TECH TALK –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– H.B. Fuller Construction Products introduces TEC® Ultimate 6 Plus Polymer Modified Mortar specifi- cally designed for installing gauged porcelain tile panels/slabs and large heavy tiles (LHT). TEC has devel- oped Ultimate 6 Plus Mortar to meet the particu- lar challenges of installing excep- tionally large thin tile panels and LHT on floors or walls. The new mortar offers extreme versatility. TEC Ultimate 6 Plus Mortar has a unique set of features that allows grouting in six hours – even when installed over the most impervi- ous substrates such as uncoupling membranes. Easy-to-use Ultimate 6 Plus Mortar has an extended pot life of two to three hours and open time of 50-60 minutes, allowing installers much-needed time to get full coverage and make adjust- ments. While this TEC mortar is formulated for gauged porcelain tile panels/slabs and LHT, it also works well on traditional tile for both floor and wall applications. TEC Ultimate 6 Plus Mortar exceeds ANSI A118.4TE and A118.11. www.tecspecialty.com. ily of hydraulic cements such as Portland cement materials and calcium aluminate. These com- pounds continue to harden under water. • They may require a primer to enhance bond strength and reduce development of pin holes. • They are designed and intended to provide a flat, smooth surface for the finished floor covering – ceramic tile or natural stone. Self-leveling underlayments achieve their high-flow properties through the use of flow agents that produce a pancake-batter-like consistency. They are also formu- lated to be non-shrinking and non- cracking. Unlike a thin-set mortar, SLUs are commonly set in thick- nesses of up to 1/2” to 2”and are formulated to not shrink or crack at that thickness. Components like calcium aluminate allow the SLU to cure quickly, so that in many cases, the underlayment will sup- port foot traffic and allow for tile setting in a matter of hours. Benefits of self-leveling underlayments Plaskota approached the sub- ject of SLU benefits by addressing common questions and objections about self-levelers – and the reality of the benefits they bring. Self levelers aren’t necessary for tile installations Reality: You need self-levelers for successful tile installations to ensure that the substrate is flat. 74 TileLetter | July 2018