LATICRETE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
1 LATICRETE Park North
Bethany, CT 06524-3423 USA
Telephone: +1.203.393.0010, ext. 235
Toll Free: 1.800.243.4788, ext. 235
Fax: +1.203.393.1948
E-mail: technicalservices@laticrete.com
Web site: http://www.laticrete.com


LATICRETE® 254 Platinum

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

The ultimate one-step, polymer fortified, thin-set mortar for interior and exterior installation of ceramic tile, stone, quarry tile, pavers and brick. LATICRETE 254 Platinum, designed to just mix with water, has a long open time with unsurpassed adhesion and workability. LATICRETE 254 Platinum is a LATICRETE approved substitute for LATICRETE 211 Powder mixed with LATICRETE 4237 Latex Additive.

Uses

Excellent for exterior and underwater applications, superior bond to exterior glue plywood and concrete. The ultimate thin-set for porcelain and glass tiles.

Advantages
  • Contains Microban® antimicrobial protection to inhibit the growth of stain causing mold and mildew in the substrate
  • Exceeds ANSI A118.4 Shear Bond Strength Requirements & ANSI A118.11
  • Conforms to EN 12004 and ISO 13007 with a classification of C2TES1
  • Ultimate adhesion for porcelain and glass tiles
  • Incredible bond to exterior glue plywood and concrete*
  • Superior for exterior and submerged applications
  • High shear bond strength
  • Smooth creamy formula
  • 10 Year Warranty**
* See limitations.
** When used as part of the LATICRETE® 10 Year System Warranty DS 230.12.

Suitable Substrates
  • Exterior glue plywood*
  • Properly prepared vinyl tile*
  • Concrete/masonry
  • Concrete block
  • Cement mortar beds
  • Non-water soluble cut-back adhesive*
  • Cement terrazzo
  • Cement backer boards**
  • Gypsum wallboard*
  • Gypsum plaster*
  • Plastic laminate*
  • Cement terrazzo
  • Existing ceramic tile and stone
* Interior use only.
** Consult cement backer board manufacturer for specific installation recommendations and to verify acceptability for exterior use.

Packaging

50 lb bag (22.7 kg); 54 bags per pallet
Color: Grey and White

Approximate Coverage
80–95 ft2 /50 lb bag (7.4–8.8 m2 /22.7 kg bag) with 1/4" × 1/4" (6 mm × 6 mm) notched trowel.
60–70 ft2 / 50 lb bag (5.6–6.5 m2 /22.7 kg bag) with 1/4" × 3/8" (6 mm × 9 mm) notched trowel.
40–45 ft2 / 50 lb bag (3.7–4.2 m2 /22.7 kg bag) with 1/2" × 1/2" (12 mm × 12 mm) notched trowel.
Coverage will vary depending on trowel notch size, type and size of tile and substrate.

Shelf Life

Factory sealed containers of this product are guaranteed to be of first quality for one (1) year* if stored off the ground in a dry area.
* High humidity will reduce the shelf life of bagged product.

Limitations
  • Not for use directly over particle board, luan, Masonite® or hardwood floors
  • Adhesives/mastics, mortars and grouts for ceramic tile, pavers, brick and stone are not replacements for waterproofing membranes. When a waterproofing membrane is required, use a LATICRETE Waterproofing Membrane (see Section 10 FILING SYSTEMS)
  • Note: Surfaces must be structurally sound, stable and rigid enough to support ceramic/stone tile, thin brick and similar finishes. Substrate deflection under all live, dead and impact loads, including concentrated loads, must not exceed L/360 for thin bed ceramic tile/brick installations or L/480 for thin bed stone installations where L=span length.
Cautions
Consult MSDS for more safety information.
  • Some marbles and other stone have low flexural strength and may not be suitable for installation over wood floors
  • During cold weather, protect finished work from traffic until fully cured
  • Contains portland cement and silica sand. May irritate eyes and skin. Avoid contact with eyes or prolonged contact with skin. In case of contact, flush thoroughly with water
  • Wait 14 days after the final grouting period before filing water features with water at 70°F (21°C)
  • DO NOT take internally. Silica sand may cause cancer or serious lung problems. Avoid breathing dust. Wear a respirator in dusty areas
  • For white and light–colored marbles use LATICRETE® 254 Platinum WHITE. For green marble, resin backed tile and stone and other moisture sensitive marbles and agglomerates, use LATAPOXY® 300 Adhesive (refer to Data Sheet 633.0)
  • Keep out of reach of children

TECHNICAL DATA

VOC/LEED Product Information

This product has been GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute under the GREENGUARD Standard for Low Emitting Products in finished form.

Total VOC Content pounds/gallon (grams/liter) of product in unused form is 0.00 lb/gal (0.00 g/l).

Applicable Standard

ANSI A118.4, ANSI 118.11, EN 12004, ISO 13007

Physical Properties
Test Test Method Results Specification
28 day Cure
Porcelain Tile
Shear Strength		 ANSI A118.4 5.2.4 450–520 psi
(3.1–3.6 MPa)		 >200 psi (1.38 MPa)
Shear Bond
Porcelain Tile
Water Immersion		 ANSI A118.4 5.2.3 300 psi
(2.1 MPa)		 >150 psi (1.0 MPa)
28 day Cure Quarry
Tile to Plywood
Shear Bond		 ANSI A118.11 4.1.2 265 psi
(1.83 MPa)		 >150 psi (1.0 MPa)
Data from TCA 055-55 and NAP126

Test Test Method ISO 13007-1 C2
Specification		 Results
28 day cure tensile adhesive
strength		 ISO 13007-2
4.4.2		 1 MPa (145 psi) 2.3 – 2.6 MPa
(333-377 psi)
7 day cure 21 day water
immersion tensile adhesive
strength		 ISO 13007-2
4.4.3		 1 MPa (145 psi) 1.29–1.53 MPa
(187-221 psi)
14 day cure 14 day heat age
tensile adhesive strength		 ISO 13007-2
4.4.4		 1 MPa (145 psi) 2.38–3.02 MPa
(345-438 psi)
7 day cure 21 day water
immersion 25 freeze/thaw
cycle tensile adhesive
strength		 ISO 13007-2
4.4.5		 1 MPa (145 psi) 1.18–1.42 MPa
(171-206 psi)
Open time after 30 minutes ISO 13007-2 4.1 0.5 MPa (73 psi) 1.65–1.95 MPa
(239-283 psi)
Slip ISO 13007-2 4.2 Less than or equal to 0.5
mm (0.02 inches)		 0.5 mm
(0.02 inches)
Transverse deformation ISO 13007-2 4.5 Greater than or equal to 2.5
mm (0.1 in.) and less than 5
mm (0.2 in.)		 3.2–3.6 mm
(0.13-0.14 in.)
LATICRETE 254 Platinum is ISO 13007-1 C2TES1

Working Properties
Open Time 40 minutes
Pot Life 2 hours
Time to Heavy Traffic 24 hours
Wet Density 103 lbs/ft3 (1653 kg/m3 )
Specifications subject to change without notification. Results shown are typical but reflect test procedures used. Actual field performance will depend on installation methods and site conditions.

INSTALLATION

Surface Preparation

All surfaces should be between 40°F (4°C) and 90°F (32°C) and structurally sound, clean and free of all dirt, oil, grease, paint, concrete sealers or curing compounds. Rough or uneven concrete surfaces should be made smooth with LATICRETE Latex Portland Cement Underlayment to provide a wood float (or better) finish. Dry, dusty concrete slabs or masonry should be dampened and excess water swept off. Installation may be made on a damp surface. Concrete slabs must be plumb and true to within 1/4" (6 mm) in 10 ft (3 m).
Note: LATICRETE 254 Platinum does not require a minimum cure time for concrete slabs. Expansion joints shall be provided through the tile work from all construction or expansion joints in the substrate. Follow ANSI specification A108.01-3.7 "Requirements for Movement Joints: Preparations by Other Trades" or TCNA detail EJ-171 "Movement Joints—Vertical & Horizontal". Do not cover expansion joints with mortar.
  1. Installer must verify that deflection under all live, dead and impact loads of interior plywood floors does not exceed industry standards of L/360 for ceramic tile and brick or L/480 for stone installations where L=span length
  2. Minimum construction for interior plywood floors.
    SUBFLOOR: 5/8" (15 mm) thick exterior glue plywood, either plain with all sheet edges blocked or tongue and groove, over bridged joints spaced 16" (400 mm) o.c. maximum; fasten plywood 6" (150 mm) o.c. along sheet ends and 8" (200 mm) o.c. along intermediate supports with 8d ring-shank, coated or hot dip galvanized nails (or screws); allow 1/8" (3 mm) between sheet ends and 1/4" (6 mm) between sheets edges; all sheet ends must be supported by a framing member; glue sheets to joints with construction adhesive.
    UNDERLAYMENT: 5/8" (15 mm) thick exterior glue plywood fastened 6" (150 mm) o.c. along sheet ends and 8" (200 mm) o.c. in the panel field (both directions) with 8d ring-shank, coated or hot dip galvanized nails (or screws); allow 1/8" (3 mm) to 1/4" (6 mm) between sheets and 1/4" (6 mm) between sheet edges and any abutting surfaces; offset underlayment joints from joints in subfloor and stagger joints between sheet ends; glue underlayment to subfloor with construction adhesive. Refer to Technical Data Sheet 152 Bonding Ceramic Tile, Stone or Brick Over Wood Floors for complete details
Mixing

Place clean, potable water into a clean pail. Add LATICRETE 254 Platinum. Use approximately 5.5 qts (5.2 l) of water for 50 lbs (22.7 kg) of powder. Mix by hand or with a slow speed mixer to a smooth, trowelable consistency. Allow mortar to slake for 5–10 minutes. Remix with out adding any more water or powder. During use, stir occasionally to keep mix fluffy. DO NOT temper with water.

Application

Apply mortar to the substrate with the flat side of the trowel, pressing firmly to work into surface. Comb on additional mortar with the notched side.
Note: Use proper sized notched trowel to ensure full bedding of the tile. Spread as much mortar as can be covered with tile in 15–20 minutes. Back butter large tiles >8" × 8" (>200 mm × 200 mm) to provide full bedding and firm support. Place tiles into wet, sticky mortar and beat in using a beating block and rubber mallet to embed tile and adjust level. Check mortar for complete coverage by periodically removing a tile and inspecting bedding mortar transfer onto back of tile. If mortar is skinned over (not sticky), remove and replace with fresh mortar.

Grouting

Grout installation after a minimum of 24 hours curing time at 70°F (21°C). Grout with LATICRETE® SpectraLOCK®† PRO Grout, LATICRETE PermaColor™ Grout mixed with water or LATICRETE 1500 Sanded Grout or LATICRETE 1600 Unsanded Grout gauged with LATICRETE 1776 Grout Enhancer or with water.
† United States Invention Patent No.: 6881768 (and other Patents)

Cleaning

Clean tools and tile work with water while mortar is fresh.

AVAILABILITY AND COST

Availability

LATICRETE and LATAPOXY® materials are available worldwide.
For Distributor information:
Toll Free: 1.800.243.4788
Telephone: +1.203.393.0010
For on-line Distribution information, visit LATICRETE at www.laticrete.com

Cost

Contact a LATICRETE/LATAPOXY Distributor in your area.

WARRANTY

See 10. FILING SYSTEM
DS 230.13: LATICRETE Product Warranty

A component of:
DS 230.15: LATICRETE 10 Year System Warranty (For Steel of Wood Framed Exterior Facades)
DS 230.05: LATICRETE 5 Year System Warranty
DS 025.0: LATICRETE 25 Year System Warranty
DS 230.99: LATICRETE Lifetime System Warranty

MAINTENANCE

LATICRETE and LATAPOXY grouts require routine cleaning with a neutral pH soap and water. All other LATICRETE and LATAPOXY materials require no maintenance but installation performance and durability may depend on properly maintaining products supplied by other manufacturers.

TECHNICAL SERVICES

Technical assistance

Information is available by calling the LATICRETE Technical Service
Hotline (hours 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM EST):
Toll Free: 1.800.243.4788, ext. 235
Telephone: +1.203.393.0010, ext. 235
Fax: +1.203.393.1948

Technical and safety literature

To acquire technical and safety literature, please visit our website at www.laticrete.com.

FILING SYSTEM

Additional product information is available on our website at www.laticrete.com. The following is a list of related documents:
DS 230.13: LATICRETE Product Warranty
DS 230.05: LATICRETE 5 Year System Warranty
DS 230.15: LATICRETE 10 Year System Warranty (For Steel of Wood Framed Exterior Facades)
DS 025.0: LATICRETE 25 Year System Warranty
DS 230.99: LATICRETE Lifetime System Warranty
DS 236.0: LATICRETE 9235 Waterproofing Membrane
DS 663.0: LATICRETE Hydro Ban™
DS 230.1: LATICRETE 4237 Latex Additive
DS 239.0: LATICRETE 211 Powder
DS 633.0: LATAPOXY 300 Adhesive
DS 256.0: LATICRETE 1500 Sanded Grout
DS 258.0: LATICRETE 1600 Unsanded Grout
DS 264.0: LATICRETE 1776 Grout Enhancer
DS 685.0: LATICRETE SpectraLOCK PRO Grout
TDS 152: Bonding Ceramic Tile, Stone or Brick Over Wood Floors
DS 250.0: LATICRETE PermaColor™ Grout

LATICRETE International, Inc.
One LATICRETE Park North, Bethany, CT 06524-3423 USA • 1.800.243.4788 • +1.203.393.0010 • www.laticrete.com

©2010 LATICRETE International, Inc.
LATICRETE, LATAPOXY, SPECTRALOCK and the logo are Registered Trademarks of LATICRETE International, Inc.

Masonite is a registered trademark of Masonite International Corporation.
GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality is a registered trademark of the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute.
Microban is a registered trademark of Microban Products Company.

Data Sheets are subject to change without notice. For latest revision, check our website at www.laticrete.com