When project schedules compress, and traditional screed cure times threaten to stall an entire fit-out, Mapecem offers a faster path to finish. This specialised hydraulic binder system shortens the screed drying window significantly, enabling early access for trades and rapid installation of floor coverings.

Why this product exists

Mapecem is a purpose-built hydraulic binder formulated for fast-track screed construction. Instead of relying on conventional cement cure cycles, its advanced chemistry achieves shrinkage-compensated, high-strength screeds with dramatically reduced drying times. This product exists to prevent project delays on time-critical builds, ensuring that follow-on trades can commence tiling, timber, or resilient flooring installations quickly and confidently. It is specifically designed as a binder component to be mixed on-site with graded aggregates, providing a tailored screed solution rather than a pre-blended mortar. For projects requiring a factory pre-blended, ready-to-mix option, Mapecem Pronto is the appropriate alternative.

The numbers that matter

• Residual moisture less than 2% after 24 hours: This is the critical factor for rapid floor covering installation, especially for moisture-sensitive materials like timber and resilient flooring. Achieving this low moisture content within a day prevents delays and the need for extended dehumidification.
• Light foot traffic in 2-3 hours: The rapid early strength development means the screed can bear light foot traffic within hours, allowing trades access for minor adjustments or preparation without waiting overnight.
• Ready for ceramic tiles/stone in 3-4 hours; resilient/wood in 24 hours: This direct readiness for floor coverings dramatically reduces project timelines. Installers can begin their work on the same or next day, rather than waiting weeks for conventional screeds to cure and dry.
• Compressive strength up to 57 N/mm² (at 28 days for 450 kg/m³ mix): This high mechanical strength ensures the screed forms a durable, robust base capable of handling heavy static and dynamic loads, essential for commercial and industrial applications.

What it's like to use

Mapecem is mixed on-site with dry, clean, graded aggregates (0-8 mm) and water. The mixing process is critical and requires precision; ensure thorough mixing for 3-4 minutes to achieve a cohesive, workable mass. The mix has an open time of 20-30 minutes, requiring rapid spreading and levelling similar to traditional concrete screeds. Accurate water measurement is essential to control drying time and mechanical strength. Tools and equipment clean up readily with water immediately after use.

Where this product excels

• Time-critical commercial fit-outs: For retail, healthcare, or office projects where every day saved in construction translates directly to earlier operation. Mapecem enables rapid installation of all types of floor coverings.
• High-traffic commercial and industrial patching: In areas like supermarkets, airports, or hospitals, sections of screed can be repaired or replaced overnight, allowing the area to return to service rapidly.
• Underfloor heating systems: Its fast-drying and high-strength properties make it ideal for screeds encasing underfloor heating pipes, allowing the heating system to be commissioned just 4 days after installation.
• Moisture-sensitive flooring installations: When installing timber, PVC, or linoleum, the guaranteed low residual moisture (<2% in 24 hours) provides confidence, reducing the risk of moisture-related failures and callbacks.

How it fits in a real system

Mapecem serves as the foundational element for fast-track screed construction. For bonded screeds, a bonding slurry of Planicrete SP and Mapecem must be applied fresh-on-fresh to the prepared substrate to ensure maximum adhesion. For unbonded or floating screeds, a polyethylene sheet isolates the screed from the substrate, managing potential rising damp. Where underfloor heating is present, Mapecem screeds effectively encase the pipes, with reinforcing mesh placed above them. For resilient or timber flooring, follow AS 1884 guidelines for humidity and pH readings; in cases of rising damp, a Mapei waterproofing membrane can be applied after 4 hours, or a moisture vapour barrier like Primer MF or Mapeproof 1K Turbo if required over the screed itself.

Choose this when

• When rapid project turnaround is critical: Choose Mapecem to significantly reduce the waiting time before installing floor coverings, ensuring your project stays on schedule.
• When installing moisture-sensitive floor coverings: Its ability to achieve <2% residual moisture within 24 hours provides a safe and reliable base for timber, resilient, or textile finishes.
• When high mechanical strength is required: Opt for Mapecem where the screed needs to withstand significant static or dynamic loads, typical in commercial and industrial settings.
• When constructing bonded or floating screeds: Mapecem is suitable for both applications, offering flexibility in screed design while maintaining fast-drying and high-performance characteristics.

Don't use this when

• Not for: Mixing with other binders like cement, lime, or gypsum, as this will compromise its fast-setting chemistry and performance.
• Not for: Use with only fine sand; it requires graded aggregates (0-8 mm) to achieve the specified strength and workability.
• Not for: Dry mixing and prolonged storage before adding water; the product sets rapidly, requiring immediate use after mixing.
• Not for: Exceeding the recommended mixing or open times; its fast-setting nature means the mix must be spread and levelled within 20-30 minutes.
• Not for: Projects specifically requiring a factory pre-blended screed mortar; in these cases, Mapecem Pronto is the suitable alternative.