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Articles, Fasteners

Elco’s Flex Technology Products are the Industry Leader in Critical Fastening

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Elco’s Flex Technology Line of Products Far Surpasses Any Standard Fastening Format Available

Delayed embrittlement is a common, but potentially catastrophic downfall that standard case hardened fasteners are subject to. Delayed embrittlement is brought on by the presence of hydrogen, which is generated in dissimilar metal applications. To combat this problem, Elco Construction Products has developed a line of fastening products that utilize Flex Technology. These Flex Technology fasteners were developed for high performance and to be virtually immune to delayed embrittlement failures. These fasteners are manufactured with special alloy materials that have received proprietary heat treatments and tempering processes. Flex Technology fasteners enhance the performance of critical connections and all feature a multi-layered, durable Stalgard corrosion resistant coating. Read on to learn more about some of these great Flex Technology Fasteners that are available to you.

Dril-Flex® Structural Self-Drilling Fasteners

Virtually Immune to Hydrogen-Assisted Stress Corrosion Cracking for Maximum Performance

Dril-Flex® Structural Self-Drilling Fasteners are designed to help prevent hydrogen-induced brittle failures. These fasteners are tested in accordance to ASTM standards, Dril-Flex® fasteners have proven to provide the same resistance to hydrogen-assisted cracking (HAC) as a Grade 5 fastener. Dril-Flex® fasteners are developed with the unique Flex Technology dual-hardening process. These fasteners are then finished with a silver Stalgard coating to provide a superior corrosion resistance and enhanced galvanic compatibility. The combination of the dual-hardening process along with the Stalgard coating, result in making Dril-Flex® fasteners the ideal fastening solution for demanding construction applications.

Features & BenefitsDril-Flex® Structural Self-Drilling Fasteners

  • Self-drilling point to ensures consistent, reliable drilling and tapping
  • Eliminates separate drilling and tapping operations
  • Higher hardness point and lead threads (HRC 52 min.)
  • Lower hardness load bearing threads (HRC 28-34)
  • Silver Stalgard corrosion resistant coating – superior to zinc or cadmium-based finishes
  • Virtually immune to delayed HASCC brittle failures
  • Provides the same high resistance to hydrogen-assisted failure as a Grade 5 fastener
  • Provides enhanced galvanic compatibility in dissimilar metal applications
  • Approvals: ICC ES ER-4780 Legacy Report; COLA (City of Los Angeles) Research Report #25095

Bi-Flex™ Bi-Metal Fasteners

Corrosion Resistance of 300 Series Stainless Steel and the Efficiency of Drill Screws

Bi-Flex™ Bi-Metal Fasteners utilize bi-metal technology to create a single, unique fastening system that resists visible corrosion and is virtually immune to hydrogen-induced stress corrosion failures. Bi-Flex™ fasteners are made from 300 series (18-8) stainless steel alloy to provide corrosion resistance in even the toughest environments. They feature a fused and hardened steel drill point and lead threads. This allows the Bi-Flex™ fasteners to quickly drill and tap structural steel and aluminum up to 1/2″ thick. These fasteners also feature a silver Stalgard® GB coating, a galvanic barrier helps protect aluminum components from accelerated corrosion when in contact with 300 series stainless steel. The dependability and ease of installation make Elco’s Bi-Flex™ Bi-Metal Fasteners the best choice for your toughest construction applications.

Features & BenefitsBi-Flex™ Bi-Metal Fasteners

  • Bi-metal technology – 300 series (18-8) stainless steel head and shank
  • Fused and hardened steel drill point
  • Quickly drill and tap into steel or aluminum up to 1/2″ thick
  • Silver-colored Stalgard® GB coating
  • Greater galvanic compatibility in dissimilar metal applications involving aluminum
  • Wide variety of sizes and head styles
  • Outstanding corrosion resistance and long service life
  • High strength, ductility, and reliability
  • Virtually immune to delayed embrittlement failures
  • High in-place value over the life of structures, components, and systems
  • Approvals: City of Los Angeles (COLA) Research Report: RR25886 (CSI #05 05 23)

Elco’s Family of Fastening Products Available at Tanner

At Tanner we pride ourselves on supplying you with the full line of Elco’s Flex Technology Fasteners, as well as their Metal Fasteners and Concrete Anchors. Some of these top brands include Aggre-Gator® Bi-Metal Masonry Fasteners, Alumi-Flex™ 302 Stainless Steel Self Drilling Screws, Tap-Flex® Thread Forming Structural Screws, UltraCon® Masonry Fasteners, and much more! Along with all these great Elco fasteners, Tanner also offers a wide variety of Standard Self Drilling Screws. In our Self Drilling Screws Department you will find 18-8 Stainless Steel, 410 Stainless Steel, and Carbon Steel options.

 

 

 

Anchors, Articles, Fasteners

Flex Technology, Is the Industry Leader in Critical Fastening

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Flex Technology

With the harsh winter winding down, it’s a good time to check out the damage that has been caused by the vast amounts of inclement weather. A huge danger from this type of prolonged inclement weather is delayed embrittlement failures. These failures are caused by the presence of hydrogen which is generated in dissimilar metal applications. Galvanic reactions between dissimilar metals such as aluminum and steel, in the presence of moisture, reduces detrimental hydrogen. This can destroy the integrity of fastener grain boundaries, leading to sudden and potentially catastrophic failures.

To cope with such failures, Elco Construction Products has developed a line of products that utilize Flex Technology. This state of the art technology incorporates high performance and near immunity to these delayed embrittlement failures. These fasteners are made from special alloy materials that receive proprietary heat treatments and tempering processes. The Flex Technology line of products far exceed any standard fastening formats available. They allow designers and system manufacturers to manage their risks and enhance the performance of critical connections. All Flex Technology products also feature Stalgard durable, multi-layer, corrosion-resistant coatings, which are engineered to provide optimal performance in demanding construction applications. These finishes are environmentally friendly and are free of chromates and silicates, that might induce hydrogen embrittlement, preventing structural failures. To be sure you have the best fasteners for critical connections on the market, shop for Flex Technology Fasteners here at TannerBolt.com.

Fasteners For Aluminum Applications and Anchors For Concrete ApplicationsSelf-Drilling & Self-Tapping Screws For Metal

 

Typical Flex Technology applications include:
Dissimilar metal applications
Windows, doors & skylights
Blast protection systems
Solar panel racking support systems
Building enclosures/envelope
Curtain wall systems, stone facades
Insulated metal panels

Flex Technology fasteners available here at Tanner include the following products.

 

Anchors, Articles, Fasteners

Hard Facts About Hardening

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Professional liability underwriters traditionally have perceived design/build as the most hazardous construction-related professional liability exposure. The combination of design activity, on-site supervisory presence and active participation in the actual construction add up to a high degree of control over an entire construction project. This greatly increases the probability that any problems with the ultimate result will be attributed to the design/builder. Flex Technology allows design/building professionals to manage risk and enhance the performance of critical connections.

When designing structural connections between dissimilar metals, attention must be paid to the galvanic reactions. If hardened-steel parts such as self-drilling screws are used for the connection, hydrogen assisted stress corrosion cracking is also a possibility.

Flex Technology fasteners with corrosion-preventative coating can avoid these dangers and protect the integrity of the structure. In exterior applications or aggressive interior environments, bi-metallic or super alloy fasteners are recommended.

For use in critical and dissimilar metal applications, windows, doors, curtain wall systems and solar panel racking systems to prevent fastener failure, the Flex Technology family of products surpasses any standard fastening format available.

The Flex Technology Product Line

For Metal Applications

• Dril-Flex® Structural Drill Screws

• Tap-Flex® Structural Tapping Screws

• Bi-Flex® 300 Series Stainless Steel Self Drilling Fasteners

For Concrete Applications

• Aggre-gator® 300 Series Stainless Anchors

For Aluminum Applications

• Alumi-Flex™ Stainless Steel Drill Screws

• AllFlex™ Stainless Steel Tapping Screws

Articles

The Right Type of Fastener Can Make the Difference Between Success and Failure

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Please find the following informative article detailing the use of selectively-hardened fasteners Bi-Flex and Dril-Flex in the construction of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami, Florida.

Selectively hardened fasteners with corrosion-preventative coating protect the integrity of the structure and avoid the dangers of hydrogen assisted stress corrosion cracking (HASCC), also known as delayed hydrogen embrittlement. In exterior applications or aggressive interior environments, bi-metallic or superalloy fasteners are recommended.

Labor-reduction associated with the new super alloy fasteners is expected to result in even more significant overall savings, especially on high-rise structures.

Please read further in the following pdf article, Small Details, Big Consequences

Articles, Fasteners

Stalgard® High-Performance Protective Coatings

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Stalgard® is a durable, multilayer, corrosion-resistant coating, engineered to provide optimal performance in demanding construction applications.

Tanner offers several quality fastening products that are coated with Stalgard® finish.  Fasteners coated with Stalgard finish typically show no red rust or other base metal corrosion on significant surfaces even after 800 hours of 5% neutral salt spray exposure (ASTM B117).

 

Tanner  fastening products with Stalgard Corrosion Resistance Finish:

UltraCon Concrete Screws

Drill-Flex Structural Self-Drilling Screws

Crete-Flex Stainless Steel Concrete Screws

Bi-Flex 300 Series Stainless Steel Self Drilling Screws

Aggre-Gator 300 Series Stainless Steel Bi-Metal Concrete Anchors


 

Anchors, Articles

300 Series Stainless Steel Fasteners

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Two new products have caught my eye recently, both 300 series stainless products with unique features. If your job requires fastening and anchoring in exposed, wet areas, coastal, aggressive environments these products are for you.

Bi-Flex™ Bi-Metal Self-Drilling Fasteners combine 300 series stainless steel corrosion resistance with the convenience of self-drilling.

Aggre-Gator™ 300 Series Stainless Steel Bi-Metal Concrete Anchors feature bi-metal technology: a 300 (18-8) stainless steel head and shank fused to hardened steel tapping threads and gimlet point.

Bi-flex-Aggre-Gator (PDF)