Mapelastic is a two-component mortar based on cementitious binders, fine-grained selected aggregates, special admixtures and synthetic polymers dispersed in water, blended according to a formula developed in MAPEI’s own research laboratories. When the two components are mixed together, a free-flowing mix is obtained which may be easily applied, even on vertical surfaces, at a thickness of up to 2 mm in one single coat.

Due to the high content and quality of the synthetic resins, the cured layer of Mapelastic remains constantly flexible under all environmental conditions and resistant to the chemical attack of de-icing salts, sulphates, chlorides and carbon dioxide.

Mapelastic has excellent bonding properties to all concrete, masonry, ceramic and marble surfaces, as long as they are sound and sufficiently clean. This property, together with its resistance to the deteriorating effect of UV rays, a characteristic of this product, ensures that structures protected and waterproofed with Mapelastic have a long service life, even if they are located in areas with particularly difficult climatic conditions, in coastal areas with a saline rich atmosphere or industrial areas where the air is particularly polluted.

Mapelastic meets the requirements defined by EN 1504-9 (“Products and systems for the protection and repair of concrete structures - Definitions, requirements, quality control and evaluation of conformity - General principles for the use of products and systems”) and the requirements claimed by EN 1504-2 coating (C) according to the PI, MC and IR principles (“Protection systems for concrete surfaces”).

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• Features & Benefits
• Preparation
• Application
• Limitations

Features & Benefits

• Uses:
  • Waterproofing of concrete basins used for containing water
  • Waterproofing bathrooms, showers, balconies, terraces, swimming pools, etc. before laying ceramic tile finishes
  • Waterproofing of plasterboard, render or cementitious surfaces, lightweight cement blocks and marine-grade plywood
  • Flexible smoothing layer for light-sectioned concrete structures, including those subjected to minor deformation when under load (e.g. pre-cast panels)
  • Protection of renders or concrete with cracks caused by shrinkage, against the infiltration of water and aggressive atmospheric elements
  • Protection, against the penetration of carbon dioxide, of concrete pillars beams, road and railway viaducts repaired with products from the Mapegrout range, and structures with an insufficient layer of concrete covering on the reinforcement rods
  • Protection of concrete surfaces which may come into contact with seawater, de-icing salts, such as sodium or calcium chloride, and sulphates
• Remains flexible at very low temperatures (-20°C)
• 30 years experience and more than 300 million m² of surfaces successfully waterproofed
• CE-certified product in compliance with EN 1504-2 and EN 14891
• Protects the surface of concrete from CO₂ penetration (carbonation) for more than 50 years
• Resistant to UV rays
• 2.5 mm of Mapelastic represents the equivalent of 30 mm of concrete against the aggressive action of chlorides (w/c ratio 0.45)
• May also be applied on existing coverings
• Compatible with ceramic, mosaic and natural stone coverings
• Product certified EC1 R Plus by the GEV Institute (Gemeinschaft Emissions-kontrollierte Verlegewerkstoffe, e.V.) as a product with very low emission of volatile organic compounds

Preparation

Preparation of the Substrate

A) Protection and waterproofing of concrete structures and pre-cast units (e.g. pillars and beams for road and railway viaducts, cooling towers, chimneys, underpasses, retaining walls, applications in coastal areas, basins, canals, faces of dams, columns, balcony fronts):

• The surface to be treated must be sound and perfectly clean
• Remove all cement laitance, flaky parts and traces of powder, grease, oil and form release agents by sand-blasting, or wash down with high-pressure water jets
• If the structure to be waterproofed and protected with Mapelastic is in poor condition, remove the damaged parts by hand or mechanical abrasion or by using a hydro-demolition system or a hydro-scarifier
• The last two techniques, which use high-pressure water, are particularly recommended because the reinforcement rods are not damaged and the structures are not subject to vibration which could cause the onset of small cracks in adjacent concrete
• Once the rust has been completely removed by sandblasting, carry out the repair with a pre-blended mortar from the Mapegrout or Planitop range
• Absorbent surfaces to be treated with Mapelastic must be slightly dampened beforehand with water

B) Waterproofing terraces, balconies and swimming pools:

• Cementitious Screeds:
  • Setting cracks or cracks caused by plastic or hygrometric shrinkage must be filled beforehand with Eporip
  • If thicknesses of up to 30 mm have to be levelled out (to create slopes, fill in dips, etc.) use Planitop Fast 330 or Adesilex P4
• Existing Floors:
  • Existing floors and coverings in ceramic, porcelain tiles, clinker or terracotta, etc. must be well bonded to the substrate and free of substances which could compromise the bonding, such as grease, oil, wax, paint, etc.
  • To remove material that could affect the adhesion of Mapelastic, clean the floor with a mixture of water and 30% caustic soda, then thoroughly rinse the floor with clean water to eliminate all traces of caustic soda
• Renders:
  • cementitious renders must be sufficiently cured (7 days per mm of thickness in good weather conditions), well bonded to the substrate, resistant and free from all dust and paint
  • Dampen absorbent surfaces to be treated beforehand with water

Close Up of the Waterproofing Layer

• In the waterproofing sector, more than in any other sector, it is essential that particular attention is paid to details, which alone are capable of making a difference. This is why it is essential to use products from the Mapeband and Drain lines in combination with Mapelastic
• Mapeband TPE is used to seal structural joints and joints subject to high dynamic stress, Mapeband, Mapeband Easy and Mapeband SA are used to waterproof check joints, fillet joints between horizontal and vertical elements and special kits from the Drain range are used to seal drain holes
• It is imperative that special care is in these critical areas after levelling and cleaning the substrate and before applying the cementitious waterproofing mortar

Preparation of the Mortar

• Pour component B (liquid) into a suitable, clean container, then slowly add component A (powder) while stirring with a mechanical mixer
• Carefully mix Mapelastic for a few minutes, making sure that no powder remains stuck to the sides or the bottom of the container
• Keep stirring until a perfectly homogenous mix is obtained
• Use a low-speed mechanical mixer for this operation to avoid too much air being dragged into the mix
• Do not prepare the mix by hand
• Preparation of Mapelastic may also be carried out with a mortar mixer, which is usually supplied with mortar sprayers
• If this technique is used, make sure that the mix is homogenous and has no lumps before it is poured into the hopper of the pump

Application

Manual Application of the Mortar

• Apply Mapelastic within 60 minutes of mixing
• Skim the prepared surface to a feather edge with a thin layer of Mapelastic with a smooth trowel then, while the first coat is still fresh, apply a second coat to form a final thickness at least 2 mm thick
• When waterproofing terraces, balconies, basins and swimming pools, we recommend embedding Mapenet 150 alkaliresistant reinforcement mesh in the first coat of Mapelastic while it is still wet
• The mesh must also be used in areas with either small cracks or in areas which are under particular stress
• After the mesh has been laid, finish off the surface with a flat trowel and apply a second layer of Mapelastic when the first one has set (after 4-5 hours)
• After applying Mapelastic, wait 5 days for curing before laying ceramic tiles
• In favourable climatic conditions and with good temperatures this period may be reduced to 24 hours on dry substrates

Laying Ceramic Tiles on Mapelastic

• Balconies & Terraces:
  • Bond in place using a C2 class cementitious adhesive such as Keraflex or Keraflex Maxi S1 or, for more rapid setting, a C2F class adhesive such as Granirapid or Ultralite S1 Quick
  • Grout the joints with a CG2 class cementitious product such as Keracolor FF or Keracolor GG mixed with Fugolastic or Ultracolor Plus
  • Seal the movement joints with a special MAPEI elastic sealant (such as Mapeflex PU 45 FT, Mapesil AC or Mapesil LM
• Swimming Pools:
  • Bond ceramic tiles in place using a C2 class cementitious adhesive (Keraflex or Keraflex Maxi S1) or a C2F class rapid adhesive (Granirapid or Ultralite S1 Quick). For mosaic, on the other hand, use Adesilex P10 + Isolastic mixed with 50% water (class C2E/S1)
  • Grout the joints with a CG2 class cementitious product (Keracolor FF/Keracolor GG mixed with Fugolastic or Ultracolor Plus) or with an RG class epoxy product (of the Kerapoxy range of product)
  • Seal the joints with Mapesil AC silicone sealant

Application of the Mortar by Spraying

• After preparing the surface, apply Mapelastic with a spray gun with a lance fitting suitable for use with smoothing mortars, at a minimum thickness not less than 2 mm per layer
• If a thicker layer is required, Mapelastic must be applied in several coats. Successive coats must only be applied when the previous one is dry (after 4-5 hours)
• In areas with small cracks or which are highly stressed, insertion of Mapenet 150 in the first layer of fresh Mapelastic is recommended
• Immediately after laying the mesh, Mapelastic must be smoothed off with a flat trowel
• If the mesh needs to be encapsulated, a further layer of Mapelastic may be applied with a spray gun
• When Mapelastic is used for protecting beams and columns on bridges, railway underpasses and façades on buildings etc., the product may be painted using products from the Elastocolor range, which are acrylic resin-based water dispersions and are available in a wide range of colours which may be obtained using the ColorMap automatic colouring system
• If Mapelastic is used, on the other hand, to protect horizontal surfaces not used for foot traffic such as flat roofs, it may be painted over with Elastocolor Waterproof acrylic resin-based flexible paint in water dispersion. Elastocolor Waterproof is available in a wide range of colours obtained using the ColorMap automatic colouring system and must be applied at least 20 days after applying Mapelastic.

Coverage & Cleaning

• Manual application: approx. 1.7 kg/m² per mm of thickness
• Spray gun application: approx. 2.2 kg/m² per mm of thickness
• NB: the consumption figures indicated are for a seamless film applied on a flat surface and will be higher on uneven surfaces
• Due to the high bonding strength of Mapelastic, even on metals, it is recommended to wash work tools with water before the mortar sets. Once it has set, cleaning may only be carried out by mechanical means

Limitations

• Do not use Mapelastic for thick coatings (more than 2 mm per coat)
• Do not apply Mapelastic at temperatures below +8°C
• Do not add cement, aggregates or water to Mapelastic
• Do not apply on substrates not up to the required standard
• Do not apply on lightweight substrates
• Protect from rain and water spillage for the first 24 hours after application
• Do not apply Mapelastic on unprotected surfaces in swimming pools
• During hot weather, it is advisable to keep the product out of direct sunlight (powder and liquid)
• After application, and in particularly dry, hot or windy weather, it is recommended to protect the surface from rapid evaporation by covering it with sheets