Description
ARDEX K 80 is a rapid-hardening, quick-drying self-levelling compound designed to resurface indoor concrete floors. It produces a wear surface finish suitable for commercial and industrial areas including warehouse floors, parking garages and utility areas. Manufactured by ARDEX Australia.
Two things separate it from a general-purpose smoothing compound: build depth and turnaround. It goes down from 5 mm to 50 mm in one application – deep enough to correct a badly worn industrial slab without staging the work – and it is walkable in about 2 hours, coatable at 24 hours and able to take heavy traffic at 48 hours. Also written ARDEX K80.
Technical Specifications
| Product type | Rapid-hardening, quick-drying self-levelling industrial compound |
|---|---|
| Substrate | Dry internal concrete subfloors |
| Application thickness | 5 mm to 50 mm in one application |
| Mixing ratio | 4 litres of water to 20 kg of powder |
| Mixing time | 2-3 minutes with an ARDEX mixing paddle and heavy-duty drill (650 rpm) |
| Working time | Do not rework after 10 minutes |
| Foot traffic | Approximately 2 hours |
| Ready to coat | 24 hours |
| Heavy traffic | 48 hours |
| Minimum subfloor temperature | 10 degrees C |
| Primer | ARDEX P 51, 1 part primer to 2 parts water over standard concrete |
| Coverage | Approximately 1.65 kg powder per square metre per mm |
| Bulking | 1/3 to 1 part approved ARDEX aggregate by volume for 10-50 mm |
| Packaging | 20 kg bag |
Coverage Rates
ARDEX K 80 consumes approximately 1.65 kg of powder per square metre for every millimetre of thickness. A 20 kg bag therefore covers:
| Thickness | Coverage per 20 kg bag |
|---|---|
| 5 mm | Approx. 2.4 m² |
| 10 mm | Approx. 1.2 m² |
| 20 mm | Approx. 0.6 m² |
| 30 mm | Approx. 0.4 m² |
| 50 mm | Approx. 0.24 m² |
Figures assume an even substrate. Allow additional material where the floor is rough, falls away or needs building to a datum. Above 10 mm the compound can be bulked with approved ARDEX aggregate, which reduces powder consumption.
Where to Use
- Warehouse and distribution floors
- Parking garages
- Utility and plant areas
- Commercial and industrial concrete floors needing a wear surface
- Resurfacing worn internal concrete before a coating system
How to Apply
- Prepare the floor – concrete must be solid, clean and free of wax, grease, asphalt, latex compounds, curing and sealing compounds and other contaminants. Mechanically prepare by shotblasting, scarifying, diamond grinding or shaving to leave a roughened, clean, sound and open porous surface. Acid etching is not acceptable, and solvents and sweeping compounds must not be used. Subfloors must be dry to AS 1884 and at least 10 degrees C.
- Check for moisture – where concrete moisture exceeds 80% relative humidity (ASTM F2170) or 15 g/m²/24 hrs (ASTM F1869), apply a moisture barrier: one coat of ARDEX WPM 300 at 3 m² per litre with ARDEX Primer Sand broadcast into the wet film, or one coat of ARDEX WPM 368 at 3 m² per litre, over which the levelling compound can go directly. Where rising damp is present or moisture exceeds 90% RH, refer to ARDEX Technical Bulletin 192.
- Prime – apply ARDEX P 51 mixed 1 part to 2 parts water with a push broom, leaving no bare spots and brushing off puddles. Allow to dry to a thin, clear film for a minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of 24 hours. Very absorbent concrete needs two coats, the first at 1 part P 51 to 3 parts water and the second at 1 to 1.
- Mix – add the powder to 4 litres of water per 20 kg bag while mixing, using an ARDEX mixing paddle on a heavy-duty electric drill at 650 rpm for 2 to 3 minutes. Always mix powder into water, and do not over-water. Concrete mixers and hand mixing are not suitable.
- Place – pour onto the primed subfloor and spread with an ARDEX gauging rake set to the required thickness, working in studded boots to avoid marking the wet surface. Smooth with the ARDEX stand-up spreader and, where needed, a hand trowel. Do not rework after 10 minutes. Further layers may be applied once the previous layer has hardened sufficiently, priming between layers.
- Protect – once hardened, protect the surface from wear, oil, salt, chemicals, abrasives and water with a suitable wear protection system. Epoxy coatings or flooring paints can be used for heavy traffic areas.
Important Notes
- ARDEX K 80 is for internal use over dry concrete subfloors only.
- Acid etching is not an acceptable method of preparing the subfloor.
- Do not use ARDEX P 82 over highly power-trowelled or extremely dense non-porous concrete – these surfaces must be mechanically roughened and primed with ARDEX P 51.
- Low subfloor temperatures and high ambient humidity extend primer drying times. Do not install the levelling compound until primers have dried thoroughly.
- The compound can be pumped; confirm compatibility with ARDEX Technical Services and the pump manufacturer first.
- For thicknesses between 10 mm and 50 mm the compound may be bulked with approved ARDEX aggregate – mix with water first, then add 1/3 to 1 part aggregate by volume, wetting it through evenly. A final smoothing coat of ARDEX K 80 may be needed when bulking.
- The hardened surface should not be left unprotected in service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much ARDEX K 80 do I need per square metre?
ARDEX K 80 consumes approximately 1.65 kg of powder per square metre for each millimetre of thickness, so a 20 kg bag covers approximately 2.4 square metres at 5 mm. At 10 mm a bag covers roughly 1.2 square metres and at 20 mm roughly 0.6 square metres. Figures assume an even substrate; allow additional material where the floor is rough or falls away.
How long before you can walk on ARDEX K 80?
ARDEX K 80 can be walked on after approximately 2 hours. It can be coated after 24 hours and subjected to heavy traffic after 48 hours. Working time is short – do not rework the material after 10 minutes. Low subfloor temperatures and high ambient humidity extend drying times, and the subfloor must be at least 10 degrees C.
Does ARDEX K 80 need to be primed first?
Yes. Use ARDEX P 51 over standard concrete floors, mixed 1 part P 51 to 2 parts water and applied evenly with a push broom – not a roller, mop or spray. Brush off any puddles and allow it to dry to a thin, clear film, which takes a minimum of 3 hours and a maximum of 24 hours. Very absorbent concrete needs two coats: a first coat diluted 1 part P 51 to 3 parts water, then a second at 1 part to 1 part. Highly power-trowelled or extremely dense non-porous concrete must be mechanically prepared to a rough, porous surface and primed with ARDEX P 51.
