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When fixing large format tiles to internal or external walls and floors, you need an adhesive that delivers flexibility and holds its shape without fail. This product is formulated to relieve the common site challenges of tile sag and tight working times, ensuring large, heavy tiles stay precisely where they are laid, with ample time for adjustment.
ARDEX X17 White is a C2 TE S1 classified, polymer-fortified cementitious adhesive engineered for superior performance in residential and light commercial tiling. It provides the crucial combination of high bond strength, flexibility, and non-slump characteristics. This formulation makes it ideal for securing large format and heavy tiles, including fully vitrified and porcelain, across various internal and external wall and floor substrates where movement accommodation and precise placement are critical.
Its C2 TE S1 classification confirms its high performance: C2 signifies strong adhesion exceeding 1 MPa under varied conditions, TE indicates excellent non-slip properties and extended open time, and S1 denotes superior flexibility. This S1 rating means it can handle substrate movement, reducing the risk of tile cracking and delamination, particularly with today’s larger tile formats. An extended open time of 30 minutes provides a generous window for accurate tile placement and adjustment, a critical factor when working with complex patterns or large, heavy units. The non-slump characteristic ensures large format tiles on vertical surfaces remain in position without slippage, preventing lippage and rework.
Mixing is straightforward: add ARDEX X17 White powder to clean water, then mix thoroughly with a paddle and drill. A 20kg bag typically requires 6 to 6.5 litres of water. The resulting creamy mortar has a pot life of approximately 3 hours, offering sufficient time for larger jobs. Its 30-minute open time and 20-minute adjustment time are valuable on site, allowing precise positioning of tiles without rushing. Always ensure full coverage on the tile back, especially for ribbed or keyed profiles, to prevent voids. Clean all tools with water immediately after use, before the adhesive sets.
This adhesive forms a critical layer in a high-performance tiling system. It is commonly applied after appropriate substrate preparation and priming, often over Ardex Multiprime on porous surfaces, or after mechanical preparation and priming with ARDEX P9 for existing tiles. In wet areas, it bonds securely over ARDEX liquid applied undertile waterproofing membranes. Once the tile bed has sufficiently hardened, typically after 24 hours, the joints are then grouted using an appropriate ARDEX grout, completing the system.
While the ARDEX range offers several high-performance flexible adhesives, ARDEX X17 White is specifically formulated to provide C2 TE S1 flexible performance with non-slump characteristics and an extended open time for internal and external residential and light commercial wall and floor tiling. Unlike other adhesives in the ARDEX X-series that may be engineered for continuous immersion applications, X17 focuses on delivering this particular balance of workability and flexibility. This makes it the targeted choice for general large format and heavy tile installations where these attributes are paramount, but continuous water immersion is not a factor. When your job demands superior flexibility and ease of working in standard residential or light commercial settings, ARDEX X17 White is the right fit.
Yes, ARDEX X 17 White is specifically formulated as a non-slump adhesive. This property makes it suitable for securely fixing large format and heavy tiles on both walls and floors without tile movement during installation.
The S1 classification signifies superior flexibility, achieving tensile adhesion strengths of ≥1.0 MPa across varied conditions including dry, water immersion, heat, and freeze/thaw. This level of flexibility helps prevent tile cracking and delamination by accommodating minor substrate movement common in residential and light commercial settings, both internal and external.
No, ARDEX X 17 White is not recommended for continuous immersion applications such as swimming pools or tanks. These demanding environments require alternative ARDEX systems specifically designed for constant water exposure to ensure long-term performance and prevent failure.
No, ARDEX X 17 White should not be used directly over timber or other substrates prone to significant shrinkage and movement. For such applications, ARDEX offers other systems designed to manage these dynamic substrate conditions effectively.
| Application | Key benefit | Primary trades |
|---|---|---|
| Fixing large format and heavy tiles | Non-slump properties prevent tile drop or slippage on walls and floors, ensuring a secure, level installation. | Tilers, Builders |
| Internal and external residential tiling | C2 TE S1 classification confirms high bond strength and flexibility, durable for both interior and exterior conditions. | Tilers, Renovators |
| Tiling over ARDEX liquid applied waterproofing membranes | Ensures compatibility and a strong bond within a certified system, reducing system failure risk. | Waterproofers, Tilers |
| Tiling over existing ceramic tiles (internal dry areas) | Provides reliable adhesion to prepared existing glazed surfaces, avoiding costly and time-consuming tile removal. | Renovators, Tilers |
| Installing fully vitrified, porcelain, ceramic, and mosaics | Formulated for excellent adhesion to a wide range of dense and non-porous tile types, preventing delamination. | Tilers |
| Green Building Council of Australia Green Star projects | Meets specific Green Star requirements for ceramic tile adhesives, supporting project certification. | Builders, Specifiers |
Ensure the substrate is clean, dry, and structurally sound. Mechanically prepare any dense, non-porous surfaces like sealed concrete. Prime porous substrates such as fibre-cement sheet with Ardex Multiprime as required.
Add a 20kg bag of Ardex X 17 powder to approximately 6-6.5 litres of clean water. Mix thoroughly with a paddle mixer for at least 2 minutes to a lump-free, creamy consistency. Let the mix stand for 5 minutes, then give it a final 2-minute mix.
Apply the adhesive to the substrate with the appropriate notched trowel for the tile size. Press tiles firmly into the wet mortar and slide them at a right angle to the trowel lines to ensure full coverage. Check for voids periodically by lifting a tile.
Danger: This product causes skin irritation, may cause an allergic skin reaction, and causes serious eye damage. It may cause respiratory irritation, is suspected of causing genetic defects, and may cause cancer. Causes damage to organs through prolonged or repeated exposure.
Wear protective gloves, protective clothing, safety glasses with side shields or chemical goggles, and face protection. When dust is generated, use a half-face filter-type respirator with a P3 particulate filter.
Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area to minimise dust and fume inhalation. Ensure good local exhaust ventilation in enclosed spaces.
Store locked up in original containers, securely sealed, in a cool, dry area protected from environmental extremes and incompatible materials. Keep away from foodstuff containers. Dispose of contents and container to an authorised hazardous or special waste collection point, in accordance with local regulations.
Correct substrate preparation is critical for the long-term performance of tile installations and to prevent premature failures.
Surface prep: Allow concrete to cure for a minimum of 4 weeks. Remove all surface laitance, sealers, curing compounds, and other barrier materials. Mechanically roughen steel trowel finished concrete to achieve a CSP 2-3 profile for a strong mechanical key. Ensure the surface is true, level, and pitched correctly for drainage.
Primer: Not required if the concrete is clean, porous, and properly prepared. If conditions are questionable, consider priming with a suitable ARDEX primer.
Surface prep: Ensure existing tiles are sound, firm, and stable. Mechanically roughen the glazed surface, removing at least 80% of the glaze. Clean thoroughly to remove all contamination and dust before tiling.
Primer: Required. Prime with ARDEX Multiprime or ARDEX P9 to enhance adhesion and consolidate the surface.
Surface prep: Boards must be fixed firmly and rigidly according to manufacturer specifications to support the tile bed. Ensure surfaces are dry and clean.
Primer: Optional. Priming is recommended for fibre-cement sheets. For plasterboard, priming is generally not necessary unless jointing compound has been used.
Surface prep: Sheets must be installed strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and confirmed suitable for the intended application.
Primer: Recommended. Consult sheet manufacturer's recommendations for specific priming requirements.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Colour | White |
| Mixing Ratio | 1 vol water: 3 vol powder |
| Water Required (per 20kg) | 6 - 6.5 litres |
| Open Time | 30 minutes |
| Adjustment Time | 20 minutes |
| Grouting Time | 24 hours |
| Pot Life | 3 hours |
| Sagging | None |
| Underfloor Heating Suitability | Yes |
| Tensile Adhesion Strength (28 Days Dry) | ≥1.0 MPa |
| Tensile Adhesion Strength (Water Immersion) | ≥1.0 MPa |
| Tensile Adhesion Strength (Heat) | ≥1.0 MPa |
| Tensile Adhesion Strength (Freeze Thaw) | ≥1.0 MPa |
| Classification | C2 TE S1 (ISO 13007) |
| Packaging | 20kg polylined paper sacks |
Here are some common examples on where Ardex X 17 Tile Adhesive used by our customers.
