C1/C2 Tile Adhesive Classification: Detailed Explanation of Different Strength Grades’ Requirements for Redispersible Polymer Powder
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- Olympic Sports Middle Road, Jinan, Shandong, China
Tegellijm is an indispensable material in modern architectural decoration projects, and herdispergeerbaar polymeerpoeder, as the core additive of tile adhesive, directly affects the final performance of the product. According to the JC/T 547-2017 standard “Ceramic Tile Adhesives,” tile adhesives are classified into C1 (standard type) and C2 (enhanced type) grades. Different grades have significantly different requirements for redispersible polymer powder. This article will deeply analyze the classification standards for C1 and C2 tile adhesives, as well as the specific index requirements for redispersible polymer powder under different strength grades.
C1 grade tile adhesive is suitable for laying ceramic tiles with high water absorption and small-size porcelain tiles, mainly applied in indoor walls, dry areas, and other conventional scenarios.
Core Performance Indicators: The tensile bonding strength requirement for C1 grade tile adhesive is ≥0.5 MPa, and it must pass tests for bonding strength after water immersion, heat aging, and freeze-thaw cycles, with all indicators not less than 0.5 MPa. In addition, the tensile bonding strength after a 20-minute open time also needs to reach ≥0.5 MPa.
Application Limitations: C1 grade tile adhesive is not recommended for laying tiles larger than 30×30 cm, nor is it suitable for underfloor heating systems, high-humidity areas, outdoor environments, and other working conditions that require higher bonding strength.
C2 grade tile adhesive is suitable for various ceramic and porcelain tiles, including large-format tiles, low-water-absorption polished tiles, as well as old tile renovation, underfloor heating systems, outdoor environments, and other demanding working conditions.
Core Performance Indicators: The tensile bonding strength requirement for C2 grade tile adhesive is ≥1.0 MPa, twice that of C1 grade. The bonding strength after water immersion, heat aging, and freeze-thaw cycles also needs to reach ≥1.0 MPa, while the tensile bonding strength after a 20-minute open time is required to be ≥0.5 MPa.
Extended Applications: C2 grade tile adhesive can be further subdivided according to special performance requirements, such as S (high flexibility), S1 (flexible), S2 (high flexibility), T (anti-slip), E (extended open time), F (fast setting), and other characteristic combinations.
Redispersible polymer powder plays an irreplaceable role in tile adhesive. When the tile adhesive is mixed with water, the polymer powder redisperses to form an emulsion. As the water evaporates and the cement hydrates, the polymer particles gradually fuse to form a continuous polymer film, filling the micropores in the cement matrix.
This polymer film endows the tile adhesive with the following key properties: enhanced interfacial bonding strength between the tile and the substrate; reduced brittleness of the hardened body, improved flexibility and deformation resistance; improved water resistance, reducing moisture penetration; and optimized workability and plasticity during application.
It is precisely due to the significant difference in bonding strength indicators between C1 and C2 grades that the two grades form a distinct technical gradient in their requirements for redispersible polymer powder.
C1 grade formulations require the polymer powder to meet the following basic indicators:
Uiterlijk: White to light yellow powder, no agglomeration, no impurities
Non-volatile content: ≥98.0%
Bulkdichtheid: 300-600 g/L
pH value: 5.0-9.0
Ash content/ignition residue: ≤13.0%
Glass transition temperature (Tg) : Must match the formulation system; conventional products have higher Tg values (more rigid) to provide basic bonding strength
Studies have shown that redispersible polymer powder mainly affects the tensile bonding strength, tensile bonding strength after 20-minute open time, and bonding strength after heat aging of C1 grade tile adhesive. By selecting polymer powder that meets the standards, C1 grade products can stably achieve the bonding strength requirement of ≥0.5 MPa.
In C1 grade formulations, redispersible polymer powder needs to work synergistically with ordinary Portland cement, graded fine sand, cellulose-ether, and other components, compensating for the brittleness of hardened cement through the formation of a polymer film.
The addition amount of redispersible polymer powder in C2 grade tile adhesive is significantly higher, typically controlled at 3%-5% or more, approximately 25 kg per ton of product. The increased dosage is to meet the higher bonding strength (≥1.0 MPa), higher flexibility, and more complex environmental adaptability requirements of C2 grade products.
C2 grade formulations have stricter requirements for polymer powder indicators, especially when the product needs to simultaneously meet S (flexible) or S1/S2 (high flexibility) characteristics:
Minimum Film Forming Temperature (MFFT) : For flexible formulations, products with lower MFFT (e.g., 1-5°C) should be selected to ensure continuous polymer film formation even at lower temperatures, providing sufficient flexibility
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg) : C2-S grade formulations require flexible polymer powder with lower Tg values to ensure sufficient deformation capacity and flexibility; while C2 standard grade can use rigid polymer powder with higher Tg values to ensure high strength
Ash content: High-quality polymer powder should have ash content controlled below 13-15%; high ash content means higher inorganic filler content, with relatively less effective polymer content
Tensile strength and elongation at break: The polymer powder itself should have tensile strength ≥5.0 MPa and elongation at break ≥300% to ensure mechanical properties after film formation
Original tensile bonding strength ratio: ≥140%
Water-resistant tensile bonding strength ratio: ≥120%
In C2 grade formulations, redispersible polymer powder not only needs to provide basic bonding strength but also work synergistically with superplasticizers to improve workability, and with cellulose ethers to enhance water retention, ensuring that large-format tiles do not slip during installation.
For C2S1/S2 flexible grade products, the polymer film from the polymer powder needs to have sufficient deformation capacity to compensate for substrate deformation and thermal expansion stresses, preventing tile cracking or delamination.
In addition to the C1/C2 grade differentiation, the JC/T 547-2017 standard also defines special performance requirements such as T (anti-slip), E (extended open time), and F (fast setting). Products meeting these characteristics also have corresponding requirements for redispersible polymer powder:
T grade (anti-slip) : Requires a thickening and water-retaining system; the rheological properties of the polymer powder must match the formulation and not affect the system’s thixotropy
E grade (extended open time) : Polymer powder with neutral rheological properties that have less impact on open time can be selected
S grade (flexible) : Flexible polymer powder with low Tg values must be selected to ensure long-term durability under dynamic loads and underfloor heating systems
The grade differentiation between C1 and C2 tile adhesives directly determines the selection criteria for redispersible polymer powder. C1 grade products are cost-oriented, with polymer powder dosage of 1-3%, mainly meeting the basic bonding strength requirement of ≥0.5 MPa. C2 grade products are performance-oriented, with polymer powder dosage of 3-5% or more, needing to meet the bonding strength requirement of ≥1.0 MPa, with higher requirements for Tg value, MFFT, tensile strength, and elongation at break of the polymer powder.
In actual formulation design, it is recommended to comprehensively evaluate the physical property indicators of the polymer powder based on the target product grade, application scenarios, and cost budget, and determine the optimal dosage and model through experimental verification. TENESSIE is committed to providing customers with high-quality redispersible polymer powder products to meet the formulation requirements of C1, C2, and various special-performance tile adhesives.
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