abe® expands self-levelling floor screed range • a.b.e.®

a.b.e.^® has launched two new versions of its dustless abe.^®screed SLC P self-levelling floor screed to add screeds of varying strengths with different walk-on times and characteristics. abe.^®screed SLC P has over the past seven years won wide acclaim and popularity throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and has even been installed at a major hospital in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

a.b.e.^®, with head office in Boksburg, was formerly part of Chryso Southern Africa which has recently become part of the Saint-Gobain Group.

The two new quick-setting self-levelling screeds, abe.^®screed SLC P 15 and SLC P25, offer typical 28-day compressive strengths of 15MPa and 25MPa, with matching flexural strengths of 6MPa and 9MPa, respectively. Walk-on time for abe.^®screed SLC P 15 is about six hours, while SCL P25, can handle pedestrian traffic after only four hours. abe.^®screed SLC P 15 is ideal for vinyl or ceramic tile covering while the stronger SLC P 25 is suitable for surface coatings such as epoxy.

Peter Jones, a.b.e.’s National Flooring Sales Manager, says abe.^®screed SLC P 15 has been widely applied for fast track refurbishment and new construction where finishes such as carpets, ceramic tiles, vinyl, wood block, or cork flooring had to be applied quickly. “The product has proved extremely popular to level floors in office buildings, houses, shops, public premises, schools, and airports. As it is protein-free and does not harbour bacteria, it is ideal for hospitals and clinics in our current pandemic world. The ‘green’ qualities of abe.^®screed self-levelling screed – among the wide range of dustless a.b.e.^® products – in enclosed flooring environments are also important for the health and safety of applicators,” Jones states.

The abe.^®screed self-levelling range can be trowel-applied for thicknesses of up to 20mm, or pumped for screeds of between 4mm to 20mm. An 8mm average thickness is usually satisfactory on a reasonably level base. Floor coverings can be laid after 12 to 24 hours, depending on the screed’s strength and day temperatures. If pumped, a surface area of about 2 000m2 can be achieved in just a day.

“Priming of the floor surfaces with abe.^®prime SLC acrylic primer improves the self-levelling screed’s adhesion to the concrete substrate, reduces substrate absorbency, and seals the substrate. Correct surface preparation, as well as mixing and proportioning of the abe.^®screed self-levelling screed, are essential for good results. The correct tools should also be used and a.b.e.’s prescribed application method followed,” Jones advises.

He says the following factors should be considered when choosing a fit-for-purpose screed:

* Slip, abrasion, and impact resistance;

* Type of traffic on the floor;

* Type of flooring to be used on top of the screed;

* Levels and flatness;

* Appearance and maintenance;

* Drying out of moisture in the screed; and

* Location of the floor’s movement joints.

Since its launch seven years ago, abe.^®screed self-levelling screed has been used at several hospitals such as the Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Hospital in Johannesburg, 2 Military and Karl Bremer Hospitals in Cape Town, as well as hospitals at Vredenburg, De Aar, Newcastle, and Polokwane. The screed was also specified for the Gutsche Property Ignite Gym in Port Elizabeth, Supa Quick Fitment Centre in the Western Cape, as well as a Community Centre Upliftment Project in the Western Cape.