EBM-Lite™ Premium Epoxy Bonding Mortar — 100% Solids

Applicable Standards

Detailed installation procedures and use of epoxy mortars may be found in the TCNA Handbook under F-113, F-114, F-115, F-116, F-125, F-128, F-143, F-131, F-132, F-134, F-135, F-200, F-205, TR-711 and TR-712. Conforms to requirements for chemical-resistant, water cleanable tile setting epoxy found in ANSI A108.6 and ANSI A118.3.

Conformance to Building Codes

Installation must comply with the requirements of all applicable local, state and federal code jurisdictions.

Composition of Product

Epoxy resin and hardeners blended with inorganic fillers

Environmental Consideration

Custom® Building Products is committed to environmental responsibility in both products produced and in manufacturing practices. Use of this product can contribute towards LEED® v3 certification:

• Up to 2 points towards MR Credit 5, Regional Materials
• Up to 2 points towards MR Credit 4, Recycled Content
• Up to 1 point towards IEQ Credit 4.1, Low-Emitting Materials – Adhesives & Sealants

Suitable Tile Types

• Moisture sensitive natural stone or agglomerates
• Resin-backed stone
• Vitreous, semi-vitreous or absorptive tile: ceramic, mosaic, quarry, cement
• Impervious porcelain and glass tile
• Brick and mini brick
• Cement-based precast terrazzo
• Most natural stone tile including moisture sensitive green and black marble and granite

Suitable Substrates

• For floor and wall installations
• For interior use
• For exterior installations; surface temperature must remain between 60°F (16°C) and 90°F (32°C) during installation
• Industrial, commercial and institutional applications with extremely high mortar strength requirements
• High traffic areas such as airports and shopping malls
• Applications requiring high acid and chemical resistance such as dairies, breweries, bottling plants, bakeries, meat packing plants, pharmaceutical plants and animal hospitals
• Concrete, masonry, plaster
• WonderBoard®, cement backerboards
• Gypsum wallboard (dry areas)
• Exterior Grade Plywood (interior dry areas)
• Properly prepared existing ceramic tile
• Properly prepared sheet vinyl, VCT
• Properly prepared existing plastic laminate
• Properly prepared bare carbon steel
• Properly prepared cutback adhesive
• Properly prepared fiberglass
• Properly prepared metal

General Surface Prep

USE CHEMICAL-RESISTANT GLOVES, such as nitrile, when handling product.

Surfaces must be structurally sound, clean, dry and free from grease, oil, dirt, curing compounds, sealers, adhesives or any other contaminant that would prevent a good bond. Glossy or painted surfaces must be sanded, stripped and cleaned of waxes, dirt or any contaminants. Concrete must be cured 28 days and accept water penetration. Concrete must be free of efflorescence and not subject to hydrostatic pressure. Concrete slabs should have a broomed or brushed finish to enhance the bond. Plywood flooring including those under resilient flooring must be structurally sound and meet all ANSI and deflection requirements. For questions about proper subfloor installation, call Technical Services. Sheet vinyl must be well-bonded and stripped of old finish. Roughen the surface by sanding or scarifying, rinse and allow to dry. Expansion joints should never be bridged with setting material. Do not sand flooring materials containing asbestos. Ambient temperature, surfaces and materials should be maintained at a temperature above 50° F (10° C) or below 100° F (38° C) for 72 hours.

Movement Joint Placement

Movement joints are required for perimeters and other changes of plane in all installations. Expansion joints and cold joints, as described in ANSI A108.01, should never be bridged with setting material. They must be brought through the tile work and filled with an appropriate elastomeric sealant, such as Custom's® 100% Silicone. Contact Custom's® Technical Services for the proper treatment of control or saw cut joints. Refer to TCNA EJ171, F125 and F125A.

Health Precautions

WARNING: Powder contains free silica. DO NOT breathe dust. Dust can irritate eyes and may cause delayed lung injury (Silicosis). Wear a dust mask and rubber gloves when handling. Provide adequate ventilation. Keep containers closed tight when not in use. Handle carefully to keep dust to a minimum. In case of spillage, sweep up and discard. After using, wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water before eating, drinking or smoking. If affected by inhaling large amounts of dust, remove victim to fresh air. If eyes are irritated, flush with clean water. CORROSIVE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY.

Limitations to the Product

• Do not bond directly to hardwood, Luan plywood, particle board, parquet, cushion or sponge-back vinyl flooring, plastic and OSB panels.
• Epoxy mortar should not be used to level the floor.  When used as a medium bed mortar, thickness should not exceed 3/4" (19 mm) after tiles have been beaten in.
• When setting glass tile over 6" x 6" (15 x 15 cm) contact Technical Services for recommendations.
• When setting dimensional stone 12" x 12" (30 x 30 cm) or larger, contact Technical Services for recommendations regarding subfloor deflection requirements.
• Temperature will affect the working time of EBM-Lite™. Hot weather will accelerate curing and shorten working time. Cold weather will slow curing and extend working time. Surface temperatures for installation should be between 60°F (16°C) and 90°F (32°C).
• Not recommended in some manufacturing facilities where heavy solvents are used. Consult Technical Services on questionable installations.
• Not recommended for mortar in areas with high moisture vapor emission or for a full building envelope application (ie: entire exterior building veneer).

Bonding to Concrete Surfaces

Concrete or plaster must be fully cured and must accept water penetration. Test by sprinkling water on various areas of the substrate. If water penetrates, then a good bond can be achieved; if water beads, surface contaminants are present, and loss of adhesion may occur. Contaminants should be mechanically removed before installation. Concrete must be free of efflorescence and not subject to hydrostatic pressure. Concrete slabs should have a broomed or brushed finish to enhance the bond. Smooth concrete slabs must be mechanically abraded to ensure a good bond.

Bonding to Plywood Surfaces

Plywood floors, including those under resilient flooring, must be structurally sound and must meet all ANSI A108.01 Part 3.4 requirements.

Maximum allowable deflection: L/360 tile L/720 stone. See TCNA F150-14 Tile Installations, TCNA F141-14 and F250-14 for Stone. For questions about proper subfloor installation requirements, contact CUSTOM technical services.

Bonding to Backerboards

Tile backerboards such as WonderBoard® Lite are a superior alternative to using a second layer of plywood as a final substrate for tile installation. EasyMat® is an underlayment that can be used in the same regard. Each provide unique benefits to tile installation but all can be installed over plywood to ensure that maximum bond strengths and performance are achieved. Refer to respective data sheet for installation information.

Bonding to Existing Surfacing Material

Resilient flooring or plastic laminates must be well-bonded, as well as clean and free of all contaminates. Roughen the surface by sanding or scarifying; rinse and allow to dry. Do not sand flooring that contains asbestos. For existing well-bonded ceramic tile, mechanically abrade the surface. Rinse and allow to dry. When sanding, an approved respirator should be used.

Bonding to Cutback Adhesive

Adhesive layers must be removed, as they reduce mortar bond strength to cement surfaces. Use extreme caution; adhesives may contain asbestos fibers. Do not sand or grind adhesive residue, as harmful dust may result. Never use adhesive removers or solvents, as they soften the adhesive and may cause it to penetrate into the concrete. Adhesive residue must be wet-scraped to the finished surface of the concrete, leaving only the transparent staining from the glue. To determine desirable results, do a test bond area before starting. Refer to the RFCI Pamphlet, "Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings", for further information.

Mixing Procedures

Empty entire contents of Part A and Part B into clean mixing container and mix thoroughly. Gradually add Part C powder into premixed liquids. Mix by hand or with a low-speed mechanical mixer less than 300 RPM. Mix for 2-3 minutes or until a smooth trowelable consistency is obtained. Do not overmix or entrap air into mixture. This will shorten pot life and weaken the product.

Application of Product

INSTALLATION TO CONFORM TO ANSI A108.4 and A108.6. Use a properly-size notch trowel to ensure proper coverage under tiles. Using flat side of trowel, apply skim coat of mortar to the surface. Apply additional mortar with notched side of trowel held at a 45° angle to the surface, combing in one direction. Press tile firmly into place in a perpendicular motion across ridges, moving back and forth. Perpendicular pressing flattens ridges and closes valleys allowing maximum coverage. Adjust tile promptly and beat in with a beating block and rubber mallet. Thickness should not exceed 3/4" (6 mm) after tiles have been beaten in. Periodically pull up a tile and check the back to ensure complete coverage with the adhesive. Do not trowel out more epoxy than can be covered in 10 minutes. Thicknesses greater than 1/4" (6 mm) will generate excessive heat and shorten working time. Do not attempt to work more than one unit at a time. Larger units may require a two or three person crew to spread or clean. If epoxy loses tack, remove and replace with fresh epoxy. If epoxy mortar gets on the face of the tile, clean with warm water and sponge before it sets.

Curing of Product

Ambient and surface temperatures as well as temperature of the material will affect the cure time of the epoxy. Allow to cure a minimum of 16 hours at temperatures above 70°F (21°C) and 72 hours at temperatures between 60°F and 70°F (16°C and 21°C) before grouting. Generally, light foot traffic can be allowed in 16 hours, normal foot traffic in 24 hours and heavy foot traffic in 72 hours.

Cleaning of equipment

Epoxy must be cleaned from tools with water quickly after application. Do not allow epoxy to cure on surface of tile.

Storage

Keep from freezing.

Product Maintenance

Properly installed product requires no special maintenance.

Expected Wear

Properly installed tile will last for more than 60 years.