Tuf-Link is a superior water resistant concrete bonding adhesive and admixture, but it didn’t achieve that position without a lot of effort – 33 years of development background to be exact. It all started in 1980 when Jim Bowman & Associates developed a polymer curing compound for use with poured concrete and stucco. Slowing the cure of concrete products was an ongoing problem, especially in Florida’s hot summer weather. Burlap bags and water spray, which were awkward, time consuming, and expensive, were replaced by Cement and Stucco Bond.
The company became Dana Marine Laboratory, Inc. in 1989 and the product became well known as Dana Marine Labs Cement and Stucco Bond. The company’s expertise in cement bonding adhesives and admixtures grew as different additives were incorporated to the compound to enhance its performance. The name Tuf-Link and the Strong Man logo were introduced along with major product upgrades in 1995. Since then other improvements have continued to be made until Tuf-Link has become the recognized leader in the field.
Tuf-Link has been specified by architects as the bonding agent of choice for many major projects including Marlin’s Park, the 36,742 seat capacity home of the Miami Marlins, the seven million square foot Miami International Airport, and many high rise apartments and condominiums throughout Florida. Tuf-Link conforms to ASTM Standard C932 making it suitable for projects large or small.
Many stucco contractors chose Tuf-Bond as a bonding adhesive especially when working with sand or smooth texture block or poured concrete columns or lentils. Tuf-Link will not re-emulsify, re-wet, or re-tackify which is critical in eliminating bond failure and subsequent delamination of the stucco from the block. Its use saves time and money compared to wet cure methods.
Before long swimming pool marcite contractors discovered that Tuf-Link used as a primer, adhesive, and admixture greatly improved the end product. The workability, hydration and curing were noticeably better. Among the many benefits of its water resistance was the prevention rust bleed though from reinforcing steel. It also prevented mottling, increased plasticity, and was resistant to the destructive attack of pool chemicals, acids, body oils, and alkalis. Tuf-Link thus found many additional fans among marcite contractors.
Today, Tuf-Link is manufactured by Tuff-Products, LLC in Tampa, Florida. Tuff-Products also manufactures Tuf-Bond which is a less water resistant concrete adhesive and admixture intended for indoor use and in applications where water resistance and exceptional bond strength are less of a priority.
