MARMOMASTIC-GEL

MARMOMASTIC-GEL/CLEAR is a high-strength, two-component polyester-based joint and crack filler designed specifically for natural and artificial stone surfaces. Formulated with an advanced polyester resin matrix and a dedicated paste hardener (mixed at a 100:2 ratio by weight), it combines excellent adhesion, fast curing kinetics, and a smooth, thixotropic gel-like consistency for clean, non-sag application on both horizontal surfaces and vertical walls.

MARMOMASTIC-GEL/CLEAR is available in a crystal-clear aesthetic formulation, making it the ideal choice for seamless, practically invisible repairs, edge mitres, and cavity fills on light-colored and white marbles, onyx, engineered stones, and composite quartz. Once cured, it exhibits high mechanical performance—developing compressive strength > 60 MPa, flexural strength > 25 MPa, and bond strength > 2.5 MPa—and can be ground, honed, and polished to match the specular gloss and texture of surrounding stone.

Key Highlights

• High-Clarity Clear Gel Formulation: Delivers transparent, non-yellowing aesthetic repair lines, ideal for light-colored marbles (Statuario, Thassos, Carrara), translucent onyx, and engineered composite quartz.
• Smooth Thixotropic Gel Consistency: Trowels effortlessly into hairline fissures and wide joints without dripping, sagging, or running on vertical surfaces.
• Rapid Setting & Fast Cure: Features a workable gel time of 35–60 minutes and tack-free drying within 60–80 minutes at 25°C, allowing fast workflow turnaround.
• High Mechanical Performance: Develops compressive strength > 60 MPa, flexural strength > 25 MPa, and tensile bond strength > 2.5 MPa.
• Machinable & High-Gloss Polishable: Once cured (12–24 hours), it can be mechanically sanded, diamond-honed, and buffed to match the natural sheen of polished stone.
• Chemical & Moisture Resistance: Resists water ingress and household cleaning chemicals post-cure, preventing degradation in wet utility zones and kitchens.
• Simple 100: 2 Proportioning: Easy batching by adding 2% hardener by weight to the polyester mastic base.

Technical Specifications

Parameter / Property	Specification / Value
Product Name	MARMOMASTIC-GEL/CLEAR
Chemical Base	Two-component polyester resin with hardener
Physical Appearance	Clear / Translucent thixotropic gel
Density	1.20 – 1.40 g/cm³
Mixing Ratio (Mastic : Hardener)	100 : 2 by weight (add 2% hardener by weight)
Gel Time at 25°C	35 – 60 minutes
Tack-Free Time at 25°C	60 – 80 minutes
Full Curing Time	12 – 24 hours (before sanding, machining, or polishing)
Compressive Strength	> 60 MPa (> 60 N/mm²)
Flexural Strength	> 25 MPa (> 25 N/mm²)
Bond Strength	> 2.5 MPa (> 2.5 N/mm²)
Application Temperature Range	+15°C to +35°C
Standard Packaging	1 Litre tins (with tube hardener)
Storage Temperature / Shelf Life	Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; keep tightly sealed

Application & Handling

Substrate Suitability & Preparation Compatible Substrates: Natural stones (marble, granite, limestone, travertine, onyx), engineered composite stone, artificial quartz slabs, terrazzo, and masonry. Bonding faces, joints, and cracks must be structurally sound, completely clean, dry, and free of dust, grease, oil, wax, laitance, or loose stone fragments. For surface preparation and degreasing, clean the stone using MARMOCLEANER-MILD and allow the area to dry thoroughly. Ensure the substrate is dry; moisture on the stone surface will inhibit polyester polymerization and reduce adhesion. Conduct a small trial patch in an inconspicuous area prior to large-scale application.

Proportioning & Mixing Instructions Measure the required quantity of MARMOMASTIC-GEL/CLEAR resin onto a clean, flat mixing board or palette. Add 2% hardener by weight (100 parts mastic to 2 parts hardener). Mix thoroughly using a flat spatula or putty knife until the hardener is completely dispersed and a uniform consistency is achieved. Use clean mixing tools and containers to prevent contamination. Do not alter the 100:2 mixing ratio: under-dosing causes incomplete, soft curing, while excessive hardener causes discoloration and embrittlement. Prepare only the amount of material that can be applied within its working pot life (gel time 35–60 minutes at 25°C).

Application Procedure Apply the mixed mastic immediately into the open crack, joint, or cavity using a clean spatula, putty knife, or trowel. Press the gel firmly into the voids to eliminate air bubbles and ensure complete consolidation. Clamp or mechanically support bonded pieces until the chemical has fully hardened. Scrape away excess mastic flush with the stone surface immediately before it hardens to simplify post-cure polishing.

Curing & Finishing Schedule Gel Time: 35 to 60 minutes at 25°C. Tack-Free Time: 60 to 80 minutes at 25°C. Full Cure & Machining: Allow the material to cure for 12 to 24 hours before mechanical sanding, diamond grinding, or polishing to match surrounding stone.

Do’s

• Ensure all bonding surfaces are completely clean, dry, and free of contaminants before application.
• Mix the resin and hardener thoroughly in the exact 100:2 ratio by weight.
• Use clean mixing tools to avoid cross-contamination.
• Carry out a trial application on an inconspicuous area or off-cut tile before starting large-scale work.
• Apply within the recommended working pot life.
• Clamp or support bonded components until curing is complete.
• Remove excess product immediately before it sets.
• Store in a cool, dry place with the lid tightly closed after each use.

Don’ts

• Do NOT alter the recommended resin-to-hardener mixing ratio.
• Do NOT apply on wet, damp, or contaminated surfaces.
• Do NOT use the product after its pot life has expired.
• Do NOT mix with bleach, acids, alkalis, or cleaning chemicals.
• Do NOT expose uncured adhesive to water, rain, or excessive moisture.
• Do NOT apply in ambient or substrate temperatures below +15°C or above +35°C.

Storage & Safety

Storage: Store 1L tins in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, open flames, and heat sources. Keep lids tightly sealed to prevent styrene evaporation and premature curing.

Handling: Use protective chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses during application. Ensure adequate cross-ventilation in enclosed work areas. Avoid skin and eye contact.

First aid:

• Skin Contact: Wash immediately with soap and water.
• Eye Contact: Rinse immediately with plenty of clean water and seek medical advice.
• Ingestion: Do not induce vomiting; seek medical attention immediately.
• Disposal: Dispose of unused residues and packaging responsibly according to local environmental regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is MARMOMASTIC-GEL/CLEAR?
MARMOMASTIC-GEL/CLEAR is a high-strength, two-component polyester-based joint and crack filler formulated for natural and artificial stones.

2. Why is the "Clear" formulation beneficial for marble repairs?
The clear version cures with optical transparency, allowing light to pass through and blend with light-colored stones like Statuario, Carrara, and onyx for invisible repair seams.

3. What is the mixing ratio of MARMOMASTIC-GEL/CLEAR?
The mixing ratio is 100 parts mastic resin to 2 parts hardener by weight (2% hardener by weight).

4. What happens if too much or too little hardener is used?
Adding less than 2% hardener leads to slow or incomplete curing and reduced hardness, while adding more than 2% causes fast gelation, brittleness, and potential yellowing.

5. Can MARMOMASTIC-GEL/CLEAR be used on vertical surfaces?
Yes. Its thixotropic gel-like consistency prevents sagging, dripping, or running down vertical walls, facades, and mitred edges.

6. What is the workable gel time at 25°C?
The gel time is approximately 35 to 60 minutes at 25°C.

7. How fast does MARMOMASTIC-GEL/CLEAR dry to a tack-free finish?
It achieves a tack-free surface within 60 to 80 minutes at 25°C.

8. When can the repaired stone be sanded and diamond polished?
Full curing takes 12 to 24 hours at 25°C, after which the surface can be mechanically sanded, diamond-honed, and polished flush with the stone.

9. Can MARMOMASTIC-GEL/CLEAR take a high polish?
Yes. Once fully cured, it polishes to a high specular gloss matching the natural reflectivity of surrounding polished marble and granite.

10. What is the compressive strength of MARMOMASTIC-GEL/CLEAR?
It develops a high compressive strength > 60 MPa (> 60 N/mm²), providing structural stability in joint repairs.

11. What is the flexural and bond strength?
It develops a flexural strength > 25 MPa and a bond strength to stone > 2.5 MPa.

12. Can it be tinted with color pigments?
Yes. Universal pigment pastes (e.g., MARMOTINT) can be blended into the clear mastic before adding hardener to match stone veining and base colors.

13. Is MARMOMASTIC-GEL/CLEAR suitable for granite and engineered quartz?
Yes. It provides strong adhesion to granite, marble, limestone, engineered composite stone, and quartz slabs.

14. Why must the stone surface be completely dry before application?
Polyester resins are moisture-sensitive during polymerization; moisture weakens adhesion and causes cloudy crystallization.

15. Can MARMOMASTIC-GEL/CLEAR be used in wet areas?
Yes. After full curing (12–24 hours), it resists water and mild household chemicals.

16. Why should excess mastic be scraped away before it cures?
Scraping excess material flush with the joint while soft saves significant labor time during post-cure grinding and prevents scratching surrounding stone.

17. What is the allowable application temperature range?
It should be applied in ambient and substrate temperatures between +15°C and +35°C.

18. What packaging size is available?
It is supplied in 1 Litre tins accompanied by a tube of paste hardener.

19. How should unopened and opened tins be stored?
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight; ensure lids are sealed tightly to prevent styrene solvent evaporation.