Fabrik 58 is a light weight, woven E-glass, fiberglass yarn, reinforcing fabric scrim. It is used to reinforce a wide range of floor and wall coating systems to increase tensile strength and mitigate the risk of substrate movement causing aesthetic defects in the ultimate finish.
Features
• Lightweight, easy to transport and handle
• Easy and quick to apply
• Can be applied with primers or underlays
• Ultra-thin, requires little material to cover
• High tensile strength
• Can be easily formed and folded to reinforce corners
• Alkali resistant.
Fabrik 58
• On mineral and timber substrates such as concrete, cementitious screeds, plaster and water resistant cement board, well bonded ceramic tiles, OSB, P5 chipboard, plywood, MDF and floorboards.
• When used in conjunction with resin priming systems, Fabrik 58 will create a reinforced laminate to bind substrates prone to movement.
• When embedded in decorative first finishing coats or underlays, Fabrik 58 will reduce the risk of crack propagation from the substrate through to the ultimate finish.
• Mechanically prepare substrate to ensure the optimal performance of the adhesive material used to bond the fabric; follow the resin/mortar coating manufacturers recommendations regarding substrate moisture content & temperature, minimum & maximum ambient application temperatures, atmospheric humidity, and dew point consideration.
• Ensure floors are vacuumed to remove any debris which can cause the fabric to “tent” and that walls are sufficiently flat to ensure the material will sit within the thickness of the resin or mortar coating.
• Assess the substrate porosity. Porous substrates may require the application of an initial coat of primer to seal the substrate prior to applying a second priming/encapsulating coat. This will ensure sufficient primer remains on the surface to provide adequate material to bond the fabric. This is particularly relevant when applying material more porous sand/cement screeds but may be necessary on other mineral or timber substrates.
Application methods are dependent on the material used to adhere the fabric, such as two component resins, cementitious mortars, or single component acrylic primers.
• Two Component Resins
Having sealed/primed the substrate, the fabric may be laid directly onto the floor and the resin applied using a caulking or smoothing blade over the top, or into the surface of previously applied (wet) priming layer. If necessary, a metal star roller can be used to roll and press the fabric into the resin. It may be necessary to broadcast wet resin with aggregate after the Fabrik 58 has been incorporated to ensure a key is provided for the ultimate finishing material, observing the resin manufacturers recommendations regarding aggregate density and size.
When applying to walls, the resin should be applied first, and the fabric draped into it. A star roller can be used to ensure the fabric is embedded and makes good contact with the substrate.
• Single Component Acrylic Primers
Having sealed the substrate, if necessary and/or preferred, you may wish to apply a second coat of primer over the Fabrik 58 to partially adhere it to ease the application of the first mortar topcoat.
• Plaster and Microcement
Cut the Fabrik 58 to length across the area to be treated and roll up to either side of the room as preferred. Trowel apply a thin layer of mortar paste to approximately one square metre of floor, not exceeding the width of the roll by more than approximately 100mm.
Roll out the fabric and press lightly into the mortar with the edge of the trowel. Continue across the room rolling out and embedding as you proceed. Thought should be given to the time required to complete each width to ensure the next length can be embedded within the open time of the embedment material already applied. Allow to cure sufficiently prior to applying intermediate or topcoats over the fabric embedment layer. If the surface of the system is to be polished or burnished it is important to ensure sufficient mortar coverage to ensure the fabric patten does not show through in the finish.
• Wall Applications
When applying to walls, cut the fabric to the drop length. Apply the mortar paste to the wall and drape the fabric in, in a similar way to applying wallpaper. Dependent on the consistency of the paste, press the fabric into the mortar using a trowel or brush, applying as much additional material on top of the fabric to ensure complete encapsulation. Once cured, apply finishing coats as necessary ensuring sufficient coverage to ensure the fabric pattern doesn’t show through the polished surface.
It may be easier on occasions to mechanically adhere fabrics on undulating timber substrates using staples around the perimeter, and periodically to some low or high points. If necessary, hammer staples down to ensure they will not protrude through the finish. Alternatively, longer staples may be used to allow the fabric to be suspended within the body of the mortar which can be useful in thicker repairs and when applying smoothing screeds.
On mineral substrates, hot glue can be used to spot adhere fabrics to the perimeter to ease pulling taught if necessary. Our technical department can assist when considering fixing material on such substrates.
All movement joints in the substrate should be brought through the finished surface. Re-form once fully cured using a diamond saw and seal using a suitable joint sealant.
Store on ends, on pallets, in dry conditions out of sunlight in original unopened packaging.
Gloves should be worn when using this fabric. It is of primary importance that the health and safety precautions recommended by the manufacturer of the adhesive material are observed, specifically with regard to the required PPE for skin, eye and lung protection.