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Kerapoxy Adhesive: A Technical Overview
Kerapoxy Adhesive is a two-component, high-strength epoxy resin-based mortar, meticulously formulated with silica sand and specialised admixtures in MAPEI's research laboratories. When Part A and B are combined, the result is a thixotropic, easy-to-apply paste that excels in demanding situations. Engineered for zero vertical slip, it can be applied to walls at a thickness of up to 1 cm in a single coat, providing ultimate control and precision. The system hardens through a pure chemical reaction without any shrinkage, forming a bond of extreme strength and durability that is resistant to ageing and environmental factors. This process ensures that once cured, the bond is rigid, permanent, and perfectly integrated with all common building industry substrates.
+100°C
Maximum in-service temperature, delivering unwavering performance in the most demanding environments like commercial kitchens, steam rooms, and industrial facilities.
Core Features & Specifications
- EN 12004 R2T Certified Performance: Fully compliant as a Reactive (R), improved (2), no-slip (T) adhesive, guaranteeing elite performance and absolute control with heavy or large format tiles on vertical surfaces.
- High-Strength Thixotropic Mix: The easily workable paste can be applied up to 1cm thick on vertical surfaces without slump or sag, simplifying installation and ensuring full coverage.
- Zero Shrinkage Hardening: Cures via chemical reaction to form an incredibly strong, rigid bond that will not shrink or introduce stress to the tile or substrate, preventing future failures.
- Extended Working Times: A generous 45-minute pot life and 130-minute adjustment time at +23°C provide trade professionals with ample opportunity for perfect placement and alignment.
- Broad Service Temperature Range: Performs reliably in environments from -20°C to +100°C, making it the certain choice for a vast range of interior, exterior, and industrial applications.
The Kerapoxy Adhesive Advantage
- Eliminate Call-Backs: Deliver a permanent, high-strength bond with excellent resistance to ageing and humidity, ensuring total client satisfaction and protecting your professional reputation.
- Install With Absolute Confidence: The non-slip R2T formula gives you complete control when setting large format or heavy tiles on walls, saving valuable time and physical effort on site.
- Specify for Demanding Environments: With excellent resistance to water and good resistance to chemicals and solvents, it is the definitive solution for swimming pools, commercial kitchens, and industrial facilities.
- Achieve Ultimate Substrate Versatility: Engineered to form a perfect, tenacious bond to a wide range of common building substrates, including concrete, cementitious screeds, and even fibreglass.
Proactive Troubleshooting
Scenario: Incorrect Mix Ratio
Potential Outcome: The chemical hardening process will be compromised, leading to a soft cure, weak bond, or complete adhesion failure.
Adheseal Best Practice: Kerapoxy Adhesive is supplied in pre-dosed kits. You must mix the entire contents of Part B with the entire contents of Part A. Never estimate quantities or attempt to mix partial kits.
Scenario: Application to a Damp or Uncured Substrate
Potential Outcome: Trapped moisture or substrate shrinkage can severely compromise bond strength, leading to blistering or delamination over time.
Adheseal Best Practice: Ensure cementitious substrates are fully cured (minimum 1 week per cm of thickness) and completely dry before application. Always verify the substrate is free of moisture to guarantee a permanent bond.
Applications in Practice: Trade Scenarios
For Tilers: Commercial Kitchen Wall Tiling
The Professional's Challenge
Ensuring heavy ceramic tiles on a commercial kitchen splashback won't slip during installation and will withstand high heat, constant steam, and frequent chemical cleaning once in service.
The Adheseal Solution: Engineered Certainty in Practice
Use a notched trowel to apply Kerapoxy Adhesive up to 1cm thick. The certified R2T non-slip rating holds tiles in place instantly. The cured epoxy bond is unaffected by the high +100°C service temperature and provides a durable, easy-to-clean surface.
Best Practice Note
The workable pot life is 45 minutes at +23°C. In warmer kitchen environments, this time will be reduced. Plan your work in manageable sections, always ensuring you mix the full A+B components for each batch.
For Remedial Specialists: Retiling a Fibreglass Swimming Pool
The Professional's Challenge
Achieving a tenacious, waterproof bond for new mosaic tiles onto a fibreglass pool shell—a notoriously difficult substrate—that will withstand constant immersion, temperature fluctuations, and pool chemicals.
The Adheseal Solution: Engineered Certainty in Practice
Kerapoxy Adhesive is explicitly recommended for bonding tiles in fibreglass swimming pools. It forms a perfect, permanent bond to the prepared fibreglass substrate. Its excellent resistance to water immersion and ageing ensures a durable, long-lasting finish that won't fail.
Best Practice Note
The substrate must be completely dry, clean, and free of any oils or waxes. Lightly abrading the fibreglass surface to a dull finish is highly recommended to enhance the mechanical key and ensure maximum adhesion.
For Builders & Specifiers: Installing Stone Windowsills
The Professional's Challenge
Specifying and installing heavy marble or reconstituted stone sills that require a completely rigid, high-strength bond with zero shrinkage to prevent stress cracking or future movement.
The Adheseal Solution: Engineered Certainty in Practice
Kerapoxy Adhesive's high initial shear strength of 7 N/mm² and zero-shrinkage cure create an incredibly strong and stable monolithic bond, ideal for heavy stone elements. It hardens without creating internal stresses, protecting the integrity of expensive materials.
Best Practice Note
To guarantee a void-free installation, butter the back of the stone sill with Kerapoxy Adhesive in addition to applying it to the substrate. This ensures 100% coverage and a solid, permanent fix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Kerapoxy Adhesive for vertical wall tiling with heavy tiles?
Absolutely. Kerapoxy Adhesive is rated R2T under EN 12004, which means it is certified for improved performance with zero vertical slip. This makes it the ideal choice for confidently installing heavy porcelain or stone tiles on walls without sagging or movement.
What is the pot life once the two components are mixed?
At a standard temperature of +23°C, the mixed product provides a workable pot life of 45 minutes. Be aware that higher ambient temperatures on site will reduce this working time, so you should plan your application sections accordingly to avoid wastage.
Is Kerapoxy Adhesive suitable for tiling a swimming pool?
Yes, it is an excellent choice for this application. It is specifically recommended for bonding tiles in fibreglass swimming pools. Its final cured state exhibits excellent resistance to water immersion and ageing, ensuring a durable, long-lasting bond that withstands constant exposure.
Does this adhesive shrink as it cures?
No. Kerapoxy Adhesive hardens by a pure chemical reaction with zero shrinkage. This is a critical advantage as it creates an extremely strong, stable bond that doesn't put stress on the tile or substrate, preventing stress fractures and bond failure over time.
Can I use this product on a freshly laid concrete screed?
No. All cementitious substrates must be fully cured, mechanically strong, and dry before application. As a professional standard, allow at least one week of curing time per centimetre of screed thickness in good weather to prevent bond failure due to substrate shrinkage.
How do I clean up tools and spills after using Kerapoxy Adhesive?
While the product is still fresh, tools, containers and any residue can be cleaned using plenty of water. Once Kerapoxy Adhesive has hardened, it is extremely resilient and can only be cleaned mechanically or with Pulicol 2000.
Applications & Benefits
| Application / Use Case | Key Benefit | Primary Trades |
|---|---|---|
| Bonding heavy or large format wall tiles | Zero vertical slip (R2T classification) for instant grab and no sagging. | Tilers, Builders |
| Tiling swimming pools (fibreglass or concrete) | Excellent resistance to water immersion and ageing for long-term durability. | Waterproofers, Tilers, Pool Builders |
| Commercial kitchen & industrial facility floors/walls | High service temperature (+100°C) and good resistance to chemicals & solvents. | Specifiers, Commercial Builders, Flooring Contractors |
| Rigid bonding of marble or stone sills & steps | Zero shrinkage cure prevents internal stress, movement, and cracking of stone. | Stonemasons, Builders, Remedial Specialists |
| Exterior tiling applications subject to thermal shock | High bond strength after thermal shock cycles (4 N/mm²). | Landscapers, Tilers, Builders |
Applying Kerapoxy Adhesive: Enhanced Protocols & Best Practices
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Preparation & Mixing
Correct preparation is critical for achieving the specified performance. This phase ensures both the substrate and the product are ready for a flawless application.
Substrate Verification
Confirm the substrate is cured, strong, completely dry, and free of all contaminants like dust, oil, or grease. Apply primer where required (e.g., Primer EP on gypsum).
Component Mixing
Pour the entire contents of the 2 kg Part B catalyst into the 8 kg Part A drum. Using a low-speed electric mixer, blend thoroughly until a smooth, homogenous, lump-free paste is obtained.
Pro Tip: Never estimate quantities or mix partial kits. The 80:20 weight ratio is compulsory for correct hardening. High-speed mixing can overheat the product and significantly reduce its pot life. -
Adhesive Application
Apply the mixed adhesive with the correct technique to ensure full coverage and optimal bond strength.
Spreading the Adhesive
Using a suitable notched trowel, spread the adhesive onto the substrate to achieve a uniform thickness.
Vertical & Special Shapes
For vertical surfaces, the thixotropic mix can be applied up to 1cm thick without sag. For special shapes or doorsteps, also butter the back of the piece with adhesive before laying to ensure a void-free bond.
Timing: At +23°C, you have a 45-minute pot life and a 60-minute open time on the substrate. Plan your work in manageable sections that can be tiled within this window. -
Installation & Cleanup
Finalise the installation with precise placement and proactive cleaning for a professional finish.
Setting Tiles
Press tiles into the adhesive bed with firm pressure to ensure good contact and full buttering. Make any final adjustments within the 130-minute adjustment time.
Cleaning
While the adhesive is still wet, immediately clean any residue from the tile face, tools, and containers using plenty of water.
Pro Tip: Once cured, Kerapoxy Adhesive is extremely tough. Hardened residue requires aggressive mechanical removal or the use of a specialised solvent cleaner like Pulicol 2000. Clean as you go to save significant time and effort.
Limitations & Safety
Product Limitations
Do not apply to wet, damp, or dirty surfaces. The substrate must be completely dry for a successful bond.
Not designed for sealing flexible or dynamic movement joints. For these applications, use a suitable flexible sealant.
Use Mapesil AC or Mapeflex PU21
Never add water or solvents to the mix to try and increase workability; this will compromise the chemical reaction and final strength.
Only apply in ambient temperatures between +10°C and +30°C.
This product is for professional use only and requires adherence to technical and safety protocols. Not suitable for DIY/home handyman use.
Safety & Handling Requirements
Personal Protective Equipment
Always wear protective gloves (e.g., Nitrile rubber, >=0.35mm thickness), close-fitting safety goggles, and full-coverage protective clothing. Do not wear contact lenses.
Ventilation & Handling
Ensure adequate ventilation. Avoid breathing mist, vapours, or spray. Avoid all contact with skin and eyes. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Emergency First Aid
Eyes:
Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes. Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do. Continue rinsing. Seek immediate medical attention.
Skin:
Take off all contaminated clothing immediately. Wash affected area with plenty of soap and water. If skin irritation, rash, or burns occur, seek immediate medical attention.
Inhaled:
Remove person to fresh air and keep comfortable for breathing.
Swallowed:
Rinse mouth. Do NOT induce vomiting. Immediately call a Poison Centre (13 11 26) or doctor.
Component B is corrosive and can cause severe burns. Seek immediate medical attention in all cases of serious exposure.
Substrate Adhesion & Preparation Guide
Cementitious Screeds & Concrete
Surface Preparation
Substrate must be fully cured (min. 1 week per cm thickness), mechanically strong, dry, and free from laitance, dust, grease, and oil.
Primer Requirements
No primer typically required
Ensure surface is sound and clean before direct application.
Gypsum & Plasterboard
Surface Preparation
Surface must be firm, completely dry, and free from dust. The surface integrity is critical for a successful bond.
Primer Requirements
Primer Required
The porous and friable nature of gypsum-based surfaces must be addressed before applying an epoxy adhesive.
Apply a coat of Primer EP or Eco Prim T to consolidate the surface and ensure a stable, reliable base for adhesion.Fibreglass
Surface Preparation
Surface must be completely clean, dry, and free from any oils, waxes, or mould-release agents.
Primer Requirements
Primer not required, but preparation is key
For maximum bond strength, it is highly recommended to lightly abrade the entire surface to a dull finish to improve the mechanical key.
Existing Ceramic Tiles or Stone
Surface Preparation
Existing tiles must be sound, well-bonded, and thoroughly cleaned to remove soap scum, oils, and grease. Mechanically abrade the glazed surface to remove the sheen and create a key for the new adhesive.
Primer Requirements
No primer required if properly prepared
A thorough mechanical abrasion is sufficient to ensure a strong bond.
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