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Ardex X 17: A Tiling Overview
Ardex X 17 is a high-performance, polymer-fortified tile adhesive engineered for tilers who demand reliability and ease of use. Specially formulated with mastic-type properties, it delivers exceptional non-slump performance, making it the ideal choice for fixing large format and heavy tiles on vertical surfaces without slipping. Its superior S1 flexibility accommodates minor substrate movement, providing a durable, crack-resistant bond on floors. With an extended 30-minute open time and 20-minute adjustment time, Ardex X 17 gives you the workability you need to achieve a perfect finish with all tile types, including fully vitrified porcelain, natural stone, and mosaics.
≥1.0 MPa
Tensile Adhesion Strength, Delivering a Powerful, Reliable Bond Under a Range of Demanding Site Conditions.
Core Features & Specifications
- Superior S1 Flexibility: Achieves S1 classification, allowing it to absorb minor substrate vibration and movement, crucial for preventing tile cracking.
- Non-Slump Performance: Holds large format and heavy tiles in place on walls, saving you time and ensuring perfect alignment without slippage.
- Extended Open Time: A 30-minute open time and 20-minute adjustment time provide greater flexibility for positioning and adjusting tiles.
- Versatile Use: Ideal for all tile types including fully vitrified, porcelain, mosaics, and most natural stones.
- High Bond Strength: Achieves a tensile adhesion strength of ≥1.0 MPa, conforming to the C2 classification of ISO 13007.
- Green Star Compliant: Meets the Green Building Council of Australia's requirements for low-VOC products.
The Ardex X 17 Advantage for Tilers
- Reliability: The certified S1 flexibility provides a durable, long-lasting bond that resists cracking from substrate movement, preventing costly and reputation-damaging callbacks.
- High Quality Performance: The non-slump formula lets you hang heavy wall tiles with absolute confidence. This means faster, more accurate installations and the ability to deliver a flawless finish on demanding feature walls.
- Innovation: Combines the workability and feel of a traditional mastic with the strength and flexibility of a modern polymer-fortified cement adhesive, giving you superior control and performance from a single bag.
Proactive Troubleshooting for Tilers
Scenario: Tiling directly onto a smooth, steel-trowel finished concrete slab.
Potential Outcome: The adhesive cannot achieve a proper mechanical key on the dense, non-porous surface laitance. This results in a weak bond and high risk of widespread delamination and complete tile failure.
Adheseal Best Practice: Never tile directly onto a smooth concrete surface. Always prepare the substrate by mechanical grinding to remove laitance and create a textured surface profile (CSP 2-3). This is a non-negotiable step to guarantee a permanent, reliable bond.
Applications in Practice: Tiler & Waterproofer Scenarios
For Tilers (On-Site Applicator): Installing 600x1200mm Porcelain on a Feature Wall
The Tiler's Challenge
Large format, heavy tiles are prone to slumping on vertical surfaces, making it extremely difficult to maintain tight, even grout lines and a flat, lippage-free finish. Time is lost constantly fighting gravity.
The Adheseal Solution
Ardex X 17's exceptional non-slump properties hold heavy tiles in place the moment they are set. This allows you to work efficiently and accurately, using the generous 30-minute open time to perfect placement without worrying about tiles sliding down the wall.
Best Practice Note
For maximum adhesion and to eliminate voids, always butter the back of large format tiles in addition to troweling the adhesive onto the wall. This ensures 100% coverage, a practice required by AS 3958 for a professional result.
For Waterproofers (System Specifier): Tiling over Ardex Liquid Membranes
The Waterproofer's Challenge
To ensure total wet area integrity, the tile adhesive must form a tenacious, permanent bond to the waterproofing membrane without compromising it. The entire system must be flexible and compatible.
The Adheseal Solution
Ardex X 17 is engineered for seamless compatibility with Ardex liquid applied undertile membranes. Its polymer fortification and S1 flexibility create a powerful, integrated system that moves as one, ensuring the waterproofing is not compromised and providing absolute confidence in the finished wet area.
Best Practice Note
Always ensure the Ardex waterproofing membrane is fully cured according to its datasheet before starting to tile. Never use Ardex X 17 for applications with continuous water immersion, such as swimming pools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'non-slump' actually mean for me on the job?
For a tiler, 'non-slump' means you can place a heavy or large format tile on a wall and it will stay exactly where you put it without sliding or sagging. This makes installations faster, more accurate, and less frustrating, especially when creating feature walls with tight grout joints.
What is an S1 flexibility classification and why is it important?
S1 is a formal classification under ISO 13007 that designates the adhesive as flexible. This is critical for preventing tile failure because it allows the adhesive to accommodate minor shrinkage, thermal changes, or movement in the substrate without cracking the tiles. It's a must-have for ensuring a durable, callback-free job.
How much time do I have to adjust tiles once they're on the wall?
Ardex X 17 has a 20-minute adjustment time at 23°C. This means after applying the tile to the wet adhesive bed, you have approximately 20 minutes to make minor adjustments to its position to ensure it's perfectly level and aligned.
Can I use Ardex X 17 to tile over existing tiles?
Yes, but only in internal dry areas. The existing tiles must be sound, stable, and thoroughly cleaned. Critically, you must mechanically roughen the surface to remove at least 80% of the glaze, then prime with Ardex Multiprime or Ardex P9 before applying the adhesive. This preparation is essential for a successful bond.
Applications & Benefits
| Application / Use Case | Key Benefit | Primary Trades |
|---|---|---|
| Wall Tiling with Large Format Tiles | Exceptional non-slump properties prevent heavy tiles from sliding. | Tilers |
| Floor Tiling (Res/Light Commercial) | S1 flexibility accommodates minor substrate movement and vibration. | Tilers |
| Tiling over Waterproofing Membranes | System compatibility ensures a secure, flexible bond to the membrane. | Tilers, Waterproofers |
| Fixing Porcelain, Mosaics & Stone | High bond strength and versatility for virtually all non-sensitive tile types. | Tilers |
Applying Ardex X 17: Protocols & Best Practices
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Substrate Preparation
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.
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Mixing
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.
Pot Life: The mixed adhesive is workable for approximately 3 hours at 23°C. Do not try to reconstitute by adding more water. -
Application & Fixing
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.
Pro Tip: Only spread as much adhesive as can be tiled within the 30-minute open time. For large or keyed-back tiles, butter the back of the tile to guarantee 100% coverage and a solid bed.
Limitations & Safety
Product Limitations
Not for use in continuous immersion applications like swimming pools or tanks. Use a dedicated Ardex system for these areas.
Not suitable for use directly over timber, particleboard, or substrates with excessive movement or deflection.
Not recommended for use with moisture-sensitive natural stones that can be prone to warping or discolouration.
Do not apply at temperatures below 10°C, as this will affect curing and bond development.
Safety & Handling Requirements
Personal Protective Equipment
Wear protective gloves, safety goggles, and full work clothing. A P2 or P3 dust mask is essential during mixing to avoid inhaling cement and silica dust.
Health Hazards
This product causes serious eye damage and skin irritation. May cause an allergic skin reaction. Contains crystalline silica, which may cause cancer and damage organs through prolonged or repeated inhalation.
Emergency First Aid
Eyes:
Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Immediately call a POISON CENTER or doctor.
Skin:
Wash with plenty of soap and water. If skin irritation or rash occurs, get medical advice.
Inhaled:
Remove person to fresh air. If exposed or concerned, get medical advice.
Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for full details before use.
Substrate Preparation & Adhesion Guide
Concrete & Cement Screeds
Surface Preparation
New concrete must cure for at least 4 weeks. Unbonded screeds must cure for 7 days. All surfaces must be clean, firm, and dry. Mechanically grind smooth, steel-trowelled concrete to remove laitance and create a key.
Primer Requirements
Primer recommended for porous substrates
For porous cement renders and screeds, prime the surface to prevent water loss from the adhesive, ensuring a stronger bond.
Ardex MultiprimeInternal Sheeting & Membranes
Surface Preparation
Fibre-cement sheet, plasterboard, and compressed fibre-cement sheet must be rigidly fixed as per manufacturer instructions. Ardex liquid waterproofing membranes must be fully cured and clean.
Primer Requirements
Primer required for fibre-cement
Priming is recommended for fibre-cement sheet. Priming is not required over fully cured Ardex undertile waterproofing membranes.
Ardex MultiprimeExisting Ceramic Tiles (Internal Dry)
Surface Preparation
Existing tiles must be firm, stable, and clean. The glazed surface must be mechanically ground to remove at least 80% of the glaze to create a sufficient mechanical key for the new adhesive to bond to.
Primer Requirements
Primer is Mandatory
After grinding and cleaning the existing tiles, a primer must be applied to ensure a reliable chemical bond for the new tile installation.
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