ARDEX N 23 MICROTEC Rapid Set Natural Stone and Tile Mortar for Marble, Granite, Porcelain & Ceramic Tile - 40 lb (18 kg) Bag, Gray (20072)

Product Features:

• Multi-Tile and Stone Compatibility: Use for setting porcelain, quarry and ceramic tile, ungauged stone, translucent marble, glass and natural stone tile for versatile use.
• Fast Two-Hour Grouting: Fast setting – grout in two hours to reduce downtime and help complete fast-track tile and stone installations efficiently.
• Moisture-Sensitive Stone Solution: Ideal for moisture-sensitive natural stone tile, helping protect marble, limestone and granite from water-related discoloration.
• Self-Drying Technology: Will not contribute to staining, warping or efflorescence, helping preserve the appearance and stability of moisture-sensitive stone.
• Outstanding Coverage: Outstanding coverage of 103 sq. ft. (9.5 sq. m) per bag with 1/4″ sq. notch trowel for efficient material use across larger projects.
• Flexible Installation Thickness: Thin- to medium-bed installation up to 5/8″ (15 mm). Features 1-hour pot life for adaptable placement and efficient application.
  
• Interior Floor and Wall Use: Use for interior floors and walls, supporting dependable tile and natural stone installations in residential and commercial spaces.
• Extended 30-Minute Open Time: Extended open time of 30 minutes, allowing installers more time to position and adjust tile or stone during application.
• Strong Bond and Sag Resistance: Excellent bond strength and sag resistance for secure wall and floor installations with professional-grade performance.
• Natural Stone Installation: Perfect for setting moisture-sensitive stone, including marble, limestone, and granite, while helping prevent discoloration and warping.
• Large Format Tile: Ideal for installing large and heavy tiles on walls and floors without sagging, supporting accurate placement and dependable adhesion.
• Shower and Wet Areas: Engineered for high-moisture environments, including residential and commercial showers, with reliable moisture-resistant performance.
• Versatile Installations: Suitable for tile and stone installations on various surfaces, including concrete, cementitious backer boards and existing tile.
• Commercial and Residential Projects: Reliable for high-traffic areas, countertops, and decorative stone applications with durable professional-grade results.

Product Description: 

ARDEX N 23 MICROTEC Rapid Set Natural Stone and Tile Mortar is a premium-grade, fast-setting, and highly flexible mortar engineered for the installation of natural stone and tile in interior applications. This advanced mortar is formulated with ARDEX MICROTEC® Technology, providing superior bond strength, sag resistance, and exceptional workability. It is specifically designed to prevent water discoloration and warping, making it ideal for moisture-sensitive natural stone, including marble, limestone, and granite. Engineered for thin-to-medium-bed applications up to 5/8" (15 mm), this professional tile mortar accommodates all tile sizes, including mosaics, while expanding installation versatility for porcelain tile, quarry tile, ceramic tile, ungauged stone, translucent marble, glass tile, and other specialty tile finishes.

With its rapid-setting properties, ARDEX N 23 allows for grout application in just 2 to 3 hours, significantly reducing downtime and enabling fast-track installations. Its high-performance formulation ensures excellent adhesion to a variety of substrates, including concrete, cementitious backer boards, and existing tile surfaces. The highly flexible nature of ARDEX N 23 accommodates slight substrate movement, preventing cracks and ensuring long-lasting durability. Proprietary ARDEX self-drying technology also helps prevent efflorescence while controlling excess moisture within the mortar during curing. An extended open time of up to approximately 30 minutes, approximately 1-hour pot life, and approximately 15-minute working time provide installers with practical application flexibility when positioning and adjusting tile.

This versatile mortar is suitable for use in showers, wet areas, providing exceptional moisture resistance and outstanding performance in high-traffic areas. Whether used in residential or commercial projects, ARDEX N 23 delivers professional-grade results with superior non-sag properties, making it an excellent choice for vertical installations. It is also suitable for interior floor tile applications over concrete floors equipped with in-floor heating systems, providing a dependable setting material for heated flooring projects. Its compatibility with both floor and wall installations makes it a versatile tile adhesive solution for contractors, tile installers, remodelers, and home improvement projects requiring reliable performance across a wide variety of tile materials.

For precise installation, mix each 40 lb. (18 kg) bag with 6 1/4 to 6 3/4 quarts (6 to 6.5 liters) of clean water, or use approximately 2.5 parts powder to 1 part water by volume when preparing smaller batches. Coverage varies according to the selected trowel: approximately 103 sq. ft. (9.5 sq. m) with a 1/4" x 1/4" square-notch trowel, approximately 80 sq. ft. (7.4 sq. m) with a 1/4" x 3/8" x 1/4" square-notch trowel, and approximately 57.5 sq. ft. (5 sq. m) with a 1/2" x 1/2" square-notch trowel. This outstanding coverage helps installers plan material requirements efficiently for both smaller renovations and larger professional tile installation projects.

Packaged in a convenient 40 lb. (18 kg) bag, ARDEX N 23 features a VOC content of 0 and combines straightforward mixing with strong application performance for demanding interior tile projects. Unopened bags have a shelf life of approximately one year when stored properly in a cool, dry area and protected from direct sun exposure. From detailed mosaic tile work and moisture-sensitive stone installations to porcelain, ceramic, glass, quarry, and specialty tile projects, this rapid set mortar provides a practical solution for professional tile setting where controlled application, dependable coverage, efficient installation, and long-term performance are essential.

Installation:

• Mixing Ratio: 6 1/4 – 6 3/4 quarts (6-6.5 liters) of water per 40 lb. (18 kg) bag
  (For smaller batches, use 2.5 parts powder to 1 part water by volume.)
• Approximate Coverage per 40 lb. (18 kg) bag:
  • 1/4” x  1/4” Sq. Notch Trowel; 103 sq. ft. (9.5 sq. m)
  • 1/4” x 3/8” x 1/4” Sq. Notch Trowel; 80 sq. ft. (7.4 sq. m)
  • 1/2” x 1/2” Sq. Notch Trowel; 57.5 sq. ft. (5 sq. m)