MAPEI MAPECEM Setting Screed Mortar User Guide

: September 3, 2024
: Mapei

Table of Contents

MAPEI MAPECEM Setting Screed Mortar
Product Usage Instructions
FAQ
WHERE TO USE
TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS
RECOMMENDATIONS
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Unbonded screeds
Floating screeds
Bonded screeds
MEASURING MOISTURE CONTENT
CONSUMPTION
STORAGE
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
LEGAL NOTICE
Documents / Resources

MAPEI MAPECEM Setting Screed Mortar

Specifications

Product Name: MAPECEM
Type: Fast setting and drying hydraulic binder
Usage: Shrinkage-compensated screeds
Drying Time: 24 hours (residual moisture less than 2% by weight)
Recommended Applications: Resilient, textile, timber, ceramic, or stone floorings

Product Usage Instructions

Preparing the Substrate

For unbonded or floating applications, isolate the substrate with a sheet of polyethylene. For bonded screeds, ensure the substrate is dry, crack-free, and free from dust or loose materials.

Unbonded Screeds (35 – 70 mm thick)

Preparing the Mix: Mix Mapecem with water and grade aggregates quickly for 3-4 minutes. Spread and level the mix within 30 minutes after mixing.
Spreading the Mix: Place the mix on the substrate, ensuring proper water quantity for cohesion. Use a polyethylene sheet to prevent rising dampness.

Floating Screeds (35 – 70 mm thick

Follow the same mix preparation and spreading instructions as for unbonded screeds.

Bonded Screeds (10 to 70 mm thick

Apply Planicrete SP bonding slurry on a clean substrate before following the mix preparation and spreading steps.

FAQ

Q: Can Mapecem be used for screeds that require floorings to be installed within 24 hours?

A: Yes, Mapecem is ideal for such applications due to its fast setting and drying properties.

Q: What should be done if work is interrupted for more than 1 hour during application?

A: Cut the screed perpendicularly, insert rod pieces into the edge, and prepare a suitable bonding slurry to guarantee perfect bonding and avoid cracks.

WHERE TO USE

Preparation of both floating and bonded screeds on existing and new slabs for the installation of wood, PVC, linoleum, ceramic tiles, carpeting, or any other flooring where fast-drying is required for minimum downtime.

Some application examples

Preparation of screeds set to light foot traffic after 2-3 hours and perfectly dry after 24 hours, for the installation of parquet and resilient flooring.
Preparation of screeds ready to receive ceramic tiles and natural stone after only 3-4 hours.
Patching and repairing screeds in areas subject to continuous traffic (supermarkets, hospitals, airports, etc.).
Preparation of screeds incorporating underfloor heating systems.

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Mapecem is a special hydraulic binder, which, when mixed with dry, clean-graded aggregates and water, has the extraordinary capacity to harden in just a few hours and to dry perfectly regardless of thickness within 24 hours (residual moisture less than 2% by weight).
Because of these characteristics and the very high mechanical strength, Mapecem is the ideal binder for screeds onto which resilient, textile, timber, ceramic, or stone flooring must be installed within 24 hours only.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Waterproof with a Mapei waterproofing membrane after 4 hours.
For ceramic or stone installations, in the case of rising dampness, provide a suitable waterproofing membrane
For resilient installations, relative humidity and pH level readings must be carried out on the concrete substrate by AS 1884.
If required, a moisture vapor barrier (such as Primer MF or Mapeproof 1K Turbo) should be applied above the screed.
Do not use Mapecem mixed with other cement, lime, gypsum, etc.
Do not leave Mapecem dry-mixed with aggregates (quickly add the right quantity of water and use immediately).
Do not mixMapecem only with fine sand (use aggregates graded from 0 to 8 mm.
Do not mixMapecem with an insufficient quantity of water (this will cause partial hydration and compromise its mechanical strength).
It is recommended to incorporate saw cuts to one-third of the depth of the screed thickness when installing large bay sizes.
Do not leave Mapecem mix in the mixer for more than 3-4 minutes.
Do not mixMapecem with an excessive quantity of water (drying time will be lengthened).
Since Mapecem screeds are very compact, absorption of the water contained in water dispersion adhesives is slow: it is therefore recommended to use Ultrabond P990 1K polyurethane adhesive for installing timber floors that are particularly sensitive to moisture.
Do not add water to a prepared mix and do not remixMapecem after it has started to set.
Do not wet the surface of a screed laid with Mapecem.
Do not mix in batching plants and do not transport themixture by cement mixer truck: the setting time of Mapecem is too short

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Preparing the substrate

For an unbonded or floating application, all substrates are suitable for receiving a Mapecem screed. Isolate the substrate with a sheet of polyethylene or similar material.
For bonded screeds, the substrate must be dry, free from cracks, resistant to compressive and tensile strength, and free from dust, loose materials, paints, wax, oil, and traces of gypsum. Existing joints in the substrate must be carried through the screed.

Unbonded screeds

(35 – 70 mm thick)

Preparing the mix

Mapecem must be mixed carefully and quickly, with water and graded aggregates 0-8 mm in diameter, for a maximum of 3-4 minutes, in a mixer or batcher.
The mix must be spread and leveled in the shortest time possible and not more than 30 minutes after mixing.
Special care must be taken with the quantity of water that must be enough to form a cohesive mass so that tamping gives a flat surface without a cement film.

Mapecem aggregates and water can be mixed:

in a drum mixer
in an ordinary concrete mixer
in a screw mixer
manually, with a shovel.
The Mapecem mix can be placed using an automatic pressure pump.
In any case it is absolutely necessary to strictly follow the instructions regarding the dosage and mixing time.

Spreading the mix

The Mapecem mix is placed onto a substrate like any ordinary concrete. A polyethylene sheet must be laid (even over a bituminous membrane or other existing waterproofing substrate) to create an easily flowing layer between the Mapecem screed and the already existing substrate and at the same time to prevent any rising dampness.
On compressible substrates, areas with piping, or for thicknesses that exceed 60 mm, incorporate galvanized metal reinforcement by AS 3958.1.
Mapecem screeds are prepared using the same methods as those for ordinary cement screeds: preparing leveling strips, spreading the mix accurately compacting it, and then tamping to obtain a better surface finish.
Around the perimeter of the area and the columns etc., it is recommended to insert a 1 cm thick anti-fracture material (such as felt board, cork, polystyrene, etc.).
If work is interrupted for more than 1 hour, it is necessary to cut the screed perpendicularly and insert pieces of rod (20-30 cm long and 3-6 mm in diameter) into the edge of the screed.
They should be inserted 20-30 cm apart to guarantee perfect bonding and to avoid cracks and differing levels and prepare a suitable bonding slurry.

Floating screeds

(35 – 70 mm thick)

The screed mix is prepared and applied in the same way as an unbonded screed. The difference is that floating screeds include insulation or heating systems.
The insulation should have a high resistance to compression and not depress more than 3 mm under the anticipated final load.
Where underfloor heating pipes are incorporated, they should be located a minimum of 25 mm below the surface of the screen. Additionally reinforcing mesh should be placed over the pipes.
The underfloor heating may be commissioned after 4 days.

Bonded screeds

(10 to 70 mm thick)

Preparing the mix, proportions, and spreading the mix are the same as for floating screeds, but first, it is necessary to apply a Planicrete SP bonding slurry onto the perfectly clean substrate.

Dosage of the bonding slurry

Planicrete SP: 1 part by weight
Mapecem: 1 part by weight
In order to ensure bonding, the slurry must be applied onto the surface at a thickness of 2-3 mm that needs to be covered just before the Mapecem screed is installed (fresh on fresh technique).
For bonded screeds above 50 mm thick, it is recommended to incorporate galvanized mesh reinforcement under AS 3958.1.

MEASURING MOISTURE CONTENT

Electronic hygrometers supply only indicative values for measuring moisture. The residual moisture level of Mapecem screeds must be measured with a carbide hygrometer, which provides absolute values of moisture by weight

Cleaning

Tools are cleaned with plenty of water.

CONSUMPTION

Consumption varies depending on the thickness of the screed and the amount of Mapecem.
For 350-450 kg of Mapecem per m³ of aggregates, consumption is 3.5-4.5 kg/m² per cm of thickness.

PACKAGING

20 kg bags.

STORAGE

12 months in a dry place in the original packing. However, in time, setting time could be slower without altering the final performances

TECHNICAL DATA (typical values)

Before using refer to the “Safety instructions for preparation and application” paragraph and the information on the packaging and Safety Data Sheet

APPLICATION DATA (at +23°C – 50% R.H.)
Recommended mixing ratio:| 350-450 kg of Mapecem with 1 m³ aggregate (from 0 to 8 mm diameter) and 80-160 kg of water, depending on the moisture in the aggregates.
The density of the mix (kg/m³):| 2,200-2,250
Duration of mixing:| 3-4 minutes
Open time of mix:| 20-30 minutes
Application temperature range:| from +5°C to +35°C
Set to light foot traffic:| 2-3 hours
Ready for use:| 24 hours
Ready for leveling:| after 4 hours
Waiting time before installation:| 3 hours for ceramic tiles and stone material 24 hours for resilient coverings and wood
Residual moisture after 24 hours (%):| < 2
FINAL PERFORMANCES
Resistance to acids:| fair
---|---
Resistance to alkali:| excellent
Resistance to oils:| excellent
Resistance to solvents:| excellent
Temperature when in use:| from –30°C to +90°C
Mechanical strength:| see tables and graphs
Mechanical strength of Mapecem with 0-8 mm sand

Proportion of Mapecem| Flexural strength (N/mm²)| Compressive strength (N/mm²)| Residual moisture (%)
| 24 h| 3 gg| 28 gg| 24 h| 3 gg| 28 gg| 24 h| 3 gg| 28 gg
350 kg/(m³ sand)| 5.4| 6.7| 7.0| 33.0| 42| 47| 2| 1.6| 1.5
400 kg/(m³ sand)| 5.6| 7.0| 7.5| 40.5| 47| 53| 1.8| 1.3| 1.2
450 kg/(m³ sand)| 6.6| 7.5| 8.0| 47.0| 51| 57| 1.6| 1.2| 1.1
Recommended proportions

Mapecem:| 350-450 kg
Graded aggregates from 0 to 8 mm Gravel 0-8:| 1 m³
Water:| from 80 to 160 kg depending on the moisture in the aggregates
equal to:

Mapecem:| one 20 kg bag
Graded aggregates from 0 to 8 mm Gravel 0-8:| 80-100 kg or 13-15 shovelfuls
Water:| from 4 to 8 kg depending on the moisture in the aggregates

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS FOR PREPARATION AND APPLICATION

For further and complete information about the safe use of our product please refer to the latest version of our Safety
Data Sheet is available for download from our website at www.mapei.com.au.
PRODUCT FOR PROFESSIONAL USE.

МАРЕСЕМ: TECHNICAL DATA

Aggregates for Mapecem: gravel from 4 to 8 mm and sand from 0 to 4 mm
The correct consistency of Mapecem
Mixing Mapecem with an automatic pumping unit
Covering pipes with Mapecem and reinforcement netting
Mixing Mapecem in a mini-batcher
Spreading the anchoring slurry for bonded Mapecem screeds
Finishing a Mapecem screed with Ultraplan self-leveling compound
Batching a Mapecem mix
Preparing a leveling strip
Using the straight-edge
Tamping the Mapecem screed
Laying and smoothing of the Mapecem screed – Sistine Halls – Vatican City
Carbide hygrometer for measuring the moisture level of a Mapecem screed
Electronic hygrometer for measuring the moisture level of a Mapecem screed
Mapecem: the ideal screed for all types of flooring
Mixing Mapecem with Planicrete SP to make a bonding slurry

WARNING

Although the technical details and recommendations contained in this product data sheet correspond to the best of our knowledge and experience, all the above information must, in every case, be taken as merely indicative and subject to confirmation after long-term practical application: for this reason, anyone who intends to use the product must ensure beforehand that it is suitable for the envisaged application: in every case, the user alone is fully responsible for any consequences deriving from the use of the product.
Please refer to the current version of the Technical Data Sheet available from our website www.mapei.com.au

LEGAL NOTICE

The contents of this Technical Data Sheet (“TDS”)may be copied into another project-related document, but the resulting document shall not supplement or replace requirements per the TDS in force at the time of the MAPEI product installation.
The most up-to-date TDS can be downloaded from our website www.mapei.com.au.
ANY ALTERATION TO THE WORDING OR REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED OR DERIVED FROM THIS TDS EXCLUDES THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAPEI.
Kevmor Trade Supplies
11 Belmont Avenue, Belmont WA 6104
Tel: 08 9277 7177
E:sales@kevmor.com.au
W:kevmor.com.au
201-12-2011-gb
Any reproduction of texts, photos, and illustrations published here is prohibited and subject to prosecution