Planicrete is a highly stable water dispersion of a special synthetic elastomer resistant to alkaline saponification, characterised by its low glass transition temperature. This special SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) based elastomer also has a special property which makes it stable after ageing. The polymer chains forming this elastomer are characterised by a tight weave of chemical binders which connect them together. This important characteristic enables the polymer chains to take up a parallel conformation when they are deformed, thus giving the elastomer a high level of elasticity.

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• Features & Benefits
• Recommendations
• Application
• Application Photos
• Precautions To Be Taken After The Application Of Planicrete
• Cleaning
• Dosage And Coverage Table
• Technical Data

Features & Benefits

• Planicrete is supplied in the form of a highly fluid, white coloured latex which, when added to cement and aggregate mixes, improves their adhesion, plasticity, thixotropy, water retention and overall workability. After setting and hardening, cementitious mixes with added Planicrete have the following properties:
• Better adhesion to substrates
• Higher compressive and flexural strengths
• Higher resistance to abrasion
• Higher impermeability
• Better resistance to freeze-thaw cycles
• Better resistance to diluted acids, saline solutions and oils
• High strength cement screeds for interior and exterior use
• Cementitious bonding slurry for installing natural stone using the Mapestone system
• High strength cement renders for interiors and exteriors
• Cementitious bonding slurry to improve adhesion of conventional bonded screeds and screeds made from Mapecem Pronto or Topcem Pronto
• Bonding slurry made from Mapecem or Topcem to improve adhesion of bonded screeds made from the same types of binder
• Adhesive shotcretes for bonding renders
• Cement mortars for filling holes, reconstructing damaged areas and finishing surfaces on buildings and precast concrete elements
• Cementitious mortar for finishing off surfaces subjected to high levels of abrasion (industrial floors, ramps, channels) and for integrating small areas of worn floors

Recommendations

• Do not use pure Planicrete as a primer or a slurry: always mix it with Portland cement or, if necessary, with Mapecem or Topcem
• Do not use mixes containing Planicrete if the ambient temperature is lower than +5°C or higher than 40°C
• After application in very warm or windy conditions, protect the surfaces from excessively fast drying
• The use of Planicrete in mortar and concrete nevertheless requires strict observance of all the measures taken to ensure a job well done, especially the use of aggregates with particle sizes suitable for the thickness to be applied, the w/c ratio
• If the mixes with Planicrete are prepared in a concrete mixer, never mix for more than 3 minutes, to avoid any excessive air entrainment

Application

Preparation of the substrate

The surfaces on which screeds, render and smoothing layers modified with Planicrete are to be laid must be solid, compact and clean.

Crumbling and loose parts, dust, concrete crusts, traces of oil or form-release agents and paint must be removed by careful sandblasting, brushing or pressure washing with water.

The substrate must then be thoroughly wetted but no excess water should be left on the surface as it may affect adhesion.

Bonding screeds from 10 to 35 mm

Planicrete can be used as an admixture for the preparation of bonding interior and exterior screeds with special adhesion and resistance.

Recommended mixing ratio:

The aggregate blend must have a diameter appropriate to the screed thickness: a maximum diameter, therefore, of 1/3-1/4 of the thickness of the screed with a limit of 8 mm.

N.B. Before laying, apply a Planicrete and cement slurry to ensure perfect adhesion to the existing cement surface. Do not wait for the slurry to dry: cast fresh screed on to fresh slurry.

Floating screeds

(minimum thickness 35 mm)

In this case, it is advisable to dilute Planicrete 1:4 with water and to use a slightly smaller proportion of cement. Recommended mixing ratio:

The curing time for these screeds is at least two weeks in normal temperature and humidity conditions.

N.B. This mix can also be used for conventional ceramic-tile laying, if necessary adapting the aggregate particle size to the required thickness.

Preparation of render

Planicrete may also be used as an admixture for internal and external cementitious-based render. Apart from improving the mortar’s thixotropy and impermeability to water, adding Planicrete to the mix also improves its adhesion to substrates and resistance to atmospheric agents.

The recommended mix is as follows:

• Planicrete 1 kg
• Water 4 kg
• Cement 5.5 kg
• Aggregates (0-3 mm) 20 kg

We recommend applying a scratch-coat layer with the following mix before rendering to even out the absorbency of the substrate and improve adhesion of the mortar:

• Planicrete 1 kg
• Water 1 kg
• Cement 3.5 kg
• Aggregates (0-2 mm) 3.5 kg

If ready-mixed rendering mortar is preferred, use Nivoplan ready-mixed, white or grey levelling mortar made from cement, selected aggregates and special synthetic resin, applied in layers 2 cm thick. In this case, mix Nivoplan with Planicrete diluted at a rate of 1:5 with water.

Preparation of mortar for filling cavities

Planicrete may be used to great advantage as an admixture when making filler mortar. This product gives the mortar excellent thixotropy which makes it easier to apply on walls and ceilings. Adding Planicrete also improves the mortar’s adhesion and performance characteristics.

The recommended mix for this type of application is as follows:

• Planicrete 1 kg
• Water 2.5 kg
• Cement 8 kg
• Aggregates (0-3 mm) 16-24 kg

Bonding slurries

Planicrete is particularly suitable for making bonding slurries to be applied before screeds and plasters on to existing cement surfaces.

N.B. Planicrete-based slurry is also suitable as a slurry for laying Mapecem Pronto or Topcem Pronto bonding screeds.

Recommended mixing ratio:

• Planicrete 1 kg
• Water 1 kg
• Cement 4 kg

In the case of screeds in Mapecem or Topcem apply the doses in the following table:

Mixing

Dilute Planicrete with water in a suitable container in the ratio recommended for the specific application, pour the solution into the concrete mixer and add the cement and aggregates, preferably already mixed or partially mixed so as to avoid lumps, which are difficult to disperse.

Mix for 2-3 minutes until the mix is smooth and even but do not over-mix.

The setting time for mixes containing Planicrete as an admix does not differ significantly from normal mixes. Workability is usually slightly longer.

Application Photos

Precautions To Be Taken After The Application Of Planicrete

After application, especially in very warm or windy weather conditions, mortars made with Planicrete as an admix must be cured carefully to avoid fast water evaporation, which could cause surface cracks due to plastic shrinkage. Spray water on to the surface during the first hours of curing or protect it with suitable sheeting.

Cleaning

Tools used for mixing and applying slurries or mortars made with Planicrete as an admix can be cleaned with water before setting begins.

After hardening, they can only be cleaned by mechanical means.

Dosage And Coverage Table

N.B.: The dilution ratios of Planicrete with water are for dry aggregates. Should the aggregates be damp or wet, the dilution proportions of Planicrete should be decreased.

Technical Data