Description
ARDEX Optima is a premium-grade, two-component wall and floor tile adhesive. The powder and liquid are mixed on site to produce an adhesive with exceptional bond strength, suitable for fully vitrified and ceramic tiles, porcelain, concrete stone tiles such as terrazzo, glass and porcelain mosaics, and moisture-insensitive natural stone, on internal or external walls and floors. It is also rated for continuous immersion applications such as swimming pools. Manufactured by ARDEX Australia.
What the two-part formulation buys is substrate range. Where a standard cement-based adhesive needs a sound, porous, mineral surface, ARDEX Optima bonds to sheet timber flooring, galvanised and stainless steel, powder-coated cladding, brass, roughened fibreglass, Butynol and existing vinyl tiles. It is classified C2 TE S2 to ISO 13007 – the highly flexible class – and its high initial grab reduces the need to support tiles on walls while the bed sets.
Technical Specifications
| Product type | Two-component (powder and liquid) premium tile adhesive |
|---|---|
| Classification | C2 TE S2 (ISO 13007) |
| Colour | White powder / milky white liquid |
| Mixing ratio (adhesive) | 1 part liquid to 3 parts powder by weight – 1.7 litres liquid to 5 kg powder |
| Mixing ratio (primer with ARDEX X 56) | 2 parts powder to 1 part liquid |
| Open time | 25 minutes at 23 degrees C and 50% RH |
| Adjustment time | 20 minutes |
| Pot life | Approximately 45 minutes at 23 degrees C and 50% RH |
| Grouting time | 8 hours at 23 degrees C and 50% RH |
| Bed thickness | Greater than 1 mm and less than 8 mm; minimum 2 mm over blockwork and AAC |
| Underfloor heating | Suitable |
| Tensile adhesion, 28 days dry | 1.0 – 2.0 MPa |
| After water immersion | 1.0 – 2.0 MPa |
| After heat ageing | 1.0 – 2.0 MPa |
| After freeze-thaw | 1.0 – 2.0 MPa |
| Packaging (mini kit) | 5 kg powder in poly bag plus 1.7 kg liquid in plastic container |
| Packaging (large kit) | 6 x 5 kg powder in poly bags plus 10 kg liquid in plastic pail |
| Shelf life | 12 months unopened, stored dry at 23 degrees C and 50% RH |
Coverage Rates
Use a 6 mm notched trowel for walls and a 10 mm notched trowel for floors as a general guide, selecting the final trowel from AS 3958 Table 5.6.2.2 for the nominal tile size.
| Kit | 6 mm trowel | 10 mm trowel |
|---|---|---|
| Mini kit | Approx. 3 m² | Approx. 2 m² |
| Large kit | Approx. 16 m² | Approx. 10 m² |
Used as a primer over timber flooring, 1 kg of mixed ARDEX Optima slurry covers approximately 1.2 m² applied with a pre-wetted 15 mm nap roller. Coverage varies with substrate condition, tile type and application technique.
Where to Use
- Rendered brick and blockwork
- Tilt-up and pre-cast concrete, mechanically prepared concrete, aerated concrete and cement renders
- Powder-coated cladding, galvanised metal, degreased stainless steel and brass
- ARDEX liquid-applied undertile waterproofing membranes and Butynol
- Medium density fibre-cement sheet, compressed fibre-cement sheet and plasterboard
- Roughened fibreglass
- Existing ceramic tiles, thoroughly cleaned
- Sheet timber flooring (internal)
- Swimming pools and other constant-immersion applications
How to Apply
- Prepare the substrate – the surface must be clean, firm, dry and free of dust, oil, grease, curing compounds and release agents, and strong enough to carry the tiles. Allow concrete to cure at least 4 weeks and renders or screeds 7 days before tiling. Smooth or dense concrete above 35 MPa must be mechanically prepared to a CSP2 profile. Prime porous substrates with ARDEX Multiprime.
- Mix – stir the liquid, pour the measured volume into a clean plastic container, then add the powder at 1 part liquid to 3 parts powder while stirring with a mechanical paddle mixer. Mix until homogeneous, allow to stand for 2 minutes, then re-stir before use. Do not add more liquid to reinvigorate the mix.
- Comb out – select the trowel from the substrate, tile type and size per AS 3958 Table 5.6.2.2. Total bed thickness must not exceed 8 mm, and may be built in two 4 mm layers including the final fixing bed. Spread only what can be tiled within the 25-minute open time.
- Fix the tiles – press each tile firmly into the combed bed and slide at right angles to the notch pattern to meet the contact requirement in AS 3958. Back-butter ribbed or keyed tiles and any tile 400 mm or more in either direction. Do not spot fix. Lift a tile occasionally to check for voids.
- Clean and grout – remove surplus adhesive from tile faces and joints before it sets and wash tools with water immediately after use. Grouting time is 8 hours at 23 degrees C and 50% relative humidity; allow longer for dense tiles or substrates, humid climates and low temperatures. Where movement is anticipated, gauge ARDEX cement-based grout with ARDEX Grout Booster.
Important Notes
- Tiling and movement joints must comply with Australian Standard AS 3958.
- Pot life is approximately 45 minutes. Re-stirring is acceptable up until the pot life expires, but do not add liquid to restore workability.
- Do not use ARDEX Optima over timber in external situations, excepting external grade plywood – timber is moisture-unstable outdoors.
- Bitumen is not a suitable surface to tile over with ARDEX Optima; membrane integrity cannot be guaranteed once tiled and bleeding may occur.
- On fibreglass, remove the gel coat to expose at least 80% raw fibre. Not suitable for preformed shower bases, spas or underwater fibreglass applications.
- Do not use ARDEX Optima as a render to smooth walls; brickwork and uneven surfaces must be rendered first.
- Old vinyl tiles may contain asbestos and require special handling.
- For moisture-sensitive natural stone, use products from the ARDEX Natural Stone System instead.
- Store in the original unopened packaging in a dry place; shelf life is 12 months at 23 degrees C and 50% relative humidity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much area does an ARDEX Optima kit cover?
The mini kit covers approximately 3 square metres with a 6 mm notched trowel or 2 square metres with a 10 mm notched trowel. The large kit covers approximately 16 square metres with a 6 mm trowel or 10 square metres with a 10 mm trowel. As a general guide, use a 6 mm notched trowel for walls and a 10 mm notched trowel for floors. Used as a primer over timber flooring, 1 kg of mixed slurry covers approximately 1.2 square metres with a pre-wetted 15 mm nap roller.
What is the mixing ratio for ARDEX Optima?
As a tile adhesive, ARDEX Optima is mixed at 1 part liquid to 3 parts powder by weight – that is 1.7 litres of liquid to 5 kg of powder. The kit is divided into six equal components so the ratio can be measured accurately. Stir the liquid, pour the measured amount into a clean plastic container, then add the powder while mixing with a paddle mixer until homogeneous. Let it stand for 2 minutes and re-stir before use. Used as a primer over plywood or particleboard with ARDEX X 56, the ratio changes to 2 parts powder to 1 part liquid.
Can ARDEX Optima be tiled over timber flooring?
Yes, internally. Sheet timber flooring is one of the substrates ARDEX Optima is designed for, and it can also be used as a priming slurry over sheet plywood and particleboard in combination with ARDEX X 56. It must not be used over timber in external situations – excepting external grade plywood, timber is considered unsuitable for external tiling because of moisture instability.
