Anchors

An anchor is a special type of fastener designed for installation in solid, dense materials: concrete, building brick, natural stone. A wide range of anchor types is used in construction, but they share a common operating principle: this fastening element is combined with a mechanical or chemical device that increases the strength of the attachment in the material.

Anchors can be wedge, rod, drop-in, cast-in, or chemical. All varieties serve one purpose: to provide the strongest possible fixation, resistant to high loads.

Main types of anchors

An anchor, broadly speaking, is a fastening element for installation in hollow or solid material to ensure reliable adhesion between the base and the fastener. Anchor bolts are widely used in construction and finishing work; they are used to attach various structures to walls and floor/ceiling slabs. All varieties of anchor fasteners are divided into several groups:

• Drop-in anchors are the simplest in design. The fastener is inserted into a prepared hole of the required diameter, after which it is expanded with a special tool and securely fixed, and a fastening element is then screwed into it. In design, such anchors resemble wall plugs, but they have higher strength.
• Wedge anchors. These consist of an anchor and a screw with a head. The anchor is inserted into the hole, then a screw is driven into it, causing it to wedge and press firmly against the hole. The screw has a countersunk head, allowing it to be fully recessed into the material. This makes it possible to use it for installing door or window frames.
• Expansion anchors. Structurally, they are made as a bolt or stud with a conical tip. A sleeve with a longitudinal slit is placed over the shaft. As the nut is tightened, the shaft passes through the sleeve and causes it to expand, fixing it in the base. Expansion anchors can be equipped with a ring or hook for securing various structures.
• Chemical anchors. In this case, the role of the expanding element is played by a special resin that penetrates the porous material and binds it together. The fastener is embedded in it and securely fixed. This type of connection is the most reliable for installing fasteners in a porous base; it is practically impossible to remove without damaging the material.

The main types of anchors by operating principle are listed above; each type has its own specific variants. A wide range of fastening products makes it possible to select the most suitable option for a given construction task.

Materials and manufacturing features

Anchor bolts are designed to withstand high loads: they must be resistant to tension and shear, and reliably withstand pull-out from the base. For this reason, they are made from high-strength steels with a high content of alloying elements. Such fasteners are often made from stainless steel, which can withstand prolonged contact with moisture and aggressive environments. Brass anchor bolts are also in high demand: they are not subject to corrosion and have an attractive appearance, and can be used in various installation and finishing work.

Anchor bolts can be equipped with protective zinc, nickel, chrome, and other coatings to increase corrosion resistance. Such products last significantly longer and withstand exposure to moisture. Anchors made from corrosion-resistant materials can be used for outdoor installation.

Several types are distinguished depending on the configuration of the protruding part:

• Anchors with a nut. When tightened, it fully enters the sleeve due to its conical shape, which provides the expansion effect.
• Anchors with a ring. After installation, such bolts can be used to secure various hanging structures, including awnings, cables, and more.
• Anchors with a hook. It is suitable for securing various structures; the hook can have a straight or curved shape depending on its purpose.

The choice of the suitable option depends on the conditions of use.

Applications of anchors

Anchor fasteners of various types are used for installation in vertical and horizontal building structures: they are mounted in holes in walls and floor/ceiling slabs for the subsequent installation of various products. This is a reliable way to attach a load-bearing frame to a wall, ensure the installation of floor slabs, install hanging furniture, built-in cabinet components, and more.

Anchors are suitable for installation in solid and hollow materials where, for various reasons, ordinary plastic wall plugs cannot be used. They are firmly fixed in the base and resist various external influences. This type of fastener can withstand significant loads from attached structures due to the high strength of the materials. Frame-type anchors have become popular for securing window and door units.

Ordering products from FLOK

The FLOK catalogue features a wide range of anchor fastener types: products of various kinds are offered for use in construction and finishing work. FLOK supplies them in both small and large wholesale quantities.

The quality of the products complies with established standards.