For internal wall tiling in wet areas, kitchens, and bathrooms, ARDEX D2 provides the high-grab polymer grip required to hold heavy wall tiles in place. This pre-mixed dispersion adhesive is formulated to prevent sagging, allowing tilers to hang large, non-porous tiles on vertical substrates without slippage.
ARDEX D2 functions as a ready-to-use, high-shear wall adhesive that eliminates the need for on-site mixing. Tested to ISO 13007 and classified as a D2 TE adhesive, it combines high tensile adhesion strength with an extended open time and slip resistance. The non-slump polymer formulation grips vitrified, ceramic, porcelain, mosaic, and non-moisture-sensitive natural stone tiles directly against vertical surfaces. It maintains its adhesion strength in wet areas, making it suitable for shower walls and domestic bathrooms when applied over prepared underlayments or waterproofing membranes.
ARDEX D2 is suitable for internal wall installations over the following substrates:
Substrates must be clean, dry, firm, and free of dust, oil, grease, curing compounds, and surface laitance. All substrates must be allowed to complete their standard curing and drying windows as specified in AS 3958 prior to tiling.
Plasterboard: Paper-facing does not require priming. Where sheets are joined, ARDEX Multiprime must be applied over the base jointing compound. Do not use topping compound in areas designated for tiling.
Fibre Cement Sheets: Remove surface dust with a damp sponge. Prime the surface with ARDEX Multiprime (priming is not required when fixing fully vitrified tiles) and allow to dry before applying adhesive.
Concrete: Allow concrete to cure for at least 4 weeks. Mechanical roughening is required for steel-trowelled concrete, smooth surfaces, or dense concrete rated between 35MPa and 50MPa to remove laitance and establish a mechanical key.
Cement Render: Finish with a wood float and cure for at least 7 days before tiling. Prime the surface with ARDEX Multiprime.
Painted Surfaces: Mechanically roughen oil-based paints and remove any loose or flaking paint. Water-based paints must be thoroughly removed. Do not use paint strippers or solvents.
Fixing: Apply the adhesive using an appropriate notched trowel selected according to AS 3958 Table 5.6.2.2. Press tiles firmly into the freshly combed bed and slide them at right angles to the notch pattern to ensure complete coverage. For tiles with ribbed or keyed back profiles, butter the backs of the tiles to fill all voids. Periodically lift a tile to confirm there are no air voids beneath. Remove any excess adhesive from the tile face and joints before the product sets.
Yes, ARDEX D2 offers superior non-slump capability, specifically designed to hold large non-porous tiles on walls. This prevents tile movement during the setting process, ensuring a secure finish.
ARDEX D2 is approved for use in interior wet areas. It maintains its adhesion strength, making it a reliable choice for tiling bathroom walls and other interior wet spaces.
No, ARDEX D2 is not recommended for use on floors or in continuous immersion applications such as swimming pools. It is formulated specifically for wall tiling applications.
No, ARDEX D2 is a premixed dispersion adhesive, ready to use directly from the bag. This eliminates the need for on-site mixing, saving time and ensuring consistent product quality.
Grouting can proceed once the tile bed is sufficiently firm, typically 24 hours after fixing at 23°C and 50% relative humidity. Allow longer for dense tiles, humid conditions, or lower temperatures.
| Application | Key benefit | Primary trades |
|---|---|---|
| Internal wall tiling with large format tiles | Superior non-slump properties securely hold heavy, non-porous tiles up to 3mm bed thickness, preventing movement and ensuring level finishes. | Tilers, Builders |
| Wet area wall tiling (e.g., bathrooms) | Approved for use in interior wet areas, maintaining strong adhesion without compromise. Provides reliability where moisture is present. | Tilers, Waterproofers |
| Tiling over ARDEX waterproofing membranes | Compatible with ARDEX Undertile liquid applied waterproofing membranes for integrated system performance on internal walls. | Tilers, Waterproofers |
| General internal ceramic and porcelain wall tiling | Excellent workability with a smooth, low-odour consistency and 45-minute open time for efficient installation of various tile types. | Tilers, Renovators |
Ensure your substrate is strong enough to support the tile weight and is prepared in line with AS 3958. Surfaces must be clean, firm, dry, and free of dust, grease, and any barrier materials. Prime where necessary.
Select a notched trowel appropriate for the tile size to achieve a final bed thickness of 3mm or less. Spread only enough adhesive that can be tiled within the 45-minute open time.
Comb the adhesive in a single direction. Press tiles firmly into the adhesive bed and slide them at a right angle to the notches to ensure full coverage and eliminate voids.
Periodically lift a tile to confirm the back is completely covered with adhesive. Clean any excess adhesive from the tile face and joints before it sets.
Danger: Causes skin irritation. May cause an allergic skin reaction. Causes serious eye damage. May cause respiratory irritation.
Wear chemical protective gloves (e.g., PVC, Butyl rubber, Nitrile rubber), overalls, safety footwear or gumboots, and a PVC apron. For eye protection, use safety glasses with side shields or chemical goggles.
Use only outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Avoid breathing mist, vapours, or spray. Ensure adequate ventilation during mixing and application, especially in confined spaces.
Store locked up in original, securely sealed containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from incompatible materials and foodstuff. Protect containers from physical damage. Shelf life is 12 months in unopened packaging at 25°C and 50% relative humidity. Dispose of contents and container at an authorised hazardous or special waste collection point in accordance with local regulations.
Proper substrate preparation is critical for adhesion and prevents common failures. This guide covers specific requirements for common wall surfaces.
Surface prep: Allow new concrete to cure for at least 4 weeks to account for drying shrinkage. Mechanically remove surface laitance, sealers, curing compounds, and any other barrier materials. Roughen steel trowel finished or dense concrete (35MPa to 50MPa) to provide a mechanical key.
Primer: Not required for prepared concrete.
Surface prep: New renders require a wood float finish and at least 7 days to cure before tiling. Ensure screeds are pitched to drains where necessary.
Primer: Required. Prime render with ARDEX Multiprime before tiling.
Surface prep: Ensure surfaces are clean, firm, and dry. No priming is needed for the paper facing surface.
Primer: Required for joints. Prime over the base jointing compound with ARDEX Multiprime. Do not use topping compound in tiled areas.
Surface prep: Remove surface dust with a damp sponge. Ensure the surface is dry before applying adhesive.
Primer: Optional. Prime with ARDEX Multiprime before tiling, unless fixing fully vitrified tiles.
Surface prep: Mechanically roughen oil-based paint and remove any loose, flaking paint. Thoroughly remove water-based paints. Do not use paint stripper or solvents. Allow the surface to dry completely after cleaning.
Primer: Not required if paint is prepared and suitable for tiling.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Colour | WHITE |
| Mixing Ratio | Premix |
| Adjustment Time at 23°C and 50% RH | 20 mins |
| Sagging | None |
| Underfloor Heating Suitability | Yes |
| Tensile Adhesion Strength after 28 Days Dry | ≥ 2.0 MPa |
| Tensile Adhesion Strength Water Immersion | ≥ 0.7 MPa |
| Tensile Adhesion Strength Heat | ≥ 2.5 MPa |
| Tensile Adhesion Strength Elevated Temperatures | ≥ 2.5 MPa |
| Tensile Adhesion Strength Extended Open Time | ≥ 1.0 MPa |
| Classification | D2 TE |
| pH (as supplied) | 8-9 |
| Relative Density (Water = 1) | ~1.5 |
| Open Time | Approximately 45 minutes |
| Grouting Time | 24 hours at 23°C and 50% RH |
| Coverage | 9 - 11 m² per 20kg bag (on walls) |
| Shelf Life | 12 months |
Here are some common examples on where Ardex D 2 Tile Adhesive used by our customers.
