Overview of fixing technology     

Chemical Resin Anchor Fixings                                                                     

There are a large amount of chemical resins available in the UK market. Brands include Rawl, Fischer, Hilti, ITW Construction Products, Spit, JCP & Fix8. The choice of resin used depends on a number of situations and this guide will try and help you through the selection.

Chemical resin cartridge systems are usually a two-part resin system, which mixes in a special nozzle as the product is extruded into the hole. All resins offer expansion free anchoring, which allows close to edge fixing and reduced spacing requirements.

Styrene In Chemical Resins

Chemical resins sometimes contain styrene, which is a colourless liquid that is a component of materials used in many every day applications. In chemical resins it an addative that is used to impact fluidity onto the resin. It has a slightly sweet smell but in confined spaces can be unpleasant. It has been defined as a weak toxin and there is a little bit of a stigma in the industry about styrene and cancer, although no definitive proof exists.

Rawl R-KEM+ Cartridge

Rawl R-KEM+ is a high performance, styrene free system that is suitable for use in concrete, and other solid or hollow masonry structures. One of its main features is that it fits into a standard 300 or 400ml skeleton gun. This makes it ideal for small user or for some who does not want to invest in a dedicated resin gun but still requires the high performance. R-KEM+ technical information.

Rawl R-KF2 Polyester Resin Cartridge

Rawl R-KF2 is a general purpose polyester resin for concrete, brickwork, blockwork & stone either solid and hollow structures*. Polyester resins are probably the most common type of resin sold in the UK and is the most cost effective resin solution. It comes in a larger 380ml cartridge and requires a special 380ml resin gun and is more suited to a regular user of chemical resin anchors or a resonable size one off requirement. Rawl R-KF2 technical information. 

FIX8-EASFR Epoxy Acrylate Styrene Resin Cartridge   

Fix8 FIX8-EASFR is a high performance, styrene free low odour resin system. It is a very versatile resin and suitable for use in concrete, brickwork, blockwork, stone, marble, rebar & wet/under water conditions. It is also non-flammable and non-hazedous making storage simple without the user having to worry about expensive chemical or fire resistant storage areas. FIX8-EASFR technical information.

Each resin has a different content mix, which gives the resin different properties once extruded such as possible loads, application suitability, length of time to cure plus minimum and maximum temperature operation to name but a few.

The different types of resin contents are as follows:

• Heavy duty & critical loads
• European Technical Approvals (ETA)
• Rail & Utility Approvals
• Non-flammable & non-hazardous
• For use in dry, wet & underwater holes
• Ideal for indoor use - low odour
• Styrene Free
• Good chemical resistance

It is suitable for overhead applications and typical applications include fixing of steel constructions, rebar, curtain walling, balustrading, railings, consoles, ladders, machines, cable tray, staircases, gates, facades, window elements, high racks canopies and stand off installations.

• For use in concrete, hollow wall, brickwork & masonary
• Economical fixing resin
• Medium duty load applications
• Fast curing in normal conditions