SikaCeram-188 KH

$8.50

C2TE HIGH PERFORMANCE CEMENTITIOUS TILE ADHESIVE

SikaCeram-188 KH
C2TE HIGH PERFORMANCE CEMENTITIOUS TILE ADHESIVE
DESCRIPTION
SikaCeram-188 KH is a high performance, thin layer,
cementitious tile adhesive, supplied ready to use with
the addition of water, for bonding ceramic tiles, porcelain
tiles and mosaics of every type of floors and
walls
USES
SikaCeram-188 KH is a product used for bonding
ceramic tiles in continuous thin layers, up to 10 mm
thick. Due to its excellent adhesion, it can be used in
situations where traditional tile adhesives for bonding
tiles are not suitable due to the type of tile, the substrate
or the specific job situation / location.
SikaCeram-188 KH is suitable to bond the following
types of tile:
▪ Ceramic, porcelain, homogeneous tiles
▪ All type of low and high absorption tiles
SikaCeram-188 KH can be used on substrates including:
Concrete and mortar

▪ Bricks
▪ Tiled surfaces (walls and floors)
▪ Large size tiles
▪ Under floor heating
Interior painted walls – if the paint coating is well
bonded and sound

SikaCeram-188 KH can be used on walls and floors, internally
or externally.
CHARACTERISTICS / ADVANTAGES
Easy to use with excellent workability and thixotropic
consistency

SikaCeram-188 KH can be applied on a vertical surface
without sagging or letting the tiles slip, even
when heavy tiles are used

Very good adhesion to most common substrates
(concrete, cementitious mortar, stone, bricks, etc.)

▪ Very good adhesion to existing tiles
Easy to use with excellent workability and thixotropic
consistency

Tile on tile of existing flooring with tile refurbishment
system

Compatible with Sikalastic® -1 K, SikaTop® Seal -107
and SikaTop® Seal-109

APPROVALS / CERTIFICATES
SikaCeram-188 KH is classified as C2TE in compliance
with EN 12004. SikaCeram-188 KH is a cementitious
adhesive (C) with improved adhesion (2), slip resistance
(T), and extended open time (E)
PRODUCT INFORMATION
Composition Cementitious mortar
Packaging 20 kg bag
Appearance / Colour Grey powder
Shelf life 6 months from date of production
Storage conditions Store properly in dry conditions, in undamaged and unopened, original
1 / 4
sealed packaging. Not sensitive to frost.
Density Fresh mortar density: ~1.70 kg/l (at +25 °C)
Maximum Grain Size Dmax: 0.4 mm
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Tensile Adhesion Strength (BS EN 1348:2007)
Standard Condition ≥ 1.0 N/mm²
Heat Ageing ≥ 1.0 N/mm²
Water Immersion ≥ 1.0 N/mm²
Slip Resistance ≤ 0.5 mm (EN 1308:1999)
APPLICATION INFORMATION
Mixing Ratio 4.8 of water per 20 kg bag
Consumption This depends on the level, profile and surface roughness of the substrate,
the size of the tiles and the technique of placing (simple placing or
“back”buttering). As a guide, in kilogram of powder per m²on flat surfaces:
Mosaics and small tiles 2.0 – 4.5 kg/m²
Normal size tiles (20 cm x 20 cm) 4.5 – 9.0 kg/m²
Large size tiles up to 3 600 cm² (internal
floors ) and 2 100 cm² (external
floors)
9.0 – 13.5 kg/m²
The consumption above may only serve as a guide. It is highly recommended
to carry-out trials on site to determine the actual coverage.
Layer Thickness 3 mm min. / 10 mm max.
Ambient Air Temperature +5 °C min. / +40 °C max.
Substrate Temperature +5 °C min. / +40 °C max.
Open Time ≥ 0.5 N/mm² at 30 minutes (at 23° C) (BS EN 1346:1997)
Under unfavourable conditions (direct sun, high ambient temperature and
strong wind), the open time may be shorter.
Adjustability Time Once the tiles are placed into the mortar, they can be adjusted for ~30
minutes (at +20 °C).
Applied Product Ready for Use At +25 °C
Before jointing works Min. 24 hours
Before opening to light foot traffic Min. 24 hours
Before opening to full traffic Min. 7 days
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
SUBSTRATE QUALITY / PRE-TREATMENT
Ensure all concrete slabs are allowed to cure fully
and have a wood float finish. Steel trowel finished
concrete surfaces must be mechanically abraded prior
to commencement of tiling.

Ensure all surfaces are sound, dry and free from excessive
movement, oil, dust, grease, wax, curing
compounds, release agents and any other loose or
contaminating materials. All dust, loose and friable
material must be completely removed from all surfaces
before application of the product, preferably
by brush and/or vacuum.

▪ Weak concrete and/or cement laitance must be removed.
Repairs to the substrate, filing of blowholes /
voids, etc. must be carried out using appropriate
products from the SikaTop® or Sika® MonoTop®
range of material.
If the substrate is very porous, and/or if the temperature
is high and the relative humidity is low, it is advisable
to pre-dampen the surface (do not leave any
standing water) or apply Sika® Primer. Please contact
Sika local representative for further information on
about the recommended primer for the specific substrate.

The maximum variation in the plane of the concrete
must not exceed 5 mm in 3 metres for floors and 4
mm in 2 metres for walls. Cementitious substrates
must be at least 1 month old. All rendered surfaces
must be allowed to cure for at least 7 days prior to

PRODUCT DATA SHEET
SikaCeram-188 KH
March 2020, Version 01.01
021710102000000399
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the commencement of tiling. Allow a waiting time of
24–48 hours if repair materials (e.g. SikaTop® / Sika®
MonoTop®) are used to repair the substrate.
The recommended thickness for compressed fibre
cement sheets are minimum, 15 mm for floor substrates
and 9 mm for wall substrates.

The recommended thickness for gypsum plasterboard
sheets are minimum, 10 mm for wall substrates

MIXING
Mix thoroughly with clean water for a minimum of 3
minutes. Leave material to stand in container (for a
minimum of 5 minutes). Then, remix the material for
15 seconds – the product is now ready for use. Sika-
Ceram-188 KH must be mechanically mixed using a
forced action mixer or in a clean container using a drill
and mixing paddle (< 500 rpm). A normal free fall concrete
mixer is not suitable.
APPLICATION
SikaCeram-188 KH is applied using a notched trowel
onto the substrate. Choose the size of trowel that will
give the right thickness on the back of the tile. Once
the surfaces have been appropriately prepared, apply
SikaCeram-188 KH onto the substrate using an appropriate
serrated trowel. SikaCeram-188 KH should be
applied onto the substrate at a rate of 1 m² at a time.
Application rates greater than this can result in the adhesive
skinning before the tiles are laid. Once the adhesive
is applied onto the substrate, ensure thatit
does not skin prior to bedding the tiles. If a surface
film has developed, pass a notched trowel through the
adhesive. Rework the adhesive before placing the tiles
within the open time. When placing the tiles into the
adhesive, press them in using the Tarver Method;
press, slide perpendicular and return. Ensure full coverage
of adhesive and no voids is underneath the tiles.
For tiles with lugs, grooves or uneven backing, it may
be required to back butter the tile with adhesive before
placing them.
The final bed thickness of SikaCeram-188 KH should be
at least 1 mm for wall and 3 mm for floor. Once tiling
works are completed, do not disturb the tiled surface
for at least 6–8 hours (at +20 °C).
As a guide: SikaCeram-188 KH is used for fixing absorbent
tiles up to a maximum size of 10 000 cm² (e.g.
60 cm x 120 cm) for indoor floors, up to 3 600 cm²
(e.g. 60 cm x 60 cm) for indoor walls and outdoor paving,
and 2 100 cm² (e.g. 30 cm x 60 cm or 45 cm x 45
cm) for façades without any mechanical clamps.
CLEANING OF EQUIPMENT
Clean all tools and application equipments with clean
water immediately after use. Hardened or cured material
can only be removed mechanically.
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
Follow the recommended water dosage when mixing
SikaCeram-188 KH. Do not exceed the maximum recommended
water dosage or go below the minimum
recommended water dosage.

Apply only to sound, prepared substrates. Do not exceed
the maximum layer thickness or go below the
minimum layer thickness.

Do not attempt to dampen the applied adhesive to
extend the open time as this interferes with the
bond performance.

Movement joints (width of 6–10 mm) must be
provided to allow for movement between adjacent
building components, over existing joints in the substrate,
around fixed elements in the floor (e.g.
columns), at internal vertical corners, around floor
perimeters, in internal floors (every 6–9 m), in external
floors (every 4.5 m), on wall surfaces at storey
heights horizontally (3–4.5 m apart vertically). Movement
joints should go right through the tile adhesive
bed to the background and be kept free from dirt
and adhesive droppings

BASIS OF PRODUCT DATA
All technical data stated in this Data Sheet are based
on laboratory tests. Actual measured data may vary
due to circumstances beyond our control.
LOCAL RESTRICTIONS
Note that as a result of specific local regulations the
declared data and recommended uses for this product
may vary from country to country. Consult the local
Product Data Sheet for the exact product data and
uses.
ECOLOGY, HEALTH AND SAFETY
LEGAL NOTES
The information, and, in particular, the recommendations
relating to the application and end-use of Sika
products, are given in good faith based on Sika’s current
knowledge and experience of the products when
properly stored, handled and applied under normal
conditions in accordance with Sika’s recommendations.
In practice, the differences in materials, substrates
and actual site conditions are such that no warranty
in respect of merchantability or of fitness for a
particular purpose, nor any liability arising out of any
legal relationship whatsoever, can be inferred either
from this information, or from any written recommendations,
or from any other advice offered. The
user of the product must test the product’s suitability
for the intended application and purpose. Sika reserves
the right to change the properties of its
PRODUCT DATA SHEET
SikaCeram-188 KH
March 2020, Version 01.01
021710102000000399
3 / 4
products. The proprietary rights of third parties must
be observed. All orders are accepted subject to our
current terms of sale and delivery. Users must always
refer to the most recent issue of the local Product
Data Sheet for the product concerned, copies of which
will be supplied on request.

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