ARDEX A38 MIX – Ultra-Rapid Drying, High-Performance Screed

ARDEX A38 MIX is a precision-engineered blend of ARDEX A38 cement and graded sands, designed to create ultra-rapid drying floor screeds for both internal and external applications. Featuring advanced RAPIDRY PLUS FORMULA Technology, it allows foot traffic in just 3 hours, with ceramic and natural stone tile installation possible after 4 hours, regardless of thickness. This makes it an excellent choice for fast-track projects where time is critical.

For more versatile flooring solutions, ARDEX A38 MIX enables the installation of resilient floor coverings such as carpet, vinyl, and wood in just 48 hours. Its rapid strength development means it surpasses the BRE Screed (ISCR) Test within 6 hours, while achieving compressive and tensile bending strengths in just 1 day that conventional cement screeds take 28 days to reach.

ARDEX A38 MIX is the ideal solution for creating bonded, unbonded, and floating screeds across a variety of environments, including wet areas like swimming pools. It is also highly effective for large-scale repairs of existing cement/sand screeds, making it perfect for projects that demand early foot traffic and rapid hardening.

Features:

• Pre-blended with graded sand for convenience – just add water
• Ideal for screeding in locations where access is limited
• Walkable in 3 hours
• Receives ceramic and natural stone tiles directly after only 4 hours
• Install carpet, wood, and vinyl floorcoverings after 48 hours
• Passes BRE Screed (ISCR) Testing after 6 hours
• After just one day, achieves the acceptable minimum compressive and tensile bending strengths attained by an ordinary cement screed after 28 days
• For bonded, unbonded, and floating screeds
• Can be used with underfloor heating systems
• Conforms to EN 13813 CT-C40-F5

Application:

• The working time of the mixed mortar is approximately 1 hour at 20°C, therefore mixing, placing, compaction, and trowelling off must proceed without delay. The amount of mortar mixed and the area to be screeded should be limited so that trowelling off and finishing can be completed within this time.
• Where a new bay is laid against a set and hardened screed, it is recommended that day work joints are vertical and treated with the grouting slurry as described under SUBSTRATE PREPARATION.
• Apply ARDEX A38 MIX at temperatures above 5°C.

Technical Data:

• Brand: Ardex
• Range: A38
• Product Type: Pre-Blended Drying Cement
• Working Time at 20°C: Approx. 1 hour
• Walkability at 20°C: Approx. 3 hours
• BRE Screed Test: Normally after 6 hours
• Compressive Strength:
  • After 1 day: 25.0 N/mm²
  • After 7 days: 35.0 N/mm²
  • After 28 days: 40.0 N/mm²
• Tensile Bending Strength:
  • After 1 day: 4.0 N/mm²
  • After 7 days: 4.5 N/mm²
  • After 28 days: 5.5 N/mm²
• Weight: 25kg
• Moisture Testing: The Speedy Moisture Tester (Carbide Method) must be used to test moisture. Please consult ARDEX Technical Services for further advice.
• Coverage: Material requirement is approximately 1.85kg of ARDEX A38 MIX per m² per millimetre of screed thickness, i.e., approximately 0.5m² at 25mm thick or 0.8m² at 15mm thick per bag.
• Packaging: ARDEX A38 MIX is packed in paper sacks incorporating a polyethylene liner – net weight 25kg.
• Embodied Carbon (A1-A3 production stage as defined in BS EN 15804): 0.49 kg CO₂ eq/kg

Standards and Certificates:

• BS 8204: Part 1 – In situ Floorings – Bases and Screeds
• BS 5385: Part 3 – Appendix C. Ceramic Floor Tiling and Mosaics
• BS 8000: Part 9 – Code of Practice for cement/sand floor screeds and concrete floor toppings (Workmanship on building sites)