Product Data Sheet
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Davco® 168

Ceramic tile / stone adhesive - floor and wall thin set mortar

Davco® 168 is a cement-based, thin or medium bed adhesive, suitable for fixing ceramic tiles onto walls and floors, dry or wet interior or exterior areas.

  • Impact resistance
  • Easy installation, user friendly
  • Non-flammable
  • Non-toxic
Product Data Sheet
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Usage

Davco® 168 is designed for installation of dimensional stone and ceramic tiles over a wide variety of substrates.  

Advantages

  • Impact resistance
  • Easy installation, user friendly
  • Non-flammable
  • Non-toxic

Packaging

  • 20 kg bag
  • 25 kg bag

Colour

Grey powder

Product Details

Product Information

Shelf life

6 months from date of production

Storage conditions

Store properly in dry conditions, in undamaged and unopened, original sealed packaging. Keep away from direct sunlight, rain, water and moisture.
Technical Information

Tensile adhesion strength

Standard condition

≥ 0.5 N/mm²

Heat ageing

≥ 0.5 N/mm²

Water immersion

≥ 0.5 N/mm²

Application

Application Information

Mixing ratio

  • 4.4–4.8 L of water or Davco Admix 168 per 20 kg bag
  • 5.5–6.0 L of water or Davco Admix 168 per 25 kg bag

Open Time

~15 minutes
Consumption

Consumption

This depends on the level, profile and surface roughness of the substrate, the size of the tiles and the technique of placing (simple placing or "back"-buttering).
As a guide, in kilogram of powder per m² on flat surfaces:

Tiles size

Coverage

Trowel size

Ceramic mosaics, mounted ceramic

~5 kg/m²

4 mm x 4 mm notched trowel

Ceramic & pavers (10 cm x 10 cm)

~5 kg/m²

6 mm x 6 mm notched trowel

Quarry tile (15 cm x 15 cm and 20 cm x 20 cm)

~7.14 kg/m²

6 mm x 10 mm notched trowel

Lugged back and Mexican paver tile

~10.4 kg/m²

12 mm x 12 mm notched trowel

The consumption above may only serve as a guide. It is highly recommended to carry-out trials on site to determine the actual coverage.
Application steps

MIXING

Pour clean water into a mixing container. Then, slowly add Davco® 168 while mixing. Do not Dump! Mix continuously in a circular motion using a low-speed mechanical mixer until a lump-free, creamy consistency and uniform paste is achieved.

Allow the mix to stand for 5 minutes and re-mix prior to use.

APPLICATION

Davco® 168 is spread onto the substrate using a proper and suitable notched trowel. The choice of trowel should be governed by the size of the tiles, depth of knobs, grooves or ridges on the back of the tiles and the evenness of the substrate.

Use the flat side of the notched trowel to spread the mix onto the receiving surface at approximately 1 m² at a time. Then, use the notched side of the trowel to apply the required amount of the mix in one direction.

Press the tile in perpendicular motion and tapped into position to ensure positive contact with the adhesive and adjust it within 30 minutes.

For tile with grooves or ridges, it is necessary to skim a layer of adhesive / butter coat the back of the tiles. This is to ensure adequate material and a good bond between the adhesive and tile.

Ensure that the adhesive is wet when the tiles are laid. Do not allow the adhesive to skin-over prior to tilling. Should skinning occur, break the skin by re-trowelling the adhesive in the opposite direction.

Do not spread more than 1 m² at any one time. Fix tiles within 15 minutes of applying the adhesive and check the contact by occasionally lifting the tiles. Ensure there are no voids under the tiles and the edges between the tiles are even (lippage) with a consistent joint width.

For external areas, protect from direct sunlight and rain by means of a shelter. It is the user’s responsibility to determine the condition and suitability of all surfaces prior to application.

Grouting

Tile joint grouting should preferably be carried-out at least 24 hours after completion of tiling or until the adhesive has set and dry sufficiently.

Setting may be delayed on dense or impervious surface.

CLEANING OF EQUIPMENT

Clean all tools and application equipments with clean water immediately after use. Hardened or cured material can only be removed mechanically.

 

Documents

FAQ

What is a C1 tile adhesive?

A C1 tile adhesive is cementitious and has normal setting characteristics. To be categorize as C1, cementitious tile adhesives must meet the tensile adhesion requirement of ≥ 0.5 N/mm² after normal curing, water immersion, heat aging and freeze-thaw cycles (EN 12004).

C1 tile adhesives are normally used as adhesives for ceramic tiles and small format tiles (up to 300 mm × 300 mm) in general conditions.

Sika's product:

What are the differences between porcelain and ceramic tiles? Does this affect the type of tile adhesive I should use?

Porcelain tiles are more durable (denser and harder), has lower water absorption properties (≤ 0.5 %), and are normally used in areas with high volume of foot traffic (eg. commercial properties, hotels, offices, and retail outlets). Hence, porcelain tiles require a tile adhesive with improved bonding properties (C2).

Sika's product:

Ceramic tiles are easier to use (less brittle, easy to cut and shape), have higher water absorption properties (˃ 0.5 %), and are normally used for walls and floors in housing projects, interior walls of commercial buildings and low volume foot traffic areas. Therefore, ceramic tiles require a tile adhesive with normal bonding properties (C1).

Sika's product: