If you have worked with any type of concrete and fasteners, then you have seen the blue screw and heard the name Tapcon. They're tough and reliable fasteners. Well Tapcon is at it again with a new release of a larger diameter Tapcon. Tapcon released three new diameters.
1/2" x 6"
3/8" x 3", 3/8" x 4"
5/16" x 2" and 5/16 x 3"
The new Tapcons are said to install faster and be stronger than sleeve and wedge anchors, plus they are made in the USA. These are made to install into concrete, block and brick in a wide variety of residential, commercial and industrial applications. The new anchors have an Advance Threadform Technology which means 30% lower installation torque and 20% more holding power. The hardened tip cuts into concrete and block which also means increased pullout strength.
With other types of anchors, you have many steps. You assemble the anchor, drill the hole, clean the hole, pound the anchor in, then tighten fasteners. With the Tapcon, you drill, then drive which cuts down on the installation time. With this type of anchor, this also means you can use it closer to edges. A wedge anchor has to expand, so you can not use them as close to an edge. Since the Tapcon is more of a screw, you can get much closer to the edge because they don't expand. Also because it is more like a screw, you can remove them, where a wedge anchor you can not. Here is what Tapcon found with the new anchors.
"In comparative mechanical anchor testing done by the ITW Red Head Testing Laboratory, under International Accreditation Service listing TL-440, the ultimate tension load for the 3/8" Tapcon® Anchor was 10 percent higher than a wedge anchor and 28 percent higher than a sleeve anchor. The ultimate shear load for the 3/8" Tapcon® Anchor was 46 percent higher than a wedge anchor and 129 percent higher than a sleeve anchor.
The comparative testing of the 1/2" Tapcon® Anchor demonstrated that the ultimate tension load of the anchor was equal to a wedge anchor and 22 percent higher than a sleeve anchor. Upon review of the ultimate shear testing the 1/2" Tapcon® Anchor was 53 percent higher than a wedge anchor and 89 percent higher than a sleeve anchor."
