Page 93 - CFJ_Feb26

SECTOR FOCUS SMOOTHING COMPOUNDS

Palace Chemicals’ reinforced fibre technology ‘sets new standards in levelling’
ODAY’s flooring industry is increasingly floors in a single pour and are suitable for excellent flow, superb surface smoothness
Tlooking for products which combine different types of installation, conforming and outstanding early strength. It supports
speed, reliability and long-term to all relevant standards and providing bed depths from 2mm to 50mm, making
performance, especially when working with the usual Palace technical excellence and it suitable for everything from minor
challenging substrates, large-format tiles lifetime guarantee of effectiveness, where corrections to substantial levelling tasks.
and underfloor heating systems. a specification has been provided by the ‘It provides excellent levelling and flow
PALACE CHEMICALS says it’s responded company. to give a super-smooth finish, and its high
with its advanced Reinforced Fibre ‘The Palace RFT technology is included early strength characteristics mean that it
Technology (RFT). ‘This fibre-enhanced in our THICK BED FLOOR LEVELLING can take foot traffic after just three hours.
chemistry is designed to deliver improved COMPOUND which is suitable for It is suitable for pump application. Tiles
shrinkage resistance, flexural strength, as applications on a wide range of floor can be fixed after just four hours and other
well as impact and abrasion resistance, surfaces, such as tamped or worn concrete, floorcoverings after 24 hours.’
helping professionals achieve flawless sand/cement screeds, mastic asphalt, Continues the company: ‘While Palace’s
results even in demanding conditions.’ plywood and other dense, impermeable RFT-enhanced levellers prepare the ideal
Says the company: ‘The Palace levelling surfaces. subfloor, the company’s fibre-reinforced
range stretches from deep-fill tile adhesives bring the same
performance to rapid turnaround reliability and performance into the
‘fast access’ solutions, all bond layer. The characteristics of
supported by the structural the RFT adhesive technology, with
benefits of RFT This gives the microfibres and specialist fillers,
company’s levellers optimum increase the mechanical strength
strength and stability, as they of tile adhesives and improve
change the mechanics by stability during installation.
giving added reinforcement ‘The fibres add body to the
dispersed throughout the mix, adhesive, creating better grab,
helping control how the levelling improved non-slip characteristics
compound responds to stress and greater bedding consistency,
from heat, load and the service especially important when working
environment. with large-format or heavier tiles.
‘Across the range, RFT ‘Palace adhesives that feature
brings tangible benefits. The the benefits of RFT include the
incorporation of microfibres S1-classified EASI-FLEX WALL &
and performance fillers delivers FLOOR TILE ADHESIVE, EASI-SET,
increased strength, flexibility and MULTI-FLEX, SUPER-FLEX, which
resistance to cracking. The fibres Flooring Bag Comp has an S2 classification, EXTRA-
create a stable internal matrix, LITE and the recently introduced
distributing load and stress more evenly ‘This product is particularly suited GEL-TEC.’
through the compound. This not only for installation within heated sub-floor Adds Palace: ‘Deformability of the
supports thicker applications but also helps specifications, where its ability to be adhesive mortar will also benefit from
ensure levelling remains consistent across laid to a thick-bed is usually sufficient the presence of RFT fibres, enabling both
various substrates.’ to accommodate most types of wire or S1 and S2 classifications to be achieved,
This enhanced flexibility is particularly pipe-based heating systems. Its fibre- meaning they can absorb an amount of
important in modern flooring reinforced performance also gives the stress movement per square metre.
environments, where surfaces are wet mix enhanced cohesion and reduced ‘These added properties allow them to
increasingly subject to movement, thermal segregation, as fibres help keep the mix handle all foreseeable levels of substrate
variation and vibration. Continues the stable, reducing aggregate settlement movement, thermal expansion and
company: ‘RFT products also contribute to and surface bleeding, which then prevents everyday vibrations without risk of failure.
long-term durability and provide installers surface laitance on the cured floor top.’ Combined with their reinforced polymer
with a greater margin for when site Adds the company: ‘THICK BED FLOOR content, this leads to more resilient
conditions are not always in their favour LEVELLING COMPOUND fast setting and adhesive bond installations and reduces
— essential qualities for achieving reliable, flexible, offering high early strength to take long-term maintenance issues.’
professional results. foot traffic after just three hours. It can ‘Innovation in order to provide our
‘Key products in the range include THICK be laid from 3mm up to 80mm bed depth, customers with more technically
BED REINFORCED FLOOR LEVELLING making it ideal for use with underfloor competent products, which are also
COMPOUND which can be used up to an heating systems. It’s suitable for either easier to use, is a key motivation at Palace
80mm bed depth, through to solutions pump or trowel application and can receive Chemicals,’ says Steve Ball, commercial
where a rapid early strength finish is tiles after just four hours or a vinyl covering director. ‘Our floor levelling and tile
required such as FAST-FLEX, both of which after 24 hours.’ adhesive range, which includes products
have given proven performance when used Says Palace: ‘Sitting alongside THICK BED containing Reinforced Fibre Technology, is a
with a range of under floor heating types. is FAST-FLEX FLOOR LEVELLER. Designed great example of this.’ 
‘These products have the ability to level for versatility and speed, Fast-Flex delivers www.palacechemicals.co.uk

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