What are chemical anchors and how are they used?

What are Chemical Anchors?

Chemical anchors are a very useful solution to fix elements to hollow or solid materials such as bricks, concrete, stone, and porous concrete. This is achieved through the application of a resin inside a drilled hole in which a stud is inserted to withstand high loads.

This product is composed of the resin itself and a product called catalyst, which are mixed inside the mixing nozzle thanks to its inner spiral, causing both components to react and perform their task.

Types of Chemical Anchors

There are several types of resin compounds used in chemical anchors, each selected based on the specific application, material, and load requirements.

Polyester Resin (PL)

The polyester resin is ideal for construction applications, including solid and semi-hollow bricks, hollow blocks, and non-cracked concrete.

It performs well under medium working loads and is suitable for non-critical applications. Additionally, it is effective in wet substrates and dry internal structures, offering great versatility when used with metric threads.

Styrene-Free Polyester Resin (FREE-PL)

Like polyester resin, styrene-free polyester resin (FREE-PL) is suitable for a wide range of building materials and can handle medium loads in both wet and dry environments.

All of our styrene-free resins (FREE-PL, EPO-TECH and VE-PLUS) are designed for safety in confined work spaces. They are also suitable for use in submerged holes, except in sea water (only in non-cracked concrete) and are ideal for metric threads.

Styrene-Free Epoxy-Acrylate Resin (EPO-TECH)

The epoxy-acrylate resin (EPO-TECH) is perfect for damp or slightly damp surfaces and is effective in solid masonry, dry or wet concrete (Cat. 1), aerated concrete, wood, and other high-strength materials. It offers a wide range of applications in various construction projects.

Withstanding medium to high loads, this resin is ideal for applications with metric threads and corrugated rods and demonstrates excellent performance in submerged holes, except in sea water.

Styrene-Free Vinylester Resin (VE-PLUS)

The vinylester resin (VE-PLUS) is one of the most versatile options available, suitable for solid and semi-hollow bricks, hollow blocks, cracked and non-cracked concrete (both dry and wet), aerated concrete, and wood.

Similar to epoxy-acrylate resin (EPO-TECH), it can be used with metric threads and corrugated rods, and is effective in submerged holes (except in sea water).

Its high load-bearing capacity makes it ideal for extending existing concrete structures. Additionally, it offers optimal performance in various environmental conditions due to its insulating properties and fire resistance.

_{How Are Chemical Anchors Used?}

Chemical anchors are easy to install by following these 6 steps:

1. Drill the Surface

Start by drilling the surface where you want to place the chemical anchor. Make sure that you choose the right chemical anchor for the material you are using.

2. Clean the Drill Hole

After drilling, it is essential to clean out any residue to ensure good adhesion of the resin. Use a Chefix steel brush and a blow pump for this step.

3. Apply the Resin

Depending on the viscosity of the resin, use a lightweight or professional dispensing tool, and discard the first 5 to 10 centimetres of the mixture until it has a uniform colour and texture.

Afterwards, place the appropriate plug in the drilled hole to enhance fixation. For hollow materials, use a nylon sleeve plug to help distribute the resin. For solid materials, use an internal threaded sleeve, which is ideal for multiple construction applications.

4. Insert the Stud or Fastener

Once the resin has been applied, insert the chosen fastener (such as a screw, rod or stud) by turning it slightly to ensure proper adherence.

Please note that the resin will start to set quickly, so it is essential to insert the fastener immediately after filling the hole.

5. Allow for cure time

Each type of resin has a specific cure time, so it is important to read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and adhere to the specified time to ensure optimum performance.

6. Watch Our Application Tutorial

For a visual guide, watch our chemical anchor application tutorials on our YouTube channel. These videos demonstrate each step in detail, making the process easy to follow.

And that's it! We hope you have found this guide helpful. If you have any doubts or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by clicking here.