Selleys Liquid Nails Timberflex: Technical Details, Specifications, and Features

Product Overview

Selleys Liquid Nails Timberflex is a flexible, trowel-grade adhesive specifically engineered for timber flooring applications. Manufactured by Selleys (a division of DuluxGroup Australia Pty Ltd), this product represents a modern solution for bonding various types of wood flooring to diverse substrates using Advanced Polymer Technology formulation.

Key Features

Adhesive Performance

• Superior Coverage: Advanced formulation provides exceptional adhesion, allowing greater coverage of approximately 20 m²/10L pail using a Direct Stick trowel on plywood substrate
• Excellent Adhesion: Demonstrates superior adhesion to most building materials
• Flexible Formula: The product's flexible composition allows it to respond to normal movement without losing bond strength
• Trowel Grade Application: Designed for easy spreading and application with appropriate trowel techniques
• Easy Cleanup: Can be easily removed from prefinished floorboards, tools, and hands

Environmental and Safety Characteristics

• Low VOC Content: Contains 32 g/L of volatile organic compounds, meeting Green Building Council environmental requirements
• Isocyanate Free: Formulated without polyurethane, reducing chemical sensitization risks
• Solvent-Free: Environmentally responsible formulation without harsh solvents
• Non-Hazardous Classification: Not classified as hazardous according to Safe Work Australia GHS 7 criteria
• Non-Dangerous Goods: Not classified as dangerous goods under Australian Code for Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road & Rail or New Zealand NZS5433

Application Advantages

• Temperature Flexibility: Effective at application temperatures ranging from 5°C to 40°C
• Excellent Ridge Formation: Provides optimal adhesive ridge stability for superior coverage
• Good Wet Grab: Delivers immediate initial hold on application
• Low Odor: Minimal odor during application, making it suitable for occupied spaces

Technical Specifications

Property	Specification
Technology	Silyl Modified Polymer (SMP)
Color	Oak
Density	1.77
Application Temperature	5°C - 40°C
Cure Time	24 hours
Working Time (25°C, 50% RH)	45 minutes
Tensile Strength (ASTM D412)	Approximately 1.3 MPa
Bond Strength in Tensile Shear (wood to wood)	Approximately 1.3 MPa
Operating Temperature Range	-10°C to +60°C
VOC Content	32 g/L

Suitable Applications

Flooring Types

Liquid Nails Timberflex is compatible with the following flooring materials:

• Solid timber flooring
• Engineered strip and sheet timber flooring
• Prefinished engineered overlay
• Bamboo flooring
• Parquetry (decorative wood flooring)

Substrate Materials

The adhesive successfully bonds to:

• Concrete surfaces
• Timber substrates
• Plywood
• Particle board
• Pre-existing strip flooring
• Fibre cement sheets
• Acoustic matting

Product Specifications and Packaging

Available Sizes and Product Codes

Packaging Type	Size	Product Code	Barcode
Pail	10 litre (17.7kg)	100066	9300697124753
Sausage	600ml	100067	9300697129826
Bucket	7kg	103431	9300697133144

Recommended Use Classification

• Primary Use: Flooring adhesive
• Product Category: Wood Flooring and Laminate Adhesives and Sealants

Green Building Compliance

VOC Certification: Timberflex Flooring Adhesive meets the volatile organic compound content requirements of:

• Green Star Design & As Built V1.3-13.1.1B specification established by Green Building Council of Australia
• Green Star Interiors V1.3-12.1.1B specification with measured VOC content of only 2 grams per litre

Testing was conducted by FORAY Laboratories (NATA Accreditation 1231) in August 2022 using ASTM D3960 & ASTM D2369 test methods.

Surface Preparation Requirements

Before application of Liquid Nails Timberflex, proper surface preparation is essential:

• All surfaces must be clean, sound, and level to within 3mm in 3 meters
• Concrete moisture content must be less than 5.5%
• Moisture vapour transmission must be less than 15 g/m² per 24 hours
• Concrete surfaces should have a finish equivalent to steel trowel application
• Grind concrete to remove high spots, surface contaminants, and weak surface layers
• Sand timber substrates to remove contaminants and flatten raised joints
• Liquid Nails VBS Vapour Barrier is recommended over ground-level concrete to prevent moisture migration

Application Methodology

Trowel Specifications

• For direct stick to concrete: Use a 6mm v-notch trowel at 13mm centres
• For parquetry and direct stick of strip overlay to structural sheet timber: Use a standard 3.2mm v-notch trowel
• Achieve at least 85% adhesive coverage between overlay and sub-floor to avoid hollow spots and drumming

Installation Process

• Scoop or pour adhesive from the pail onto the application surface
• Use Selleys Direct Stick trowel to spread adhesive over surfaces that can be covered within 20 minutes
• Set strip overlay or parquet directly onto prepared adhesive with minimal sideways movement
• Apply adequate pressure to ensure adhesive contact on each individual board
• For sausages, adhesive may be applied directly to the back of the board
• Fastening or weighting is recommended to secure timber during the 24-hour curing period

Safety and Hazard Information

First Aid Response:

• In case of poisoning, contact a doctor or Poisons Information Centre (Australia 131 126; New Zealand 0800 764 766)
• Suitable personal protection equipment includes nitrile rubber gloves for intermittent contact
• Wear safety shoes, overalls, gloves, and safety glasses during application
• Always wash hands before smoking, eating, drinking, or using the toilet

Fire Fighting:

• If material is involved in a fire, use water fog, alcohol-resistant foam, standard foam, or dry agent (carbon dioxide, dry chemical powder)
• Material is combustible; on burning or decomposing may emit toxic fumes
• Fire fighters should wear self-contained breathing apparatus and suitable protective clothing if risk of exposure exists

Customer Support and Technical Consultation

Selleys Technical Services is available for consultation regarding:

• Floor contamination concerns
• Moisture-related issues
• Application questions and troubleshooting

Contact Information:

• Telephone: 1300 555 205
• Emergency: Australia 1800 220 770; New Zealand 0800 220 770
• Website: www.selleys.com or www.selleys.com.au
• Email: selleysau@selleys.com

Limitations and Considerations

• Cure rate will be inhibited if air or substrate surface temperature is below 5°C
• Professional consultation recommended for floors with contamination concerns or moisture issues
• A self-levelling compound may be required in certain situations
• Must comply with all Australian Standards, NCC/NZBC requirements, and best practices for timber floor installation

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References

• [1] liquid-nails-timberflex-v-2-2-tds-7-3-25.pdf
• [3] voc-certificate-selleys-liquid-nails-timberflex-adhesive.pdf
• [10] SELLEYS_TIMBERFLEX-AUS_GHS.pdf
• [11] SELLEYS_LIQUID_NAILS_TIMBERFLEX-AUS_GHS.pdf