What are Adhesive Anchors?
Adhesive anchors, often called epoxy anchors or chemical anchors, bond threaded rod, bolts, or rebar into concrete, masonry, and stone. A two-part adhesive is dispensed into a drilled hole, then the steel is inserted and allowed to cure for a high-strength hold.
When should I use Adhesive Anchors?
- Heavy-duty fastening where high loads or close edge distances are required
- Rebar doweling and structural repairs
- Overhead or vertical installations with fast-gel formulations
- Masonry or hollow block using screen tubes to contain the adhesive
Why choose epoxy adhesive anchors
- Forms a chemical bond to the base material for excellent load capacity
- Works in solid concrete, brick, and block with the right accessories
- Options for cracked and uncracked concrete, and for damp holes when specified
- Low expanding—good near edges and for short spacings
Adhesive anchor system components
- Adhesive cartridges (epoxy or hybrid)
- Dispensing tools (manual or heavy-duty guns)
- Static mixing nozzles and extension tubes
- Hole cleaning brushes and blow-out tools to remove dust
- Screen tubes for hollow block and brick
- Stoppers/plugs to control backflow on overhead holes
Sizing and fit for Adhesive Anchors
- Pick the rod/rebar diameter required for your load and fixture
- Drill the hole size and embedment depth specified for the adhesive and steel size
- Use screen tubes sized to the hole when anchoring in hollow materials
Installation tips
- Drill to the specified depth and clean the hole thoroughly (brush, blow, brush, blow)
- Dispense adhesive until color is uniform, then fill the hole from the bottom up
- Insert the rod with a twisting motion to wet all sides; cap with a nut/washer after gel
- Respect gel time and cure time for the temperature before loading
Best practices and safety
- Wear eye and hand protection; follow product SDS and instructions
- Use approved formulations for cracked concrete, seismic, or overhead work when required
- Label set times in cold weather; keep cartridges conditioned for consistent flow
FAQs about Adhesive Anchors
Straightforward answers on selection, hole prep, and curing so you get consistent results.
- What base materials can I use epoxy anchors in?
Solid concrete, brick, and block. Use screen tubes for hollow units so the adhesive stays in place around the steel.
- How important is hole cleaning?
Critical. Dust reduces bond strength. Follow a brush–blow–brush–blow sequence before injecting adhesive.
- How much adhesive should I inject?
Fill from the bottom until the hole is about two-thirds full. Inserting the rod displaces the rest. Stop when a small bead appears at the top.
- Can I use adhesive anchors overhead?
Yes, with products rated for overhead use. Use stoppers or gel formulations to prevent backflow and hold the rod while it sets.
- What’s the difference between gel time and cure time?
Gel time is how long you have to place the rod after dispensing. Cure time is how long until the anchor can be loaded. Both change with temperature.
- Do adhesive anchors work in wet or cold holes?
Some formulations are designed for damp or low-temperature conditions. Check the product instructions for limits and set times.
- Which nozzle do I use?
Use the static mixing nozzle that ships with the cartridge. Replace the nozzle after any long pause to ensure proper mixing.
- Can I remove a bonded rod later?
The steel can be cut flush, but the bonded portion is permanent. Choose mechanical anchors if you anticipate future removal.