Tile adhesive is a cement-based specialty mortar composed of high-quality cement, graded aggregates, and additives (such as redispersible polymer powder, cellulose ether, etc).
Cement is the binder, providing excellent compatibility with cement-based wall surfaces and tiles. Cement-based materials offer excellent stability and environmental friendliness.
Another component of tile adhesive is graded aggregate. Think of it as the skeleton of tile adhesive, similar to the human skeleton, primarily providing support and reinforcement. "Grading" refers to the proportion of grade. The graded aggregate in tile adhesive is primarily sand, meaning the size and quantity of the sand in the adhesive are precisely proportioned.
Cement and aggregate are both fundamental components of tile adhesive. Choosing cement with different properties and aggregate with different grades will affect the basic performance of the tile adhesive.
Additives are the soul of tile adhesive. They transform simple cementitious materials and aggregates into high-performance modern tile adhesives. Without them, the adhesive's bond, flexibility, and workability would be significantly compromised. Forward Chem redispersible polymer powder (FWD 1100, FWD 1200, FWD 5044, etc.) is the most important and core additives in tile adhesives. It effectively enhancesthe adhesive's bond strength, anti-slip properties, water resistance, and flexibility. Forward Chem cellulose ethers (HPMC/HEMC) has excellent water-retention and thickening properties. Together with the redispersible polymer powder, they provide tile adhesives with even greater performance advantages.
- Tile Adhesive is Easier to Apply Than Cement
Traditional cement and cement mortar materials have poor water retention, making application more complex. Typically, the wall surface needs to be moistened, the tiles need to be soaked beforehand, and the material needs to be laid thickly.
In contrast, since tile adhesive is a pre-made specialty mortar, its application method is much simpler. Simply add water to the desired mixture and mix thoroughly. Then, use a toothed scraper to apply a thin layer of adhesive on both sides. There's no need to moisten the wall or soak the tiles, saving time and labor costs for both the contractor and the homeowner.
- Tile Adhesive Has Stronger Bonding Than Cement
The principles of tile adhesive and cement are also quite different. Cement mortar relies on the cement's anchoring effect to penetrate the tiny pores of the tile and "grab" it. This mechanical engagement force is very limited and requires high water absorption from both the base and the tile. Therefore, it's useless against vitrified tiles with low water absorption.
Tile adhesive, on the other hand, relies more on the chemical adsorption properties of redispersible polymer powder and cellulose ether, effectively adhering to low-water-absorption vitrified tiles and other tile types. In addition to the aforementioned advantages, tile adhesive, as a dry mixed mortar, has all the ingredients pre-mixed in the factory.
There's no need to mix cement, sand, and other ingredients on-site. Simply add water and mix according to the desired ratio before use. This reduces on-site mixing fluctuations and significantly improves the stability and quality of the tiling material. No wonder it's increasingly popular among homeowners!