Concrete Fasteners Classification & Nomenclature

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Below is a table of the generic terms for each mechanical concrete fastener and the corresponding brand names (organized by the manufacturer selling fasteners in the United States).

Product Descriptions by Manufacturer

The descriptions below are taken directly from each manufacturers' websites and catalogs. They are used below as an example of how each manufacturer describes the specific product.

Concrete Fasteners, Inc.

Click on the links below for more detailed technical information about each of the specific types of concrete anchors:

• Wedge Anchor
• Sleeve Anchor
• Drop-in Anchor
• Concrete Screws
• Strike Anchor
• Hammer Drive
• Split Drive
• Machine Screw Anchor
• Lag Shield Anchor
• Nylon Nail-it
• Single Expansion Anchor
• Double Expansion Anchor

Hilti, Inc.

Wedge Anchor: With performance values that meet or exceed the Kwik Bolt II, the new KB3 boasts the best approval rating in its class.

Sleeve Anchor: Mechanical expansion bolts for fastening to concrete, masonry, hollow block or grout-filled block.

Drop-in Anchor: Internally threaded, flush mounted expansion anchor for use in concrete.

Concrete Screws: Tri-lobular design yields higher shear and tensile values, cuts stronger threads.

Hammer Drive: A drive-in type expansion anchor consisting of a drive pin and an alloy expanding body for light duty fastenings in concrete and masonry.

Simpson Strong-Tie, Inc.

Wedge Anchor: The Wedge-All® wedge anchors are a non-bottom bearing, wedge style expansion anchor for use in solid concrete or grout filled masonry. A one-piece clip ensures uniform holding capacity that increases as tension are applied. The threaded stud version is available in eight diameters and multiple lengths. A single size tie-wire version is available for wire-supported fixtures. Tightening the nut sets threaded studs. Tie-wire anchors are set with the claw end of a hammer.

Sleeve Anchor: Sleeve-All® sleeve anchors are pre-assembled expanding sleeve anchors for use in all types of solid base materials. These anchors are available in acorn, hex, rod coupler, flat or round head styles for a wide range of applications.

Drop-in Anchor: Drop-in anchors are internally threaded deformation-controlled expansion anchors with a pre-assembled expander plug, suitable for flush mount applications in solid base materials.

Concrete Screws: Titen® screws are 3/16" and 1/4" diameter masonry screws for attaching all types of components to concrete and masonry. Available in hex and Phillips head designs in three colors. Use with appropriately sized Titen drill bits included with each box.

Strike Anchor: The Easy-Set is a pin drive expansion anchor for medium and heavy-duty fastening applications into concrete and grout-filled block. Integrated nut and washer help keep track of parts.

Hammer Drive: Anchors are low-cost anchors for light-duty applications under static loads.

Split Drive: The Split Drive anchor is a one-piece anchor, with a split-type expansion mechanism on the working end. As the anchor is driven into the hole, the expansion mechanism compresses and exerts force against the walls of the hole. Can be installed in concrete, grout-filled block and stone. Available in mushroom, countersunk and duplex-head styles. The duplex head Split Drive is designed for temporary fastening applications and can be removed using a claw hammer.

Machine Screw Anchor: The ESA was the original internally-threaded mechanical anchor design. The malleable lead shield allows for secure mounting.

Lag Shield Anchor: The Lag Screw Expansion Shield is a die-cast zinc alloy expansion shield for anchoring lag screws in a variety of base materials, including concrete, concrete block, brick and mortar joints. Radial ribs provide additional holding power in softer material.

Single Expansion Anchor: The SMSA is a corrosion resistant, die-cast machine bolt anchor with a single internal expanding cone for use in concrete, concrete block, and brick.

Double Expansion Anchor: The DMSA utilizes the same basic anchor design as the SMSA but with double expansion cones to provide higher loads and better performance in base materials of questionable strength.

Powers Fasteners, Inc.

Wedge Anchor: The Power-Stud is a fully threaded, torque controlled, wedge expansion anchors, manufactured with a zinc plated carbon steel body- and expansion clip.

Sleeve Anchor: The Lok-Bolt™ anchor is a pre-assembled single unit sleeve anchor available in carbon steel and stainless steel, which can be used in concrete, block, brick, and stone. Extension sleeves are added to create longer lengths.

Drop-in Anchor: The Steel Drop-in is an all-steel, machine bolt anchor available in carbon steel and two types of stainless steel. It can be used in solid concrete, hard stone, and solid block. A coil-thread version for forming applications is also available.

Concrete Screws: The TAPPER™ Anchoring System is a family of screw anchors, specially designed drill bits and installation tools designed to meet the needs of most light to medium duty applications in concrete, block, and brick. The TAPPER™ concrete screw anchor is produced in either hex washer head or Phillips flat head styles from Perma-Seal™ coated or zinc plated carbon steel and Type 304 stainless steel. For heavy-duty applications, the 3/8" size is made in zinc plated carbon steel.

Hammer Drive: The Zamac Hammer-Screw® is a unique, one-step drive anchor featuring a Phillips type head and a screw thread for use in concrete, block, brick or stone. With a body formed from corrosion resistant Zamac alloy and a carbon or stainless steel drive screw, this anchor has been developed by Powers as an improvement over standard nailin anchors.

Machine Screw Anchor: The Calk-In™ is a pre-assembled precision cast calking type machine bolt anchor, which can be used in concrete, block, brick or stone. The anchor consists of an antimonial lead alloy calking sleeve and a Zamac alloy internally threaded expander cone.

Lag Shield Anchor: The Lag Shield™ is a screw-style anchor designed for use with lag bolts. It is suitable for use in concrete and the mortar joints of block or brick walls. Lag Shield™ anchors are formed from Zamac alloy. In harder masonry materials, short style Lag Shields are used to reduce drilling time. The long style version is used in soft or weak masonry to better develop strength.

Nylon Nail-it: The Nylon Nailin® is a pin drive anchor with a body formed from engineered nylon and nails available in carbon and stainless steel. The anchor can be used in concrete, block, or brick. This anchor is not recommended for applications overhead.

Single Expansion Anchor: The Single™ is a machine bolt anchor designed for use in concrete, and some block, brick and stone base materials. The anchor consists of a pre-assembled set of expansion shields and an expander cone formed from Zamac alloy.

Double Expansion Anchor: The Double™ is a dual expansion machine bolt anchor particularly suited for materials of questionable strength. It can be used in solid concrete and some block, brick and stone base materials.

ITW/Red Head

Wedge Anchor: Trubolt Wedge anchors feature a stainless steel expansion clip, threaded stud body, nut, and washer. Anchor bodies are made of plated carbon steel, hot-dipped galvanized carbon steel, type 304 stainless steel or type 316 stainless steel as identified in the drawings or other notations. Trubolt+ Wedge anchors consist of a high-strength threaded stud body, expansion clip, nut, and washer. Anchor bodies are made of plated carbon steel. The expansion clip consists of a split cylindrical ring with undercutting.

Sleeve Anchor: Sleeve type anchors feature a split expansion sleeve over a threaded stud bolt body and integral expander, nut, and washer.

Drop-in Anchor: Drop-In, shell type anchors feature an internally threaded, all-steel shell with expansion cone insert and flush embedment lip.

Concrete Screws: The "original masonry" anchor that cuts its own threads into concrete, brick, or block.

Hammer Drive: The Hammer-Set one-piece zinc-plated steel anchor consists of an expansion body and expander drive pin.

These detailed descriptions should help you determine the correct concrete anchor or fastener for your specific application. If you are still not sure what type of anchor is best for your unique application, contact us and we would be happy to help!

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