Mapetex Sel Non-Woven Polypropylene Reinforcement Fabric
Macro-holed, non-woven polypropylene fabric engineered to reinforce flexible cementitious waterproofing membranes. Embedded between two coats, it significantly enhances crack-bridging, punch-resistance, toughness, and ultimate elongation of the entire waterproofing system.
Mapetex Sel is not a standalone product. It is always placed between the 1st and 2nd coat of the compatible cementitious membrane while the first coat is still wet and fresh.
Remains dimensionally stable under sustained 45°C+ summer temperatures, resistant to the thermal cycling that causes conventional mesh to deform. Engineered for coastal UAE environments — Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah — where salt-laden humidity and substrate movement demands enhanced crack-bridging. Ensures the waterproofing membrane maintains integrity under continuous structural and thermal stress.
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What is Mapetex Sel?
Mapetex Sel is a high-performance, macro-holed, non-woven polypropylene reinforcement fabric engineered to strengthen and stabilize cementitious waterproofing systems. It is embedded within waterproofing layers to improve bond integrity, crack-bridging capability, and overall system durability — without affecting flexibility or permeability.
Designed for professional application, Mapetex Sel integrates seamlessly with cement-based membranes, allowing them to absorb structural movement, resist surface stress, and prevent crack propagation over time. Its open-structure macro-holed fabric enables optimal adhesion between layers, ensuring a uniform, reinforced waterproof barrier across the substrate. Suitable for new construction and refurbishment across balconies, terraces, swimming pools, bathrooms, and concrete structures.
Key Performance Benefits
- Significantly enhances crack-bridging capability — rated for cracks greater than 3 mm when used within the system
- Dramatically improves membrane tensile strength and punch-resistance
- Macro-holed structure (~1 mm holes) ensures complete water and mortar permeability for full embedment
- Dimensionally stable — remains undeformed under UAE's thermal cycling and sustained summer heat
- Alkali-resistant — withstands the alkaline environment of cementitious membranes without degradation
- Resistant to atmospheric agents, UV exposure, and coastal salt-laden humidity
- Light and easy to handle — can be cut to shape for corners, upstands, and complex details
- Increases toughness, elongation, and mechanical strength of waterproofing membranes
Material Properties
| Base Material | Continuous synthetic polypropylene fibres, needle-punch bonded |
| Appearance | White non-woven fabric with 1 mm macro-holes throughout |
| Weight | 80 g/m² |
| Thickness | 0.6 mm |
| Hole Diameter | 1 mm (series of holes through full thickness) |
| Water Permeability | Fully permeable |
| Tensile Strength (longitudinal) | 3.9 kN/m (EN ISO 10319) |
| Tensile Strength (transversal) | 4.1 kN/m (EN ISO 10319) |
| Elongation at Break (longitudinal) | 80% |
| Elongation at Break (transversal) | 45% |
| Alkali Resistance | Resistant to alkalis in cement-based products |
| UV / Atmospheric Resistance | Resistant to UV and atmospheric agents |
| Dimensional Stability | Stable under thermal cycling up to 45°C+ UAE conditions |
| Standards Compliance | EN ISO 10319 |
Application & Site Parameters
| Installation Method | Manual placement into fresh membrane coat; press with flat-bladed trowel |
| System Position | Embedded between 1st and 2nd membrane coat |
| Min. Temp | +5°C |
| Max. Temp | +35°C (avoid extreme heat / direct sun) |
| Overlap at Joints | Minimum 5–10 cm longitudinal and transverse |
| Flood Testing | Minimum 3 days after completion |
| Full Immersion / Tiling | Minimum 5 days after completion |
| Cutting / Detailing | Cut and shape for corners, upstands, drains, penetrations |
Packaging — UAE
| Standard Roll | 25 m × 1 m wide (25 m² coverage per roll) |
Application Guide — UAE Site Conditions
Follow these steps to achieve maximum waterproofing system reinforcement and crack-bridging performance under UAE's high heat, dust, and coastal humidity conditions.
Surface Preparation
Ensure the substrate is sound, stable, and perfectly clean. Remove all cement laitance, loose particles, dust, grease, oil, curing compounds, and release agents using sandblasting or high-pressure water jetting. For deteriorated concrete, remove damaged areas and repair using Mapegrout or Planitop systems before waterproofing.
- Cementitious screeds: Seal shrinkage or structural cracks using epoxy bonding agents (e.g. Eporip); for levelling up to 2 cm use suitable levelling mortar (e.g. Adesilex P4)
- Existing floors (tiles, stone): Must be well bonded and free from wax, oil, grease, or paint — clean thoroughly to ensure proper adhesion
- Renders: Must be fully cured (~7 days per cm thickness); ensure strong adhesion, no dust or paint; pre-dampen absorbent surfaces
First Coat of Waterproofing Membrane
Apply the first coat of the selected compatible membrane (Mapelastic, Mapelastic Smart, Mapelastic Turbo, or Mapegum WPS) at the specified coverage rate per its TDS. Apply a uniform 1–2 mm thick first coat using trowel, brush, or spray system. Ensure consistent thickness and full surface coverage. The fabric must be embedded while this coat is still fresh and wet — do not allow the first coat to skin or begin drying before placing the fabric.
Fabric Placement & Embedment
While the first membrane coat is still wet and fresh, carefully lay Mapetex Sel onto the surface, aligning the roll in the direction of work. Press the fabric firmly into the membrane using a flat-bladed trowel, ensuring it is fully buttered — no dry areas, lifted edges, or bridging at changes in level. Overlap adjacent fabric sheets by a minimum of 5 cm at all longitudinal and transverse joints. At internal and external corners, junctions, pipe penetrations, and upstands, cut and press the fabric into the detail to maintain full contact and continuous reinforcement.
Second Coat of Waterproofing Membrane
Apply the second coat of the compatible membrane over the embedded fabric at the specified coverage rate, ensuring the fabric is completely covered and saturated. No fabric should remain visible through the finished second coat. Use a trowel or brush to work the membrane firmly into the fabric holes for complete mechanical bonding.
Curing & Protection
Protect the completed waterproofing system from direct sun, rain, traffic, and debris during the curing period. Allow a minimum of 3 days before flood testing and a minimum of 5 days before full immersion or tiling. In high-humidity coastal conditions (Dubai waterfront, Corniche areas), allow additional curing time before immersion testing.
Post-Application Performance
The reinforced waterproofing system provides enhanced crack-bridging above 3 mm, improved puncture resistance, superior membrane tensile strength, and long-term movement tolerance once fully cured. Suitable for balconies, terraces, swimming pools, basins, wet rooms, flat roofs, retaining walls, foundations, and large-scale containment structures across all UAE project types.
Timing Critical
Fabric must be placed while the first coat is still wet. If the first coat begins to skin or dry, re-apply a fresh layer before placing the fabric — embedding into a dried coat destroys system integrity.
Overlap Required
Minimum 5–10 cm overlap at all fabric sheet joints — never butt-join. Insufficient overlap creates a weak plane in the membrane system where cracking and water ingress can initiate.
Full Coverage
No fabric should remain visible after the second coat — any exposed fabric areas indicate insufficient second coat coverage. Re-apply immediately before the second coat cures to avoid lamination failure.
Recommended System Products
Mapetex Sel must always be used within a compatible Mapei waterproofing membrane system. Combine with these Highway BMT-stocked Mapei products for a complete reinforced waterproofing system suitable for UAE residential, commercial, and infrastructure environments.