Redispersible polymer powders (RDP) and modern thin-layer processes play an important role in the modification of tile adhesives with a number of advantages, including:
Effects and advantages of redispersible polymer powders (RDP):
1.Enhanced bond strength:
RDP can significantly improve the adhesion performance in tile adhesives. On the one hand, the latex film forms a flexible connection between the mortar and the tile, and on the other hand, it increases the air content in the freshly mixed mortar and affects the formation and wettability of the surface. During the setting process, shrinkage behavior and the hydration process of the cement are also affected, all of which are affected by RDP and have an effect on the bond strength. For example, in practical application, the bond between the tile and the base surface can be made more firm, and it is not easy to have problems such as hollowing and falling off.
2.Improve flexibility:
It can reduce the elastic modulus of the mortar, improve the deformation ability, and reduce the cracking phenomenon. The traditional cement mortar is brittle, and after adding RDP, it can give the mortar better flexibility, better adapt to the deformation and temperature change of the base layer, etc., and avoid cracks due to stress concentration, especially for some base layers or environments that are prone to deformation, this flexibility is very important. For example, in different parts of the building, such as walls, floors, etc., due to changes in temperature and humidity or slight deformation of the base structure, the RDP modified tile adhesive can maintain a good bonding effect.
3.Improved workability:
The “lubrication effect” of RDP particles gives the mortar mixture good fluidity for better workability, and its air entrainment effect makes the mortar compressible, making it easier to trowel. According to the different types of RDP, the modified mortar with better plasticity or more viscosity can be obtained, which is convenient for the construction personnel to carry out operations such as painting and paving, and improve the construction efficiency and quality. For example, in the construction of large-area ceramic tile paving, good construction performance can make the construction process smoother and reduce the difficulty and time of construction.
4.Improved durability:
The tensile strength of the polymer film is much higher than that of plain mortar, so the tensile strength (cohesive strength) of the mortar can be increased by adding RDP, which in turn improves the durability of the tile adhesive. At the same time, RDP also has certain water and chemical resistance, which can enhance the stability and service life of tile adhesives under various environmental conditions. For example, in humid and watery environments, such as bathrooms, kitchens and other areas, the use of RDP-modified tile adhesives can better ensure the long-term bonding effect of tiles.
5.Water retention:
Cellulose ether and RDP can keep water inside the mortar. Some of this moisture will be lost due to drying and will leave the capillaries, and the remaining part will be consumed by the hydration of the cement, resulting in gel pores, and the number of gel pores reflects the degree of hydration. The addition of RDP helps to retain moisture in the mortar, providing the necessary conditions for the hydration reaction of the cement, ensuring that the tile adhesive can be fully cured and hardened to achieve the expected performance indicators. In actual construction, even in a dry environment or when water evaporates quickly during construction, RDP can ensure the normal curing and bonding effect of ceramic tile adhesive.
The role and advantages of modern thin-layer technology：
1.Material saving:
The thickness of the binder layer in the thin layer process is usually around 2 – 4 mm, which greatly reduces the amount of material used compared to the traditional thick layer mortar method (the thickness is generally 15 – 20 mm). For example, for the same area of ceramic tiles, the thin layer process requires significantly less tile adhesive, reducing material costs.
2.High construction efficiency:
Using modern thin layer technology, the tile adhesive can be applied to a large area of the surface to be tiled with a serrated trowel, and then the tile is pressed into the mortar layer by slight rotation, making the construction process easier and faster. And because the thin layer mortar has a good water retention capacity (the effect of cellulose ether), the tile and the substrate do not need to be pre-soaked or pre-wetted, simplifying the construction process, and the efficiency can be increased by more than 4 times compared with traditional construction methods. In large-scale construction, the construction period can be significantly shortened and the project progress can be accelerated.
3.Good bonding effect:
The thin layer process can provide a more uniform bonding layer, so that the contact between the tile and the adhesive is tighter, and the adhesion force is more evenly distributed, thus improving the overall bonding effect. And in the construction process, there is no need to insert a locator between the tiles, and the tiling can be carried out from the top to the bottom, which facilitates the construction operation, and also ensures the flatness and verticality of the tile paving, so that the tile wall or the ground is more beautiful and firm.
4.Wide range of applications:
Suitable for all kinds of substrates and coating materials, including concrete surfaces, brick structures, lime-cement plasters and undercoats, gypsum, wood, old tile surfaces, gypsum wall panels, aerated lightweight concrete, particle board and other foundations, as well as in a variety of extreme climatic conditions in the modern construction industry. Whether it’s a new building or a renovation of an old building, you can find the right tile adhesive and thin layer application method to meet the needs of different projects.
5.Environmental protection and energy saving:
On the one hand, it reduces the amount of materials used and reduces the consumption of resources; On the other hand, due to the reduction of on-site mixing of cement and other materials during the construction process, dust and noise pollution are reduced, which is more environmentally friendly. At the same time, the thin-layer process reduces the amount of tile adhesive and reduces energy consumption to a certain extent, which meets the requirements of the modern construction industry for environmental protection and energy saving.
In summary, redispersible polymer powder (RDP) and modern thin-layer processes play an indispensable role in the modification of tile adhesives, and have different roles and advantages in the performance and application of tile adhesives, as well as the actual laying of ceramic tiles.
With over 20 years of industry experience, Celotech can continuously accumulate professional knowledge and innovate and improve in technology, products, or services.
In the field of redispersible polymer powder products, our brand Vinabond ® redispersible polymer powder is a copolymer powder of vinyl acetate and ethylene and is dispersible in water.
Dry-mix mortar modified with Vinabond® exhibits improved adhesion, flexural strength in bending, deformability, and abrasion resistance and are easier to process. Leveling, thixotropy, and water retention are essentially unaffected.
Besides, we will actively participate in exhibitions related to the construction (wall putty, dry-mixed mortar, tile adhesives, etc.) and coatings (paint and coating additives, etc.) industries, and integrate the exports of Celopro® HPMC/MHEC/HEC/CMC produced and operated by our company, together with products including RDP, starch ether, etc.; relying on Celotech’s 20 years of professional cellulose ether research and development and sales background, our company will go all out to strive to expand the market sales share of Celopro® products in Central Asia, South America and other countries.
ABOUT CELOTECH
→Celotech Chemical is a high-tech enterprise specializing in construction additives.
→ Founded in 2005, then gradually established branch company and R&D centers, etc. Celotech set up the production site in Shandong, China and is headquartered in Suzhou of Jiangsu province, a city very near Shanghai.
→ Our production annual capacity is 40,000 tons of CELOPRO® HPMC, 5,000 tons of Polycarboxylate Superplasticizer, 3,000 tons of Gypstar® Gypsum Retarder, 15,000 tons of Prestar®Pregelatinized Starch, etc. Celotech is supplying many customers in the construction industry all over the world.