Isolastic Latex Additive — Elasticity, Deformability & Waterproofing for Cementitious Adhesives
Pinkish-white liquid latex additive mixed with Kerabond, Kerabond T, Kerabond Easy, Kerabond Plus, and Adesilex P10 to upgrade them to high-performance, deformable cementitious adhesive classifications under EN 12004 — the component that transforms a standard adhesive into one rated for swimming pools, large-format tiles, underfloor heating, and movement-prone substrates.
Performs reliably under sustained 45°C+ summer temperatures with a service range of −30°C to +90°C — covering the full thermal cycling UAE façades and unshaded balconies experience. For the fast-tracked concrete pours common on UAE developer handover schedules (often under 6 months old at tiling), the undiluted S2 mix delivers the deformability needed to absorb early-age substrate movement. Once hydrated, it adds waterproofing suitable for swimming pools and water tanks across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
P.O Box 2806, Industrial Area 15, Sharjah UAE — expert coordination, authentic supply, site-ready delivery.
What is Isolastic?
Isolastic is a latex additive engineered to impart elasticity, deformability, and waterproofing to cementitious tile adhesives. Mixed with Kerabond, Kerabond T, Kerabond Easy, or Kerabond Plus — undiluted or diluted 1:1 with water — it raises these adhesives to C2ES2 (highly deformable) or C2ES1 (deformable) classification under EN 12004. Mixed with Adesilex P10 diluted 1:1 with water, it achieves C2ES1 classification specifically for glass and ceramic mosaic on paper or mesh backings.
Composed of a water dispersion of an extremely elastic polymer, Isolastic improves adhesion to all substrates, deformability, and impermeability once hydration takes place. It carries EC1 Plus certification for very low VOC emissions, protecting the health of both applicators and end users.
Suitable for balconies, terraces, swimming pools, façades, underfloor heating systems, wet areas, large-format tiles, and substrates subject to movement or vibration, Isolastic enhances adhesion, impermeability, and long-term durability in challenging UAE environments.
Specified For
Key Performance Benefits
- Upgrades to C2ES2 / C2ES1 — meets EN 12004 / ISO 13007-1 deformable adhesive classifications
- Improves adhesion — enhances bond strength across all compatible substrates
- Increases deformability — essential for movement-prone substrates and thermal cycling
- Adds waterproofing — once hydrated, suitable for swimming pools and water tanks
- Compatible with 5 adhesives — Kerabond, Kerabond T, Kerabond Easy, Kerabond Plus, Adesilex P10
- EC1 Plus certified — very low VOC emissions for occupied and sensitive environments
- 24-month shelf life — stable storage in original packaging when protected from frost
- Dual dilution — undiluted for S2 highly deformable, or 1:1 with water for S1 deformable
- Service temperature range of −30°C to +90°C once cured
- Excellent resistance to alkalis and solvents
Final Performance — Undiluted (S2) vs Diluted 1:1 (S1)
| Parameter | Undiluted — C2ES2 | Diluted 1:1 — C2ES1 |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency of Mix | Very pasty | Very creamy |
| Colour of Mix | Grey / White | White |
| Density of Mix | 1,500 kg/m³ | 1,450 kg/m³ |
| pH of Mix | Over 12 | Over 12 |
| Open Time | 20–30 min | 30 min |
| Adjustability Time | ~45 min | ~45 min |
| Tensile Adhesion — Initial (28d) | 2.4 N/mm² | 2.1 N/mm² |
| Tensile Adhesion — After Heating | 2.5 N/mm² | 3.0 N/mm² |
| Tensile Adhesion — Water Immersion | 1.6 N/mm² | 1.3 N/mm² |
| Tensile Adhesion — Freeze/Thaw | 1.8 N/mm² | 1.4 N/mm² |
| Deformability (EN 12004) | S2 — >5 mm | S1 — >2.5 mm |
| Temperature in Use | −30 to +90°C | −30 to +90°C |
| Resistance to Alkalis / Solvents | Excellent | Excellent |
Resistance to oils: excellent (poor to vegetable oils) for both dilutions.
Mixing Ratios by Adhesive (per 25 kg Bag)
| Adhesive + Isolastic | Ratio (by weight) | Per 25 kg Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Kerabond Easy (undiluted) | 100 : 33 | 8.25 kg Isolastic |
| Kerabond Easy (1:1 diluted) | 100 : 16 : 16 | 4 kg Isolastic + 4 kg water |
| Kerabond (undiluted) | 100 : 33 | 8.25 kg Isolastic |
| Kerabond (1:1 diluted) | 100 : 16 : 16 | 4 kg Isolastic + 4 kg water |
| Kerabond T (undiluted) | 100 : 33 | 8.25 kg Isolastic |
| Kerabond T (1:1 diluted) | 100 : 16 : 16 | 4 kg Isolastic + 4 kg water |
| Kerabond Plus (undiluted) | 100 : 33 | 8.25 kg Isolastic |
| Kerabond Plus (1:1 diluted) | 100 : 16 : 16 | 4 kg Isolastic + 4 kg water |
| Adesilex P10 (1:1 diluted only) | 100 : 18 : 18 | 4.5 kg Isolastic + 4.5 kg water |
Note: Adesilex P10 is used with Isolastic in the 1:1 diluted form only.
Application Parameters
| Application Method | Notched trowel; double-buttering for specific applications |
| Min / Max Temp | +5°C to +40°C |
| Grouting — Walls | After 4–8 hours |
| Grouting — Floors | After 24–36 hours |
| Light Foot Traffic | 24–36 hours |
| Ready for Use | Approx. 14 days |
| Pools & Basins Fill | After 4 weeks |
| Tool Cleaning | Water while fresh; white spirit if set |
Substrates & Double-Buttering
| Suitable Substrates | Concrete (3+ months cured), renders, screeds, primed gypsum board, old flooring, waterproofing membranes |
| Double-Butter For | Outdoor tiles >30 cm; large-format >60 cm; heated floors; heavy-load floors; pools & water tanks |
| Do NOT Use On | Metal, rubber, PVC, linoleum; moisture-sensitive stone; pools/refrigeration rooms needing rapid service |
Application Guide — UAE Site Conditions
Follow these steps to achieve the full deformable, waterproof performance Isolastic adds to the Kerabond and Adesilex P10 range under UAE site conditions. Always refer to the current Mapei TDS for the base adhesive being used.
Surface Preparation
All substrates must be flat, mechanically strong, and free from loose parts, grease, oil, paint, and wax. Precast or in-situ concrete must be cured for at least 3 months under favourable conditions. Renders should cure at least one week per centimetre of thickness in warm weather; cementitious screeds require at least 28 days unless made with Mapei accelerated binders such as Mapecem, Mapecem Pronto, Topcem, or Topcem Pronto. Gypsum and anhydrite must be perfectly dry (max. 0.5% residual moisture, 0.3% for heated screeds) and primed with Primer G or Eco Prim T Plus. Clean existing floors with UltraCare HD Cleaner or abrade with a power tool.
Choosing the Mixing Ratio
The mixing ratio depends on the deformability required. Use undiluted (S2 — highly deformable) for substrates subject to strong size variations — concrete structures cured less than 6 months, large-sized tiles or slabs, or substrates facing considerable sudden temperature changes. Use diluted 1:1 with water (S1 — deformable) for moderately unstable substrates or fully cured concrete. Note that Adesilex P10 is used with the 1:1 diluted form only.
Preparing the Mix
When using Isolastic diluted with water, thoroughly blend the Isolastic portion with a small amount of clean water first. Pour the adhesive powder into the liquid and continuously stir with a slow-speed mechanical mixer until smooth and lump-free. Let the mix stand for a few minutes, stir again, and proceed with application. Pot life of the mixed adhesive is approximately 8 hours.
Applying the Adhesive
Spread a thin first layer using the smooth side of the trowel for good adhesion, then apply the working thickness with the notched side, sized for the tile format. Double-buttering (applying adhesive to both substrate and tile back) is required for: outdoor ceramic floor/wall tiles over 30 cm; large-format tiles over 60 cm; heated floors; floors to be sanded in situ or subject to heavy loads; and swimming pools and water tanks.
Installing Tiles & Grouting
Follow the base adhesive's technical data sheet for installation, but allow for a slightly shorter open time than the unmodified product at equivalent temperature and humidity. Use the MapeLevel range of levelling systems to maintain correct grout spacing and minimise lippage between tiles. Grout wall joints after 4–8 hours and floor joints after 24–36 hours. Light foot traffic is possible after 24–36 hours, with the installation ready for use after approximately 14 days.
Post-Application Performance
Once cured, Isolastic-modified adhesives deliver tensile adhesion strength of up to 2.4–3.0 N/mm² depending on dilution and conditioning, temperature resistance from −30°C to +90°C, and excellent resistance to alkalis and solvents. Suitable for façades, underfloor heating installations, precast concrete structures, swimming pools, and large-format or glass mosaic tiling across UAE residential, hospitality, and infrastructure projects.
Pool Fill at 4 Weeks
Swimming pools and basins must not be filled until 4 weeks after installation — longer than the unmodified adhesives in the range. Filling early risks failure of the waterproof, deformable bond before it has fully developed.
Choose S2 for Young Concrete
For concrete cured under 6 months, large slabs, or substrates facing sudden temperature swings, use undiluted Isolastic (S2). The diluted S1 mix is for moderately unstable or fully cured substrates only.
Double-Butter Large Formats
Double-buttering is mandatory for outdoor tiles over 30 cm, large formats over 60 cm, heated floors, heavy-load floors, and pools. Skipping it on large-format UAE porcelain leaves voids that fail under thermal and immersion stress.
Recommended System Products
Combine Isolastic with compatible tile adhesives, rapid-setting systems, and grouting solutions to create highly flexible, high-bond-strength tile installation systems for porcelain, ceramic, mosaics, balconies, façades, swimming pools, wet areas, and large-format tiles. All stocked by Highway BMT.