Stainless Wedge Anchors

Published by Robert Carlisle on Feb 22nd 2011

Purchase Wedge Anchors

Stainless wedge anchors are manufactured from 303, 304 or 316 stainless steel. The difference between the three stainless steel is that the percentage of nickel and chromium varies. The higher product numbers are made from a higher percentage of nickel and chromium. The 303 stainless wedge anchor is easier to machine. The 304 stainless wedge anchor provides greater rust resistance. The 316 stainless wedge anchor has the best corrosion resistance of all three grades of stainless wedge anchors.

Applications:

Stainless wedge anchors are designed to be used in solid concrete, and cannot be used in other masonry base materials such as brick or block. Stainless wedge anchors should be used in environments where moisture is present, which are submerged in water or where other chemical liquids are present.

Diameters:

The diameter of stainless wedge anchors to use for any particular application depends on a number of factors: the weight of the fixture being fastened, the holding values required or specified and the size of the hole in the fixture. Stainless steel wedge anchors are available in nine diameters: 1/4”, 5/16; 3/8”, 1/2”, 5/8”, 3/4”, 7/8”, 1” and 1-1/4”. Purchase sleeve anchors.

Although most manufacturers do not make stainless wedge anchors in the 5/16” or 7/8” diameter, Concrete Fasteners has all diameters in stock and ready for shipment.

Lengths:

Each diameter is available in a number of different lengths to accommodate different thickness of materials to be fastened while still maintaining minimum embedment requirements. The minimum length of stainless wedge anchor is determined by adding the thickness of the material to be fastened to the minimum embedment for the diameter of wedge anchor being installed plus the thickness of the nut and washer. The lengths range from 1-3/4” to 12”, depending on the diameter of stainless wedge anchor being used.

Minimum Embedment:

Each diameter of stainless wedge anchor has a specific minimum embedment. Placing a stainless wedge anchor at less than minimum embedments will drastically affect the holding values or may create a situation where no holding values exist at all.
The minimum embedment for the stainless wedge anchors sold by Concrete Fasteners is listed below:

Diameter	Minimum Embedment
1/4”	1-1/8”
5/16”	1-1/8”
3/8”	1-1/2”
1/2”	2-1/4”
5/8”	2-3/4”
3/4”	3-1/4”
7/8”	3-7/8”
1”	4-1/2”
1-1/4”	5-1/2’

Hole Size Equals Anchor Size:

All stainless wedge anchors require a hole to be drilled into the concrete before the anchor is placed into position. The hole diameter is critical and must be drilled using a hammer drill and a carbide drill bit that meets ANSI Standards. The hole diameter for any wedge anchor is equal to the diameter of the wedge anchor being installed. If a 3/8” diameter wedge anchor is being installed then a 3/8” hole must be drilled into the concrete.

Maximum Embedments:

Stainless wedge anchors do not have a maximum embedment depth. As a rule of thumb, the deeper the wedge anchor is embedded into the concrete then the better the holding values. If the wedge anchor is embedded deeper than the rebar in the concrete then the holding values become even greater. The problem with deeper embedments in concrete is that rebar may be hit and drilling through rebar for wedge anchors requires a completely different type of bits.

Diameter of Hole:

The diameter of the hole to drill into the concrete is equal to the diameter of the stainless wedge anchor that is being installed.
If a 5/8” stainless wedge anchor is being installed, a 5/8” hole must be drilled into the concrete. The hole must be drilled using a hammer drill in the hammer mode with use of a carbide tipped drill bit that meets ANSI standards. An ANSI standard carbide drill bit must be used to insure hole tolerance between anchor diameter and hole size.

Depth of Hole:

Stainless wedge anchors require that a hole is drilled into the concrete for the depth that will ensure minimum embedment requirements for the diameter being installed, plus 1/2 ”. This extra 1/2” allows space for any concrete dust created during the installation process to fall into, which could cause problems with the installation of the stainless wedge anchor.

Fixture Hole Diameter:

The diameter of the hole in the fixture being fastened must be slightly larger than the designated diameter of the stainless wedge anchor being installed if the fixture will be installed in place. If the fixture is in place and the stainless wedge anchor will be inserted through the hole in the fixture, into the concrete and then set, then the hole in the fixture must be slightly larger. The diameter of the hole in the fixture needs to be a minimum of 1/16” larger than the designated diameter of the stainless wedge anchor being used.

Installation:

Stainless wedge anchor installation video

Use a hammer drill and carbide tipped drill bit that meets ANSI standard and is the same diameter as the stainless wedge anchor being installed.
The depth of the hole should be drilled so that it is 1/2” deeper than the depth the stainless wedge anchor will penetrate the concrete. It is important that the depth of the hole will allow for a minimum depth of embedment for the diameter of wedge anchor being used.
With a wire brush, vacuum, and compressed air, clean the hole of all dust and debris.
Place the washer on the threaded end of the stainless wedge anchor and then thread the nut so that the top of the nut is flush with the top of the wedge anchor.
Insert the wedge anchor into the predrilled hole in the concrete, clipped end first. If the stainless wedge anchor is being installed through the hole in the fixture, make sure that the fixture hole is 1/16” larger in diameter than the diameter of stainless wedge anchor being installed.
Using a hammer, strike the nutted end of the stainless wedge anchor until a minimum of 6 threads are below the surface of either the concrete or the fixture being fastened.
Tighten the nut finger tight.
With a wrench, turn the nut clockwise 2 to 3 full turns or until the proper torque values for the diameter of wedge anchor being used is obtained.

Diameter	Torque Values Ft./Lbs.
1/4”	5-10
5/16”	5-10
3/8”	25-30
1/2”	50-60
5/8”	75-90
3/4”	150-175
7/8”	200-250
1”	250-300
1-1/4”	400-450