SikaCeram-188 KH C2TE Cementitious Tile Adhesive 20kg

SikaCeram-188 KH C2TE Cementitious Tile Adhesive 20kg

A high-performance, thin-layer cementitious tile adhesive supplied as a grey powder, ready to mix with water. Its thixotropic consistency, slip resistance and extended open time help position ceramic, porcelain and mosaic tiles on interior and exterior walls and floors.

Product Features

• C2TE classification: improved adhesion, slip resistance and extended open time.
• Easy mixing with water and excellent workability.
• Resists sagging and tile slip on vertical surfaces, including heavy-tile applications within the specified limits.
• Very good adhesion to common construction substrates and existing tiles.
• Suitable for tile-on-tile refurbishment systems and underfloor heating applications.
• Compatible with Sikalastic-1 K, SikaTop Seal-107 and SikaTop Seal-109.

Specifications

• Brand: Sika
• Model: SikaCeram-188 KH
• Type: Cementitious tile adhesive
• Classification: C2TE in compliance with EN 12004
• Packaging: 20kg bag
• Colour: Grey powder
• Mixing water: 4.8L per 20kg bag
• Listed layer thickness: 3–10mm
• Fresh mortar density: Approximately 1.70 kg/L at +25°C
• Maximum grain size: 0.4mm
• Shelf life: 6 months from production
• Storage: Dry conditions in undamaged, unopened original sealed packaging; manufacturer states it is not sensitive to frost.

Application

• Bonding ceramic, porcelain, homogeneous and mosaic tiles, including low- and high-absorption tiles.
• Interior and exterior walls and floors.
• Concrete, mortar, bricks and existing tiled walls and floors.
• Interior painted walls only where the coating is sound and well bonded.
• Large-format tiles and underfloor heating applications, subject to system and tile-size limits.

Sika's guide for absorbent tiles gives maximum areas of 10,000cm² for indoor floors, 3,600cm² for indoor walls and outdoor paving, and 2,100cm² for façades without mechanical clamps. Confirm suitability for the actual tile, substrate and exposure before installation.

How to Use

1. Prepare the substrate appropriately for the tile and project. Measure 4.8L of clean water per 20kg bag.
2. Mechanically mix for at least 3 minutes with a forced-action mixer or a drill and paddle below 500 rpm. Do not use a normal free-fall concrete mixer.
3. Allow the mix to stand for at least 5 minutes, then remix for 15 seconds.
4. Apply using a suitable notched trowel, working on approximately 1m² at a time to reduce the risk of skinning before tiles are laid.
5. Check that the adhesive has not skinned. If a surface film develops, rework with the notched trowel within the open time before placing tiles.
6. Bed tiles using the Tarver Method: press, slide perpendicular and return. Ensure full adhesive coverage without voids. Back-butter tiles with lugs, grooves or uneven backs where necessary.
7. Tiles can be adjusted for approximately 30 minutes at +20°C. Do not disturb completed tiling for at least 6–8 hours at +20°C.
8. At +25°C, wait at least 24 hours before grouting or light foot traffic, and at least 7 days before full traffic.
9. Clean tools immediately with water. Hardened or cured material requires mechanical removal.

What's in the Box

One 20kg bag of SikaCeram-188 KH grey cementitious tile adhesive. Mixing equipment, trowels, tiles and grout are not listed as included.

Technical Information

• Tensile adhesion strength: at least 1.0 N/mm² under standard conditions, after heat ageing and after water immersion, BS EN 1348:2007.
• Slip resistance: ≤0.5mm, EN 1308:1999.
• Open-time performance: adhesion ≥0.5 N/mm² at 30 minutes and +23°C, BS EN 1346:1997. Direct sun, high temperature and strong wind can shorten open time.
• Application air and substrate temperatures: +5°C to +40°C.
• Consumption on flat surfaces: approximately 2.0–4.5 kg/m² for mosaics and small tiles; 4.5–9.0 kg/m² for 20 × 20cm tiles; 9.0–13.5 kg/m² for large tiles within the manufacturer's stated limits.
• Consumption depends on substrate level, profile and roughness, tile size, and whether back-buttering is used. Carry out site trials to determine actual coverage.
• The reference lists a general layer thickness of 3–10mm, while its application text states final minimum beds of 1mm for walls and 3mm for floors. Confirm the intended wall-bed thickness with Sika before using a layer below 3mm.

Certificates

Sika classifies SikaCeram-188 KH as C2TE in compliance with EN 12004: cementitious adhesive (C), improved adhesion (2), slip resistance (T) and extended open time (E).