Product Data Sheet

Version 6/12/2013 (Corporate : 30/01/2006)

SikaCeram -250
High Performance, Semi-Flexible, Cementitious Tile Adhesive
for Thin bed Application
Construction

Product SikaCeram-250 is a high performance thin layer, flexible cementitious

Description adhesive, supplied ready to use with the addition of water, for bonding
ceramic tiles.
Uses SikaCeram-250 is a product used for bonding ceramic tiles in continuous
thin layers, up to 5 mm thick. Due to its excellent adhesion and flexibility,
it can be used in situations where traditional tile adhesives for bonding
tiles are not suitable due to the type of tile, the substrate or the specific
job situation or location.
SikaCeram-250 is suitable to bond the following types of tile:
 Ceramic, natural and reconstituted stone tiles
 All type of low and high absorption ceramic tiles
SikaCeram-250 can be used on substrates including:
 Concrete and mortar
 Bricks
 Tiled surfaces (walls and floors)
 Under floor heating
 Interior painted walls - if the paint coating is well bonded and sound
SikaCeram-250 can be used on walls and floors, internally or externally.
Characteristics / CE classified C1T

Advantages Thixotropic effect - Class T

Very good adhesion to most common substrates (concrete, cementitious

mortar, stone, bricks)
Very good adhesion to existing tiles

Easy to use with excellent workability and thixotropic consistency

Tests
Approval / Standards Testing to CE by Istituto Giordano S.p.A., Bellaria, Italy,
SikaCeram-250 grey report No 203170/389/CPD -
SikaCeram-250 white report No 203166/385/CPD
Form
Appearance / Colours Grey and white powder
Packaging 25 kg / bag

SikaCeram-250 1/4

D00606011213E
Storage
Storage Conditions/ 9 months from date of production if stored properly in dry conditions, in
Shelf Life undamaged and unopened, original sealed packaging. Not sensitive to frost.
Technical Data
Chemical Base Cementitious mortar modified with polymers.
Density Fresh mortar density: ~ 1.4 kg/l (at +20C)
Grading Dmax: 0.3 mm (According to EN 12192-1)
Layer Thickness 3 mm min. / 5 mm max.
Mechanical / Physical
Properties
Tensile Adhesion (According to EN 1348:1997)
Strength
Initial 0.5 N/mm2
After water immersion 0.5 N/mm2
After heat ageing 0.5 N/mm2
After freeze-thaw cycles 0.5 N/mm2

(According to EN 1346:1997)
Open Time 0.5 N/mm2 at 20 minutes

Slip 0.5 mm (According to EN 1308:1997)

System
Information
Application Details
Consumption This depends on the level, profile and surface roughness of the substrate, the
size of the tiles and the technique of placing (simple placing or back-buttering).

As a guide, in kilos of powder per m:

Mosaics and small tiles ~ 2 - 3 kg/m2
Normal size tiles (200 x 200) ~ 3 - 4 kg/m
Large size tiles and on external floors ~ 4 - 7 kg/m

Substrate Quality The substrate must be structurally sound, cement laitance free, clean and
free from dirt, oil, grease or other contaminants and loose or friable particles.

SikaCeram-250 2/4
Substrate Preparation/ Weak concrete and/or cement laitance must be removed.
Priming Minor blowholes or irregularities can be repaired using SikaCeram-250.
However, large repairs to the substrate, filling of blowholes / voids etc
must be carried out using appropriate products from the SikaTop or
Sika MonoTop range of materials. Allow a waiting time of 24 to 48 hours
before the tiling works.
All dust, loose and friable material must be completely removed from all
surfaces before application of the product, preferably by brush and/or
vacuum.
If the substrate is very porous, and/or if the temperature is high and the
relative humidity is low, it is advisable to pre-dampen the surface - do not
leave any standing water.
Variations in level must be less than 5 mm, measured with a 2 metre
straight edge. If necessary, the substrate must be levelled prior to
application using a product such as Sikafloor Level.
In refurbishment work on old ceramic tiles:
 Check the ceramic tiles to ensure they are sound
 Remove any tiles that are not adhering properly and re-bond them
 Grind off glazed tiles and then remove all of the dust
 Wash other types of tile with detergent and rinse well with clean water.
If after this washing operation, they remain greasy, repeat and then
grind and remove all dust
Application
Conditions /
Limitations
Substrate Temperature +5C min. / +35C max.
Ambient Temperature +5C min. / +35C max.
Application
Instructions
Mixing For both grey and white colours: ~ 6 to 6.5 l of water per 25 kg bag.
For large tiles and/or in vertical applications, do not exceed 6 l per 25 kg bag.
Mixing Time Mix thoroughly with clean water for a minimum of 3 minutes.
Leave material to stand in container (for a minimum 5 minutes). Then remix
the material for 15 seconds - the product is now ready for use.
Mixing Tools SikaCeram-250 must be mechanically mixed using a forced action mixer
or in a clean container using a drill and mixing paddle (< 500 rpm). A normal
free fall concrete mixer is not suitable.
Application Method / SikaCeram-250 is applied using a notched trowel onto the substrate.
Tools Choose the size of trowel that will give the right thickness on the back of
the tile.
As a guide:
 For mosaics up to 5 x 5 cm, use a 3 mm notched trowel
 For normal ceramic tiles (< 200 x 200), use a 6 mm notched trowel
 For large tiles, use a 9 mm notched trowel
 For tiles larger than 300 x 300 or for stringent requirements (i.e. the tiles
are to be polished, exposed to heavy loads, etc.), a buttering technique
must be used
Apply a uniform layer of SikaCeram-250 by trowel in small areas at the
recommended thickness. Then, immediately, adjust the thickness using a
notched trowel. Finally, place the ceramic tile, pressing it firmly into the
mortar.
Open time is approximately 20 minutes under normal temperature and
humidity conditions. Under unfavourable conditions, the open time might
be shorter. If a surface film has developed, pass a notched trowel through
the applied adhesive.

SikaCeram-250 3/4
 Cleaning of Tools Clean all tools and application equipment with clean water immediately
after use.
Hardened / cured material can only be removed mechanically.
Pot Life ~ 3 hours (at +20C)
Rectification Time Once the tiles are placed into the mortar, they can be adjusted for ~ 20
minutes (at +20C).
Notes on Application / Cementitious substrates must be at least 6 months old.
Limitations Do not exceed the recommended water dosage. Apply only to sound,
prepared substrates. Do not exceed the maximum layer thicknesses.
Protect freshly applied material from freezing conditions and rain etc.
It is not necessary to pre-dampen the tiles.
Do not attempt to dampen the applied adhesive to extend the open time
as this interferes with the bond performance.
Construction

Curing Details
Applied Product At +20C
ready for use
Before jointing works Min. 24 hours
Before opening to light foot traffic Min. 24 hours
Before opening to full traffic Min. 7 days

Health and Safety

Information
protective measures Cement containing material may cause skin irritation. Wear gloves and
goggles or apply barrier cream to hands while working with the mortar.
Important notes Recommendations given in this data sheet are given based on general
experience and may be in conflict with local requirements. Local
restrictions in term of age of substrate, maximum size of the tiles, etc
need always to be followed.
Residues of material must be removed according to local regulations.
Fully cured material can be disposed of as household waste under
agreement with the responsible local authorities.
Detailed health and safety information as well as detailed precautionary
measures e.g. physical, toxicological and ecological data can be
obtained from the material safety data sheet.

The information, and, in particular, the recommendations relating to the application and end-use of Sika products, are given in good faith
based on Sikas current knowledge and experience of the products when properly stored, handled and applied under normal conditions in
accordance with Sikas ecommendations. In practice, the differences in materials, substrates and actual site conditions are such that no
warranty in respect of merchantability or of fitness for a particular purpose, nor any liability arising out of any legal relationship whatsoever,
can be inferred either from this information, or from any written recommendations, or from any other advice offered. The user of the product
must test the products suitability for the intended application and purpose. Sika reserves the right to change the properties of its products.
The proprietary rights of third parties must be observed. All orders are accepted subject to our current terms of sale and delivery. Users must
always refer to the most recent issue of the local Product Data Sheet for the product concerned, copies of which will be supplied on request.

Sika (Thailand) Limited

SikaCeram-250 4/4
Head Office Tel : +66 3821 4270-85
700/37 Moo 5 Amata Nakorn Estate Fax : +66 3821 4286
Bangna-Trad KM.57 Tambol Klong Tamhru E-mail : sikathai@th.sika.com
Muang District Chonburi Thailand 20000 www.sika.co.th