SikaCeram®-88 EM
Cementitious tile adhesive
SikaCeram®-88 EM is a one-pack premixed cementitious tile adhesive containing, cement, polymers, quartz minerals and additives, for bonding ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles and mosaics to floors and walls.
- Easy to use with excellent workability
- Good adhesion to most common substrates (concrete, cementitious mortar, stone, bricks, etc.)
- Can be used with SikaLatex®-118 EM to increase performance of the adhesive
Usage
SikaCeram®-88 EM, is used for bonding ceramic tiles in continuous thin layers, up to 10 mm thick. Due to its good adhesion strength, it is used to replace the traditional method of bonding tiles (using cement and sand). SikaCeram®-88 EM is suitable to bond the following types of tiles:- Ceramic and mosaic tiles
- Porcelain tiles (SikaCeram®-88 EM shall be mixed with SikaLatex®-88 or SikaLatex®-118 EM)
- Concrete and mortar
- Bricks
Advantages
- Easy to use with excellent workability
- Good adhesion to most common substrates (concrete, cementitious mortar, stone, bricks, etc.)
- Can be used with SikaLatex®-118 EM to increase performance of the adhesive
Packaging
- 20 kg bag
- 25 kg bag
Colour
Grey powder
Product Details
Shelf Life
6 months from date of production
Storage Conditions
Store properly in original, unopened and undamaged sealed packaging in dry conditions. Not sensitive to frost.
Maximum Grain Size
| 0.8 mm | (EN 12192-1) |
Application
Mixing Ratio
- 4.8–5.2 L of water per 20 kg bag
- 6.0–6.5 L of water per 25 kg bag
Layer Thickness
3 mm min. / 10 mm max.
Ambient Air Temperature
+5 °C min. / +40 °C max.
Substrate Temperature
+5 °C min. / +40 °C max.
Open Time
Open time is approximately 20 minutes under normal temperature and humidity conditions. In unfavourable conditions, the open time may be shorter.
Applied Product Ready for Use
At +25 °C
| Before jointing works | Min. 24 hours |
| Before opening to light foot traffic | Min. 24 hours |
| Before opening to full traffic | Min. 7 days |
Adjustability Time
Once the tiles are placed into the mortar, they can be adjusted within ~20 minutes (at +20 °C).
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 |
| Mosaics and small tiles | ~2.0–3.0 kg/m² | 3 mm × 3 mm notched trowel |
| Normal size tiles (30 cm × 30 cm) | ~5.0–5.5 kg/m² | 6 mm × 6 mm notched trowel |
| Large size tiles up to 3600 cm² (internal floors) | ~10.0–11.0 kg/m² | 12 mm × 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.
MIXING
Place about 80 % of the pre-measured clean water (depending on the consistency required) into a clean container and gradually add the whole bag of SikaCeram®-88 EM into it while continuously mixing. Add the remaining water until the desired consistency is obtained. Mix thoroughly for a minimum of 3 minutes.
Leave the material to stand in the container for a minimum of 5 minutes. Then, remix the material for another 15 seconds. SikaCeram®-88 EM is now ready for use.
SikaCeram®-88 EM must be mechanically mixed using a forced action mixer or in a clean container using a drill and mixing paddle (< 500 rpm). Do not use a free fall concrete mixer to mix SikaCeram®-88 EM.
APPLICATION
SikaCeram®-88 EM is applied using a notched trowel onto the substrate. Choose the size of trowel that will give the right thickness on the back of the tile.
After the surfaces of the substrate has been prepared, apply SikaCeram®-88 EM onto the substrate using a notched trowel. SikaCeram®-88 EM should be applied onto the substrate at a rate of 1 m² per installation. Applying at rates greater than this can result in skinning of adhesive before the tiles are laid. Once the adhesive is applied onto the substrate, ensure that skinning has not occured prior to setting the tiles. If a surface film has developed, make a pass over the adhesive using a notched trowel. Rework the adhesive before setting the tiles within the open time. When setting the tiles into the adhesive, use the Tarver Method; press, slide perpendicular and slide return. This method will ensure that any air entrapped between the beads comes out easily at the ends. For tiles with lugs, grooves or uneven backing, it is required to back-butter the tile with adhesive before setting them down. The final bed thickness of SikaCeram®-88 EM should be at least 4 mm for wall and 8 mm for floor. Once the tiling works are completed, do not disturb the tiles for at least 6–8 hours.
As a guide:
SikaCeram®-88 EM is used for fixing absorbent / ceramic tiles up to a maximum size of 3600 cm² (e.g. 60 cm x 60 cm) for indoor floors, up to 1800 cm² (e.g. 30 cm x 60 cm) for indoor walls.
CLEANING OF TOOLS
Clean all tools and application equipment with clean water immediately after use. Hardened / cured material can only be removed mechanically.