timber manufacturer’s instructions for specific
trowel size. - Install the timber flooring into the wet film of adhesive and ensure
transfer occurs between the adhesive film and the timber flooring. - A minimum of 100% (Transfer) contact between the substrate and timber
flooring is required. - Maintain full contact with adhesive until full cure is achieved
- For best results timber flooring should be installed within 30 minutes
of the adhesive’s application
CURE TIMES:
- Roberts TFA Adhesive will typically form a firm skin in two hours and
cure in approximately 24 hours. - Do not allow heavy traffic for 24 hours.
- Sanding can commence 3 to 7 days after the completion of the entire
installation but vary due to climatic conditions – please check with the
manufacturer. - Cure times can vary substantially and are dependent on weather
conditions such as temperature and humidity. - Hotter and more humid conditions will increase the rate of cure and
decrease the skin time, whereas colder climates and lower humidity will decrease
cure times and increase skin times. - NOTE: Figures based on normal ambient temperatures of 23°C and 50%
RH.
CLEAN UP:
- Clean tools and equipment immediately after use with a suitable solvent
such as white spirits or alternatively Citrus based RLA Handy Wipes. - Cured adhesive can be removed by mechanical means or with RLA Handy
Wipes
COVERAGE:
- 2 to 3mm V-notched trowel will achieve coverage of approximately 2
square metres per litre. - A 4 to 5mm V-notched trowel will achieve coverage of 1 to 1.2 square
metres per litre.
PACKAGING:
- 10 Litre / 15 kg Containers
SHELF LIFE/STORAGE:
- 12 months when stored in original unopened packaging.
- To be stored in a cool dry and weatherproof environment off the ground.
- Once opened curing will commence – reseal as soon as possible and
discard any partially cured or skinned material.
PRECAUTIONS:
- Always ensure the flooring is placed into the wet film of adhesive and
apply sufficient pressure to ensure transfer occurs between the adhesive film and
the timber flooring. - DO NOT allow the adhesive to skin, and DO NOT place timber flooring onto
the skinned glue. - A minimum of 100% (Transfer) contact between the substrate and the back
of each piece of timber is required. - Maintain complete contact with an adhesive until full cure is achieved
after a minimum of 24 hours (mechanical fixing or weighing down is recommended). - Do not walk on laid matting during the first four hours after
installation. - Avoid air entrapment when making the bond or filling joints.
- For application details of timber flooring systems, contact the
manufacturer. - Care should be taken to prevent any reaction or damage to pre-finished
timber coatings. - Do not use adhesive in excessively hot or cold conditions, i.e., below
10°C or above 28°C. - This adhesive will not stand up to hydrostatic pressure or capillary
action. - Ensure your trowel is consistently notched to the manufacturer’s
recommendations. - Timber flooring systems must be acclimatised; refer to the timber
flooring manufacturers’ recommendations before using this adhesive. - If in doubt regarding the suitability of the adhesive, always contact
the manufacturer. - Do not apply over acrylic or PVA primers/sealers.
- Not recommended to be used in totally confined spaces as it requires
atmospheric moisture to cure properly. - Do not expose to water or alcohol-based cleaners before the complete
cure. - Adhesive must be fully cured before sanding; allow a minimum of 72
hours. - Compatibility tests must be first carried out.
- Due to the many forms of timber flooring available today, the installer
should undertake preliminary adhesion testing to confirm adhesion. - RLA Technical can assist with large projects.
- Do not apply over dense burnished concrete surfaces without abrading
first to obtain a mechanical key for the adhesive to bond.
SAFETY AND HANDLING:
- For information and advice on the safe handling, first aid, storage and
disposal of chemical products, users must refer to the most recent Safety Data Sheet
(SDS) containing physical, ecological, toxicological and other safety-related
data.



