When large format tiles refuse to stay put, or when you need to cover significant areas without constant adhesive remixing, ARDEX X 68 steps in. This is the white, polymer-fortified adhesive built for extended working time and non-slump performance, ensuring your porcelain, ceramic, or natural stone tiles hold fast, even in demanding wet areas like swimming pools. It means less time fighting gravity, more time getting the layout right, and a reliable, durable finish on walls and floors, indoors or out.
ARDEX X 68 is a superior white polymer-fortified, cement-based adhesive formulated to tackle the challenges of modern tiling. Its ultralight weight eases transport and handling, while the sand-free formula ensures a smooth mix and spread. This adhesive delivers critical non-slump performance for large format wall tiles and an extended open time for complex layouts or high-volume jobs, making it ideal for internal and external residential or commercial projects, including immersed applications like swimming pools.
ARDEX X 68 is designed for efficient application. It mixes easily with water to a creamy, lump-free consistency, with a generous 90-minute pot life, allowing for continuous work. The 30-minute open time and 20-minute adjustment window are critical for precise placement, especially with rectified or large format tiles where alignment is paramount. For improved performance and resilience in swimming pools, it can be mixed with ARDEX E90 in a 2 litres E90 to 4 litres cool clean water ratio. Ensure tools are cleaned with water immediately after use to prevent hardened adhesive buildup. Grouting can typically commence after 24 hours, depending on site conditions and tile density.
ARDEX X 68 integrates seamlessly into comprehensive tiling systems. On porous substrates, especially fibre-cement sheets, concrete, or screeds, priming with Ardex Multiprime improves bond adhesion and controls substrate absorption. When tiling over ARDEX liquid-applied undertile waterproofing membranes, this adhesive is designed for optimal compatibility, completing a robust wet-area system. For movement joints, it is critical to use an approved sealant, not grout, to comply with Australian Standard AS 3958 and accommodate structural movement.
ARDEX X 68 is engineered for extended open time, non-slump performance, and an ultralight, high-coverage formulation, making it ideal for large format tiles and high-volume jobs where precision and ease of application are key. In contrast, ARDEX X 17 is a standard, general-purpose cement-based adhesive suitable for basic internal and external wall and floor tiling with ceramic and porcelain tiles. ARDEX X 18 elevates performance with increased flexibility and enhanced water resistance, suited for more demanding conditions or larger format tiling where greater movement accommodation is needed, but without the ultralight properties or extended coverage of X 68. Choose X 68 when the combination of lightweight handling, expansive coverage, non-slump characteristics, and a longer working window outweighs the need for basic all-rounder performance (X 17) or enhanced flexibility without the ultralight benefits (X 18).
Yes, ARDEX X68 is suitable for swimming pools and handles large format tiles up to 400mm with back-buttering. For enhanced performance in swimming pools, mix with ARDEX E90 at a ratio of 2 litres E90 to 4 litres of cool clean water.
Yes, ARDEX X68 meets the Green Building Council of Australia Green Star requirements for Ceramic Tile Adhesives. It features low VOC content, supporting environmentally sustainable construction.
ARDEX X68 offers an open time of 30 minutes and an adjustment time of 20 minutes at 23°C and 50% relative humidity. This allows for flexible tile placement and minor corrections.
No, ARDEX X68 is not for direct use over timber floors subject to shrinkage and movement. It is suitable for CTU (Ceramic Tile Underlay) over particleboard and plywood timber floors, provided the CTU is installed according to manufacturer instructions and AS 3958.
| Application | Key benefit | Primary trades |
|---|---|---|
| Fixing fully vitrified and porcelain tiles | High bond strength and flexibility (C2 TE S1 classification) ensures durable adhesion for low-porosity tiles in demanding conditions. | Tilers, Builders |
| Internal and external wall and floor tiling | Withstands varied environmental stresses, from residential interiors to exposed outdoor areas, due to superior adhesion after water immersion, heat, and freeze-thaw cycles (≥ 1.0 MPa). | Tilers, Landscapers |
| Tiling in swimming pools and wet areas | Maintains integrity under continuous water immersion (≥ 1.0 MPa) and offers enhanced performance when mixed with ARDEX E90, reducing the risk of failure in critical moisture zones. | Waterproofers, Tilers |
| Installing large format tiles | Non-slump properties and extended open time (30 minutes) prevent tile movement and allow for precise placement and adjustment, improving final alignment and reducing rework. | Tilers |
| Projects requiring Green Star compliance | Low VOC content meets Green Building Council of Australia Green Star requirements, enabling specification on environmentally certified builds. | Architects, Specifiers, Builders |
| High-volume tiling jobs | Ultralight, sand-free formulation eases transport, mixing, and spreading, reducing installer fatigue and improving productivity on site. | Tilers, Labourers |
Add the 11kg bag of Ardex X 68 powder to 5.5 litres of clean water in a bucket. Mix with a paddle mixer for at least 2 minutes to a lump-free, creamy consistency. Let it stand for 3 minutes, then re-mix for another 2 minutes.
Apply the mixed adhesive to the prepared substrate using a notched trowel. Select a trowel size appropriate for the tile size and substrate, as per AS 3958. Only spread enough adhesive that can be tiled within the 30-minute open time.
In addition to trowelling the substrate, you must also 'back-butter' the tile by applying a thin, flat coat of adhesive to the back to ensure full bed contact and eliminate voids.
Press tiles firmly into the wet adhesive bed with a sliding motion, perpendicular to the notches. Check coverage periodically by lifting a tile. Remove any excess adhesive from joints and tile faces before it sets. Grouting can begin after 24 hours.
Danger: This product causes skin irritation and serious eye damage. It may cause an allergic skin reaction, respiratory irritation, and is suspected of causing genetic defects. Prolonged or repeated exposure may cause damage to organs.
Wear protective gloves (e.g., neoprene, nitrile), protective clothing (overalls, PVC apron), chemical goggles, and face protection. A P2 particulate filter respirator is required if dust becomes airborne.
Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Prevent dust concentration in confined spaces.
Store locked up in original, securely sealed containers in a cool, dry area, protected from environmental extremes. Keep away from incompatible materials. Dispose of contents and container to an authorised hazardous waste collection point in accordance with local regulations.
Correct surface preparation ensures optimal adhesion and long-term tile integrity, preventing premature failure.
Surface prep: Allow at least 4 weeks to cure. Remove surface laitance, sealers, curing compounds, and contaminants. Mechanically roughen steel trowel finished concrete and concrete greater than 35 MPa to provide a mechanical key. Ensure surface is true and level.
Primer: Optional. Prime porous substrates with ARDEX Multiprime.
Surface prep: Boards must be firmly and rigidly fixed to manufacturer’s specifications to support the tile bed.
Primer: Optional. ARDEX Multiprime is recommended for fibre-cement sheet. Not usually necessary for plasterboard unless jointing compound is used.
Surface prep: Follow sheet manufacturer’s recommendations and Australian Standard AS 3958 for both internal and external applications.
Primer: Optional. Prime porous substrates with ARDEX Multiprime.
Surface prep: Tiles must be sound, clean, firm, and stable. Mechanically roughen the surface, ensuring at least 80% of the glaze is removed. Clean off contamination and dust. Tiling over existing tiles is not recommended in immersed applications.
Primer: Optional. Use ARDEX P9 Priming system as per recommendations if not mechanically roughening.
Surface prep: CTU must be a minimum of 6mm, specifically for tiling, and fixed as per manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure the timber floor system complies with AS 1684 for joist deflection.
Primer: Optional. Prime porous substrates with ARDEX Multiprime.
Surface prep: Membranes must be applied according to instructions and thoroughly dry prior to tiling.
Primer: Not required. Membranes are typically bondable surfaces.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Colour | WHITE |
| Mixing Ratio | 5.5 litres water per 11kg powder |
| Mixing Ratio with E90 | 2 litres E90 & 4 litres cool clean water |
| Coverage Walls | 10.5m² per 11kg bag (using 6mm notched trowel) |
| Coverage Floors | 7m² per 11kg bag (using 10mm notched trowel) |
| Open Time | 30 mins |
| Adjustment Time | 20 mins |
| Grouting Time | 24 hours |
| Pot Life | 90 mins |
| 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 |
| Tensile Adhesion Strength (Extended Open Time) | ≥ 1.0 MPa |
| Classification (ISO 13007) | C2 TE S1 |
Here are some common examples on where Ardex X 68 Tile Adhesive used by our customers.
