Xtreme Gravel Lock: (VDW 520)

Technical Data

Installation Instructions for Xtreme Gravel Lock (VDW 520)

1. Construction Site Requirements

For pedestrian areas:

• A stable and well-compacted gravel/sand bedding layer.
• The depth of the PHNA Xtreme Gravel Lock should be a minimum of 1.5″ after compaction and finishing.

For vehicular traffic:

• The product must be laid on a permeable concrete or mortar bed
  • We recommend the PHNA Xtreme Trass Bedding Compound (vdw 480).
• All elements must be correctly designed and installed for the anticipated traffic loads and in accordance with ASTM.
• The Xtreme Gravel Lock cannot be used to compensate for any settlement of the sub-structure.

2. Preparation

• Clean the base material and any joint sides to ensure no contaminants or uncompacted materials are present.
• Mask any adjacent areas that are not to be jointed in order to prevent any spots or staining from the epoxy.
• We recommend a test area be prepared, particularly with any sensitive materials, before installation.

Material Preparation:

• Any dirty or dusty aggregates should be washed thoroughly and dried before mixing to avoid discoloration and/or loss of strength.
  • Aggregate may be damp but cannot be wet.

3. Mixing

Tools Needed:

• Heavy-duty paddle/drill mixer or suitable gravity mixer, large mixing tub, shovel, screeding tolls, and trowels.

Instructions:

• Add the appropriate amount of aggregate into the mixing tub or gravity mixer.
• Followed by the appropriate amount of both A & B components of the Xtreme Gravel Lock.
  • (The 5kg units of Xtreme Gravel Lock will have 1/4 markings on each bottle, each 1/4 to be mixed with a maximum of 60 lbs. aggregate.)
• Mix for 5 minutes until homogeneous.

Pro-Tip:

• For large areas where mixing more than 60 lbs. at one time may be necessary.
  • We recommend using a gravity mixer.
• Ensure the mixer is clean and has not been previously used to mix concrete or mortar.
• If using a gravity mixer, also adhere to the 5 minute mix time.
• Then, the material can be transferred to a clean wheelbarrow for transportation if needed.

4. Application

• Apply the freshly mixed material onto the prepared substrate.
• Spread and level off with appropriate screeding tools or a trowel, then compact and smooth the surface with a trowel.
• Material may get sticky and more difficult to work with after 30 minutes or in higher temperatures.

5. Important Instruction

• Remain off the freshly applied areas and protect them from heavy rain for a period of min. 24 hours. Then, the areas can be walked over carefully.
  • In general, a strength test should be carried out before final clearance of the area after 7 days.
• The practice has shown that there are minerals for which the epoxy used can produce special effects such as darkening.
  • Over time, this weathers off, and the mineral substance regains its natural color.
• In covered areas, the weathering process takes longer.
• With bright white minerals, a slightly yellowish color change may occur.
  • Color differences may occur until curing is complete, especially with strongly varying UV radiation.
  • These phenomena result from the contact between Xtreme Gravel Lock epoxy and mineral aggregate and are not a design defect.
• The gloss effect remaining after application will degrade over time from exposure to natural UV light.
• Despite careful processing, marginal detachment of individual grains cannot be ruled out.