Product Name: Vison Epoxy
Manufacturer: Vison Tech Products LLC
Product Description
VISON EPOXY is a professional formula with high chemical resistance and bonding strength. The water-cleanable, 100% solids epoxy formula has outstanding adhesion to concrete, plywood subfloors, fiberglass, and metal surfaces. VISON EPOXY is also ideal for quarry, porcelain, glass tile, and special bonding conditions of moisture-sensitive stone installations. It can be used in industrial, commercial, and residential applications as a chemical and stain-resistant grout. VISON EPOXY can be used on interior or exterior floors, walls, or countertops. It can be used where harsh washing, sanitary requirements, and/or spill resistance are required
Packaging
COLOR: Available in 7- colors
PACKAGING: Pail contents A) 2-lbs Epoxy resin liquid, B) 1- lb Hardener resin liquid C) 10-lbs Powder consisting of specially graded silica quartz.
Area Of Use
VISON EPOXY may be used for grouting and setting all tile types such as ceramic, mosaic, quarry, cement body tile, impervious tiles, and natural stone. This product is ideally suited for bonding moisture-sensitive stone (such as green marble). Vison Epoxy used as grout can provide maximum chemical and stain resistance. Another feature of the grout is that it will require no sealers. The color of the Vison Epoxy will not change wet (darken) and dry (lighten) in installations such as a shower or pool water line. The color will remain consistent. Use with tile or natural stone with joints from 1/8" to 1/2".
Key Benefits and Features
· Excellent chemical and stain-resistant grouting and bonding mortar
· Industrial, commercial and residential installation
· No additive or no sealer is required
· All components are pre-measured and ready to mix
· Interior/Exterior use
· Meets and exceeds ANSI A118.3 specifications.
Limitations
Should not be installed when the ambient surface temperature is lower than 50°F (10°C) or higher than 95°F (35°C). Some ceramic tile, marble, or stone can be scratched, stained, or darkened by epoxy resins. Tile with high absorption, surface porosity, or rough, textured surfaces and certain types of porcelain may require sealing prior to grouting to prevent staining. Color variation can occur due to tile type, tile porosity, job site conditions, application, and cleaning techniques.
Applicable Standards
Mixed and tested in accordance with ANSI A108.6 and A118.6 Specifications for Chemical Resistant, Water Cleanable Tile-Setting, and Grouting Epoxy.
Mixing Ratios – A, B, and C parts
Mix in a clean water container: A) 2 lbs. -Epoxy resin liquid, B) 1 lb. - Hardener resin liquid to a uniform blend. Slowly add and stir C) 10 lbs. -Powder specially graded silica quartzes into a smooth, non-flowable paste.
Mixing Procedures
Mix with a trowel or low-speed mixer (less than 300 rpm) to achieve a smooth, lump-free consistency. The mixture can be immediately used. Periodically stir to keep the mixture workable, but do not add water, which can weaken the product, cause color variation and possibly cause shrinkage, cracks, and pinholes. Discard grout when it becomes too stiff to work. Use the mortar within the bucket life of 90-120 minutes based on ambient temperature. Best results occur when 80-90% mixed mortar is placed in cooler work areas and not left in the container to gain heat.
Installation: For Bonding
General Surface Prep
All surfaces must be dry, and structurally sound. Remove all grease, oil, dirt, curing compounds, sealers, adhesives, or any other contaminant that would prevent a proper bond. Glossy or painted surfaces must be sanded, and stripped of all contaminants. Concrete must be free of efflorescence and not subject to hydrostatic pressure. Concrete slabs should have a coarse finish to enhance the bond. Plywood flooring including those under resilient flooring must be structurally sound and meet all ANSI and deflection requirements. Ambient temperature should be maintained above 50° F (10° C) or below 100° F (38° C) for 72 hours to achieve proper grout and bond installation.
Cementitious Substrates
Concrete or plaster must be fully cured and must accept water penetration. Contaminants should be mechanically removed before installation. Concrete must be free of efflorescence and not subject to hydrostatic pressure. Concrete slabs should have a coarse finish to enhance the grout and bond. Smooth concrete slabs must be mechanically abraded to achieve a proper bond.
Non-Cementitious Substrates
All non-conforming surfaces such as strip wood, old plaster, or painted surfaces can be covered with a cleavage membrane topped with a 3/8" - 3/4" (10 – 20 mm) reinforced mortar bed for walls and a 1 1/4" (32 mm) reinforced mortar bed for floors. After a minimum of 20 hours, the epoxy mortar may be applied to the mortar bed. Plastic laminate shall be sanded and well bonded to its substrate.
Tile over Tile and Other Surfaces
The surface must be Portland cement grout and bond compatible, the old surface must be well grouted and bonded and without waxes, sealer, or coatings. Smooth or slick surfaces will be heavily scratched, scarred, coarse sanded, or abraded to provide a mechanical bond.
Expansion Joints
Install expansion joints around all perimeters or restraining surfaces where possible to allow for expansion movement. 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. Contact Vison Tech’s Technical Services for the proper treatment of control or saw-cut joints. Refer to TCNA Handbook EJ171
For Bonding
Application
Use a properly-sized notch trowel to ensure proper coverage under tiles. Using the flat side of the trowel, apply a skim coat of the epoxy mortar to the surface. With the notched side of the trowel held at a 45° angle, apply additional mortar to the surface, combing in one direction. Press the tile firmly into place in a perpendicular motion across ridges, moving back and forth. The perpendicular motion flattens ridges and closes valleys, allowing maximum coverage. Tiles with deep patterns, high lugs, or irregular textures on the back surface may require "back buttering" to ensure 100% coverage of the back of tiles. The proper method of bonding tiles requires embedding, pressing, and sliding tiles perpendicular to wet mortar ridges to have a nominal mortar thickness of 1/32" – 3/32" (1 - 3 mm) and 100% coverage. During the setting of tile, it is advisable to occasionally remove a tile to be sure mortar has not skinned over and sufficient transfer is being made. Do not adjust tiles in mortar after they have been set past 10 - 15 min. When installing natural stone units, the best practice installation method is to check and remove bond surface dust or loose particle before bonding.
Trowel Recommendation
Smaller tiles will use smaller notched trowels and larger tiles will require larger notched trowels suitable for providing a minimum 1/32" - 3/32" (1 – 3 mm) bed thickness after embedding the tile. Spot bonding or mortar dollops application does not meet installation trade practices and provides proper adhesion and impact support.
Bond Coverage per unit
3/16” x 1/4” V-notch trowel = 36 sq. ft. (3.3 m2)
1/4” x 1/4” square notch trowel= 22 sq. ft. (2 m2)
For Grouting
General Surface Prep
Tile or stone must be firmly bonded to a sound substrate, and setting material must be cured a minimum of 24 – 48 hours before grouting. Grout joints must be free of excess setting materials and job site debris. Use a sealer to seal tile or stone subject to staining. Care should be exercised when applying a sealer so that the surface and not the tile edges are covered.
Application
Use an epoxy grout float/green rubber float to spread and fully pack the joints between the tiles. Work only a small area at one time. Apply in a diagonal direction across the joint lines to prevent the grout from being dragged out of the joints. Go over each area several times from all directions to make sure that the grout is fully packed in. Remove any excess grout from the surface of the tile by holding the float at a 90° angle to the surface and moving it diagonally across the joints. Repeat the entire process until all joints are grouted.
Working Time
Approximately 90-120 minutes, depending on ambient temperature.
Clean-up
Vison Epoxy should be cleaned immediately with fresh water during the installation process. Vison Epoxy should not be allowed to set or firm on the face/surface of the tile. Wet a grout sponge in a pail containing cool, clean water and place an additional water layer to wet the tile and grout surface. Move the water-soaked sponge across the tiles diagonally to smooth and smooth the grout down to the proper tile height in the joint. Continue this procedure, repeatedly rinsing the sponge in clean water and re-wetting the sponge with clean liquid. After the final finish of grout is achieved, wipe and remove all excess cleaning water or residue that remains on the surface of the grout joint and tiles. To prevent any grout haze or resin film, the tile surface should be wiped and rinsed with a fresh clean water-dampened terry cloth towel.
Protection
Protect the finished installation from traffic or impact for at least 24 hours after the setting or grouting stages.
Temperature Range for Installation
Do not grout below 50°F or above 90°F ambient temperature.
Curing
Curing time is affected by ambient, temperature and humidity. Cover and protect the surface from other trades traffic or debris. Light traffic can be allowed after 20-24 cure.
Maintenance Cleaning
Do not use a chemical cleaner containing acid for routine maintenance programs for the first 14 days. Vison Epoxy is resistant to mold and mildew growth, but the organic material on the surface can provide a food source. It is recommended periodically clean the surface with T.S.P solution to remove dirt, food residues, and scums which prevented mold and mildew growth.
Sealing and Staining
No sealers are required for Vison Epoxy grout. Light-colored grout may show walking traffic due to traffic volume and texture, it may be necessary to increase maintenance frequency to remove collected surface debris.