Keracolor FF
High performance, polymer-modified, water-repellent, mould resistant cement-based grout with DropEffect® and Bioblock® technology for joints up to 6 mm
CLASSIFICATION IN COMPLIANCE WITH ISO 13007
Keracolor FF is an improved (2) cementitious (C) grout (G), with reduced water absorption (W) and high abrasion resistance (A), classified as CG2WA.
WHERE TO USE
Grouting interior and exterior floor and wall tiling (single fired, double fired, klinker, porcelain tile, etc.), stone material (natural stones, marble, granite, agglomerates, etc.), glass and marble mosaics.
Some application examples
• Grouting floor and wall ceramic tiles in interiors.
• Grouting swimming pools.
• Grouting particularly smooth and glossy floor surfaces (smooth and polished porcelain, pre-smoothened and polished marble, glazed tiles).
• Grouting ceramic tile industrial flooring where resistance to chemical agents is not required (garages, warehouses, etc.).
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Keracolor FF is a blend of cement, very fine-graded aggregates, special polymers, additives and pigments. The use of special hydrophobic additives (DropEffect® and BioBlock® technology) gives grouting mortars highly water-repellent properties, making them less prone to dirtiness and with excellent durability. The addition of BioBlock® technology resists the growth of mould and mildew allowing the grout to be easily cleaned. The following features are obtained when mixed with the right water ratio and used correctly:
• water-repellent and droplet-effect;
• mould and mildew resistant
• good compressive and flexural strength, good resistance to freeze/thaw cycles, and therefore good durability;
• a smooth final surface with low water absorption, therefore easy to clean;
• very good abrasion resistance;
• low shrinkage, therefore absence of cracks and fissures;
• good resistance to acids with pH >3;
• excellent value for performance.
When mixing Keracolor FF with Fugolastic, a special synthetic resin-based polymeric additive, the final characteristics are improved for use even under harsh conditions (grouting façades, swimming pools, bathrooms, floors with heavy traffic).
For further information consult the Fugolastic technical data sheet.
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Do not mix Keracolor FF with cement or any other products. Never add water to the mixture that is beginning to set.
• Do not blend different colours of grout together as there is a risk of colour inconsistency and lack of uniformity of the final shade once the grout has set.
• Never mix Keracolor FF with salty or dirty water.
• Use the product in temperatures between +5°C and +35°C.
• The amount of mix water must be precisely measured. Excess water could induce the appearance of a whitish coat over the surface (efflorescence). Different colour tones could result if mixtures with different water ratios are prepared. Efflorescence over the surface is due
Keracolor FF
to the formation of calcium carbonate and could also be caused by residual moisture contained in adhesives, not fully hydrated grouts, in substrates not adequately dried, or in substrates not adequately protected from rising damp.
• After filling the joints, do not sprinkle Keracolor FF powder onto the grout as this can cause uneven colour and reduce the mechanical strength.
• Expansion joints and movement joints in floors and walls should never be filled with Keracolor FF , but with the appropriate flexible MAPEI sealant.
• The surface of some ceramic tiles or stone materials are rough or contain micro-porosities. It is recommended to carry out a sample test to verify cleanability and when necessary, apply a protective treatment over the surface, but avoiding penetration into the joints. When grouting a swimming pool which is due to be disinfected through saline electrolysis please use Ultracolor Plus or Kerapoxy
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Preparing the joints
Before grouting, wait until the installation mortar or the adhesive has completely hardened. Verify that the waiting time indicated on the relevant technical data sheet has elapsed.
The joints must be clean, free of dust and raked back to at least 2/3 of the tile thickness. Excess adhesive or mortar should be removed whilst still fresh.
Wet the joints with clean water when using very porous ceramic tiles in high temperatures and in the presence of wind.
Preparing the mix
While stirring, pour Keracolor FF into a clean, rust-free container containing 26 - 28% by weight, dependant on grout colour, of clean water or Fugolastic (if required in the application). When grouting floors, the mixture can be made thinner by adding more water (approx. 27 - 30% by weight).
Mix with a low speed mixer to avoid excess formation of air bubbles, to a smooth consistency. Wait 2-3 minutes and briefly re-stir before use. Use the mixture within 2 hours of preparation.
Applying the grout
Fill the joints completely with Keracolor FF using the appropriate MAPEI trowel or rubber float, making sure the joints are completely compacted, with no unevenness. Remove excess Keracolor FF, while still fresh, from the surface moving the float diagonally across joints.
Finishing
When the mixture loses its plasticity and becomes matt, usually after 10-20 minutes, clean excess Keracolor FF with a damp hard cellulose sponge (e.g. MAPEI sponge) working diagonally to the joints. Rinse the sponge frequently using two separate buckets of water: one to remove the excess from the sponge and the other with clean water for rinsing out the sponge. Cleaning can also be carried out with a power float. To aid removal of the hardened product from
the tiles, use a dampened Scotch-Brite ® pad or a disc-type power float with special abrasive-felt discs.
If cleaning is carried out too early (when the mixture is still plastic), the grout may be dragged from the joint leading to colour variation. On the other hand, if the grout has already hardened, it is necessary to clean the surface mechanically, which could scratch the surface of the tiles.
When applying Keracolor FF in extremely hot, dry or windy climates, it is recommended to wet the joints after several hours.
Wet curing of Keracolor FF always improves its final performance.
Any residual powdery haze can be cleaned from the surface with a clean dry cloth.
After the final cleaning, if the surface of the floors or walls are still contaminated with Keracolor FF , an acid cleaner can be used (e.g. Keranet), following the relevant instructions, at least 10 days after grouting the joints. Use Keranet only on acid-resistant surfaces and never on marble or limestone materials.
SET TO LIGHT FOOT TRAFFIC
Floors are set to light foot traffic after approximately 24 hours.
READY FOR USE
Floors are ready for traffic after approx. 7 days. Swimming pools and tanks can be filled 7 days after grouting.
Cleaning
Clean tools and containers with plenty of water before Keracolor FF hardens.
CONSUMPTION
Coverage of Keracolor FF varies depending on the width of the joints, the size and thickness of the tiles. Please refer to the product calculator to estimate consumption rates at www.mapei.com.au. Some examples of coverage in kg/m² are shown in the chart overleaf.
PACKAGING
20 kg bags and boxes containing 2 kg and 5 kg Alupaks depending on the colour.
COLOURS
Keracolor FF is available in 15 colours from the MAPEI range.
STORAGE
Keracolor FF can be stored for 12 months in the 20 kg bags and 24 months for the 2 kg and 5 kg bags in a dry place in original packaging.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PREPARATION AND INSTALLATION
Keracolor FF contains cement, that when in contact with sweat or other body fluids, causes an irritant alkaline reactions and allergic reactions to those predisposed. It can cause damage to eyes.
During use, wear protective gloves and goggles and take the usual precautions for handling chemicals. If the product comes in contact with the eyes or skin, wash immediately with plenty of clean water and
Grouting a glass mosaic (bathroom) with a float
Finishing a glass mosaic with a sponge
TECHNICAL DATA (typical values)
In compliance with: – European EN 13888 as CG2WA – ISO 13007-3 as CG2WA
PRODUCT IDENTITY
Type: fine powder
Colour: 14 colours from the MAPEI range
Bulk density (kg/m³): 1.0 - 1.4 Dry solids content (%):
EMICODE: EC1 Plus - very low emission
APPLICATION DATA (at +23°C and 50% R.H.)
Mixing ratio: 100 parts of Keracolor FF with 26 - 28 parts of water by weight depending on the colour
Consistency of mix:
Pot life of mix: approx. 2 hours
Application temperature: from +5°C to +35°C
Grouting after installation:
– on walls bonded with normal setting adhesive:
– on walls bonded with fast setting adhesive:
– on walls laid with mortar:
– on floors bonded with normal setting adhesive:
– on floors bonded with fast setting adhesive:
– on floors laid with mortar:
FINAL PERFORMANCES
Flexural strength after 28 days (EN 12808-3):
Compressive strength after 28 days (EN 12808-3):
Flexural strength after freeze-thaw cycles (EN 12808-3):
Compressive strength after freeze-thaw cycles (EN 12808-3):
Abrasion resistance (EN 12808-2):
Shrinkage (EN 12808-4):
Water absorption after 30 min. (EN 12808-5):
Water absorption after 4 hours (EN 12808-5):
Resistance to moisture:
Resistance to ageing:
Resistance to solvents, oils and alkali:
In compliance with European Norm EN 13888 as CG2WA }
Resistance to acids: good if pH > 3
Resistance to temperature: from –30°C to +80°C
Grouting single-fired tiles with
float
Finishing with
Scotch-Brite® pad
An
