Chemical Anchors (Chemset-Style)

How chemical anchors work

A chemical anchor is a two-part resin and hardener. They mix as they pass through the nozzle, and the reaction bonds the steel rod or rebar to the concrete or masonry in a drilled hole. A mechanical anchor holds by expanding against the hole; a chemical anchor holds by bonding, so it suits close edge and spacing distances and heavy, safety critical fixings.

Uses include structural connections, base plates, posts, facades and rebar dowelling; bollards, balustrades, safety rails and car park fencing; and light towers, landscaping and tunnelling.

Which chemical anchor: epoxy, hybrid, vinylester or polyester?

In the XCHEM PRO range a higher product number means higher performance. The approvals for each are printed on the cartridge.

Cracked concrete, Option 1 and 7, seismic C1 and C2

• •Option 1 covers cracked and non-cracked concrete, loaded in any direction. Option 7 covers non-cracked concrete only.
• •Seismic C1 is for non-structural components (which can still be safety critical), tested with a 0.5mm crack. C2 is for structural components, tested with a 0.8mm crack.
• •Cracked concrete and higher seismic categories reduce the load an anchor can hold, so a C2 approval does not mean the largest design loads.
• •AS 5216 is the Australian standard for post-installed fastenings in concrete, referenced by the National Construction Code. Chemical anchors comply by being assessed to EAD 330499, summarised in their ETA.

Installing a chemical anchor

Not sure how much resin a job needs? Hobson's chemical volume calculator works it out from the hole size and number of holes.

1. Drill the hole to the diameter and depth for the rod size in the product data sheet. Use the slow cure E701 epoxy for core-drilled holes.
2. Clean the hole of all dust as set out in the product instructions: a dusty hole will not bond.
3. Fit the mixing nozzle. Always use the nozzle supplied, as it mixes the resin and hardener correctly. Each cartridge comes with two.
4. Pump the first resin to waste until it comes out an even colour, then fill the hole from the bottom up.
5. Push the rod in with a slight twist and leave it undisturbed for the gel time, then do not load it until the cure time. Both depend on the temperature of the concrete and are printed on the cartridge.
6. In hollow masonry, fill a mesh sleeve rather than the open hole. E701 epoxy is not suitable for hollow masonry.

Chemical anchors in Adelaide

Allmat supplies chemical anchors, guns, nozzles, mesh sleeves and threaded rod to builders, concreters and steel fixers across Adelaide and South Australia. Add them to a quote with the rest of your list, and we will price the lot.

Questions