Industrial concrete floors are under constant pressure. Control joints manage slab movement, but heavy vehicle traffic creates impact and spalling, causing costly damage and downtime. ARDEX RA 54 restores these critical joints quickly. It’s a fast-setting, semi-rigid polyurea sealant that handles heavy-duty vehicle traffic in just 90 minutes. Restore full operation, fast.
ARDEX RA 54 is engineered for the unique demands of industrial concrete flooring. Its semi-rigid formulation and rapid cure prevent the significant operational downtime associated with traditional joint fillers. This product specifically addresses interior control joints and new construction saw joints in areas subject to intense wear from forklifts and heavy machinery. It safeguards joint edges from spalling and impact damage, ensuring a durable, trafficable surface with minimal disruption.
Success with ARDEX RA 54 begins with meticulous preparation. Substrates must be completely dry and cured for a minimum of 28 days. Clean and mechanically roughen surfaces, ensuring all dust and contaminants are removed from the joint. Before application, vigorously shake the cartridge for 60 seconds, then allow it to stand for five minutes. Purge the initial material until an even flow from both components is visible. Dispense using full, smooth trigger pulls, slightly overfilling the joint for a clean shave. The sealant cures sufficiently for shaving in approximately 45 minutes at 23°C. Clean tools and equipment immediately with white spirits or mineral turps before the material hardens. Ensure a compatible backer rod is placed to control joint depth and prevent three-sided adhesion, allowing for optimal joint performance.
No, Ardex RA 54 is engineered for interior control joints and new construction saw joints in horizontal concrete. It is not designed for expansion joints. For exterior applications, it handles minimal movement (10-12%).
Vehicle traffic can resume in 90 minutes after application. This rapid cure time is a key benefit, significantly minimising downtime in industrial or commercial settings.
It can be used outdoors where thermal cycling causes minimal joint movement, specifically 10% to 12% of the installed joint width. Be aware of an initial colour change from grey to grey-green, which will return to grey after approximately 90 days.
This product is hazardous and requires careful handling. Wear protective gloves, eye protection, and ensure adequate ventilation. Part A is toxic if swallowed or inhaled, and may cause skin and respiratory sensitisation. Refer to the SDS for full details.
| Application | Key benefit | Primary trades |
|---|---|---|
| Interior concrete control joints | Minimises joint edge spalling under heavy vehicle traffic due to semi-rigid (Shore A 75-80) strength, returning to service in 90 minutes. | Concrete contractors, industrial flooring specialists |
| New construction saw joints on concrete | Prevents joint degradation with rapid cure, allowing other trades and traffic to proceed quickly after 90 minutes, ensuring project efficiency. | Commercial builders, flooring installers |
| Exterior concrete joints with minimal movement | Provides durable fill for concrete joints experiencing limited thermal movement (10-12%), maintaining integrity against weather and light use. | Landscapers, maintenance crews |
Ensure the substrate and environment are completely dry. New concrete must be 28+ days old. Cut or re-cut joint edges to a vertical 90° angle. Do not create a feathered edge. For heavy traffic, ensure joint depth is minimum 60mm. For light traffic, minimum 13mm. Blow out all dust, debris, and contaminants.
To allow for the 10-12% joint movement and prevent 3-sided adhesion, install a backer rod or a small amount of Kiln-Dried sand to the bottom of the joint. This is critical to prevent bond failure from joint expansion or contraction.
Insert the 254mL cartridge into a heavy-duty caulking gun. Remove the plastic cap. Dispense a small amount until both materials flow evenly. Secure the mixing nozzle. Pointing up, purge air from the nozzle, then dispense one stroke of material into a waste container.
Place the nozzle tip directly over the joint. Use full, smooth trigger pulls and let the material gravity-feed into the joint to avoid air bubbles. Overfill the joint slightly so the material is higher than the concrete surface.
Allow the material to cure for approximately 45 minutes (at 23°C). Once cured, use a sharp floor scraper to shave the excess material from the surface, leaving a perfectly flush and level joint.
Danger: This product is hazardous. Part A contains isocyanates, which are toxic and can cause serious health effects.
Wear protective gloves (nitrile or Viton recommended), safety glasses with side shields or chemical goggles, and full body protective clothing. In conditions of inadequate ventilation, or when spraying, use respiratory protection such as a full face respirator with supplied air or self-contained breathing apparatus. An eyewash unit and barrier cream should be available.
Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Local exhaust ventilation is required, especially during spraying or when mixing with other components, to prevent inhalation exposure to isocyanate vapours.
Store in original, tightly sealed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, locked up, and away from incompatible materials. Keep containers securely sealed to prevent contamination, especially with water. Dispose of contents and containers at an authorised hazardous waste collection point according to local regulations.
Correct surface preparation is critical for Ardex RA 54 performance, ensuring optimal adhesion and preventing product failure.
Surface prep: Substrate and environment must be completely dry before application. Freshly poured concrete requires a minimum 28-day cure. Existing concrete must be clean, dry, and free from contaminants like dust, dirt, grease, oil, or wax. Mechanically roughen smooth surfaces using a wire brush or sandpaper. For joints, cut along the crack with a saw or grinder, ensuring 90° edges. Blow out all dust and debris. Place a backer rod or kiln-dried sand to prevent bonding to the joint's bottom, which avoids bond failure during movement.
Primer: Not required for direct application to concrete. A premium primer is required if a topcoat is to be applied 24 hours after RA 54 application. Follow primer manufacturer instructions.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Colour | Grey |
| Viscosity Mixed | 500 centipoise |
| Gel Time (24°C) | 3 minutes |
| Cure Time (Trafficable 24°C) | 90 minutes |
| Tensile Strength | 8.3 MPa |
| Elongation | 82% |
| Bond Strength | 2.8 MPa |
| Shore A Hardness | 75 - 80 |
| Adhesion to Concrete | 1.9 MPa |
| VOC | 0 g/L |
| Shelf Life | 18 months if unopened |
| Application Temperature | -40°C to 50°C |
Here are some common examples on where Ardex RA 54 Joint Sealant used by our customers.
