ARDEX N 23 Microtec Rapid Set Natural Stone and Tile Mortar

Rapid Set Natural Stone and Tile Mortar

Install moisture-sensitive natural stone, marble, and granite, including mosaics, over plywood, and other interior surfaces without discoloration, efflorescence, or warp.

• Use for setting porcelain, quarry, and ceramic tile, mosaics, ungauged stone, translucent marble, glass and natural stone tile
• Fast setting - grout in two hours
• Ideal for moisture-sensitive natural stone tile
• Self-drying technology - will not contribute to staining, warping or efflorescence
• Outstanding coverage – 103 sq. ft. (9.5 sq. m) per bag with 1/4” sq. notch trowel
• Thin- to medium-bed installation up to 5/8” (15 mm)
• 1-hour pot life
• Use for interior floors and walls
• Extended open time of 30 minutes
• Excellent bond strength and sag resistance
• Available in 40 lb. bags (gray or white)
• Gray - on sale for $44.50
• White - on sale for $49.40

Description and Usage

ARDEX N 23 is a rapid-setting, thin-to-medium-bed mortar that is ideal for interior installations of moisture-sensitive natural stone, marble, granite, porcelain, quarry, and ceramic on horizontal or vertical surfaces. Recommended for all tile sizes, including mosaics, ARDEX N 23 is suitable for use over concrete floors with in-floor heating systems. ARDEX N 23 has proprietary ARDEX self-drying technology to prevent staining, discoloration, warping, and efflorescence. Easy to mix and apply with excellent bond strength and sag resistance, ARDEX N 23 has an open time of up to 30 minutes and 60-minute pot life.

Substrate Preparation

ARDEX N 23 adheres to both dry and damp substrates that are structurally sound, solid, and free from any contaminant that can act as a bond breaker. Plywood substrates must be dry, APA-rated, Type 1 exterior-grade plywood. Refer to ANSI A 108 AN-2 “General Requirements for Subsurfaces” and the Tile Council of North America’s “Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation” for detailed information on surface preparation and guidelines for substrate construction. Wallboards must be dry, sound, and solidly anchored to structural components in the wall. The plane of wall surfaces must be plumb and true. Floor surfaces must have minimal variation in the plane or slope as outlined by the Tile Council of North America.

Should pre-leveling or subfloor repair be required, use ARDEX Liquid BackerBoard® Self-Leveling Underlayment for Interior Wood and Concrete Subfloors, ARDEX AM 100™ Rapid Set Pre-Tile Smoothing and Ramping Mortar, ARDEX TL 1000™ Tile Leveler, Self-Leveling Underlayment, ARDEX TL PATCH® Tile Leveler, Underlayment Patch and Skimcoat or ARDEX EB 2™ Fast Setting Screed Cement, as appropriate. Observe the instructions and dry times in the ARDEX technical brochures.

Per ANSI A 108 AN-3.7, expansion joints must be provided over existing moving joints and moving cracks and where Substrates materials change composition or direction.

Mixing and Application

For one 40 lb. (18 kg) bag of ARDEX N 23, use 6 1/4 - 6 3/4 quarts (6-6.5 liters) of clean water. To mix smaller quantities by hand, use 2.5 parts powder to 1 part water by volume. Pour water into the mixing container first, and then add the ARDEX N 23 while mixing for 2 to 3 minutes. For best results, mix with an ARDEX T-2 Ring Mixing Paddle and 1/2” heavy-duty drill (12 mm, min. 650 rpm). If mixing by hand, use a margin trowel and mix vigorously. Just prior to application on the substrate, the mixture should be stirred again to ensure a creamy, smooth, lump-free consistency.

SI O CLASSIFICATION: 13007 The pot life of ARDEX N 23 is approximately 1 hour at 70°F (21°C). Jobsite conditions and temperature may affect pot life. If the material begins to harden within this time, retemper with a drill and mixing paddle. DO NOT ADD MORE WATER!

Installation should proceed in accordance with ANSI A 108.5. After mixing, apply the mortar to the substrate with the flat side of a trowel to obtain a solid mechanical bond. Apply to an area no greater than that which can be covered with tile while the mortar remains plastic (approx. 30 minutes). Do not set tile or stone into the skinned over mortar. Comb the mortar with a notched trowel of sufficient depth to ensure that the tile or stone is covered uniformly over the entire surface. Follow the recommendations of the Tile Council of North America for proper transfer of ARDEX N 23 from the substrate to the tile or stone. The type and size of the tile or stone will dictate the size of the notched trowel to be used to achieve proper transfer. The position of the tile or stone may be adjusted for up to approximately 15 minutes after installation.

Grouting

Floor and wall tiles can be grouted after 2 hours in accordance with ANSI 108.10 using ARDEX FL™ Rapid Set, Flexible, Sanded Grout, ARDEX FG-C™ Unsanded Floor and Wall Grout or ARDEX WA™ Epoxy Grout and Adhesive, as appropriate.