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Why ACTFLEX 989 in Bathrooms Meets the Standard

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The Role of AS ISO 13007

AS ISO 13007 is the international standard adopted in Australia for ceramic tile adhesives. It sets out:

  • How tile adhesives must bond to substrates, including cementitious surfaces and membranes.

  • Performance classifications for tensile adhesion strength, open time, slip resistance, and water immersion.

  • Requirements that adhesives used in wet areas must form a direct, durable bond to the membrane beneath.

This is critical because not all membranes are compatible. Many polymeric or solvent-based membranes need additional primers, slip layers, or mechanical separation before adhesive application. If ignored, the tile adhesive may debond, shear, or blister under moisture and thermal stresses.


Connection to AS 3740 (Waterproofing of Domestic Wet Areas)

AS 3740 governs the waterproofing of bathrooms, laundries, and other wet areas in Australia. It requires that:

  • The waterproofing membrane must be compatible with tile adhesives used in the system.

  • The system as a whole (substrate → membrane → adhesive → tiles) must remain bonded and waterproof under wet area conditions.

This is where AS ISO 13007 comes in. AS3740 refers back to 13007 to ensure the adhesive–membrane interface is tested and compliant.


Why ACTFLEX 989 Complies

ACTFLEX 989 is a cementitious waterproofing membrane, so:

  • It creates a cement-based surface that adhesives tested under AS ISO 13007 are designed to bond directly to.

  • No slip sheet or intermediate layer is required.

  • This compliance ensures the full system (membrane + adhesive + tile) satisfies the requirements of AS 3740 for domestic wet areas.


Practical Advantage

  • One less step: no primers or separation layers between membrane and adhesive.

  • Bonded screed option: because ACTFLEX 989 is cementitious, a bonded screed can be installed directly on top.

  • Compliance guaranteed: installers can point to both AS ISO 13007 and AS 3740 when questioned on standards.


 In summary:

  • AS ISO 13007 = defines how adhesives must bond to membranes/substrates.

  • AS 3740 = requires membranes to be compatible with adhesives, referencing 13007.

  • ACTFLEX 989 = meets both, ensuring direct bond, system compliance, and long-term bathroom performance.

 
 
 

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