Stainless Steel Drop-In Anchors

Internally Threaded Expansion Anchors for Concrete & Threaded Rod Installations

Internally threaded stainless mechanical anchors installed inside prepared concrete holes using a matched setting tool. Once fully set, the female thread accepts a separate bolt, screw or threaded rod.

Type

Internally Threaded Drop-In Anchor

Base Material

Concrete

Anchor System

Mechanical Expansion

Thread

Female Metric Thread

Materials

304 / A2, 316 / A4 Stainless Steel

Commercial Range

M6–M20

Installation

Setting Tool Expansion

Fastener Connection

Bolt / Threaded Rod After Setting

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Product Overview

Stainless Steel Drop-In Anchors are short cylindrical concrete inserts with an internal female thread, a slotted expandable lower body and an internal setting plug or cone. The anchor remains embedded in concrete; it is not an external-stud wedge anchor, sleeve anchor, strike anchor, chemical anchor or concrete screw.

Installation uses a correctly sized pre-drilled and cleaned hole. A matched setting tool transfers impact to the internal plug without striking or damaging the female-thread edges. The plug moves into the lower section and expands the four slotted petals against the hole wall. A separate bolt or threaded rod is installed only after the anchor is fully set.

For procurement, specify female thread and pitch, anchor OD and body length, usable thread depth, drill-hole and installation requirements, stainless grades for body and internal plug, compatible bolt or rod, quantity and project or approval requirements. Availability is confirmed per enquiry.

Technical Specifications

Product

Stainless Steel Drop-In Anchors

Alternative Names

Drop In Anchors / Female Thread Anchors / Internally Threaded Concrete Anchors / Expansion Insert Anchors

Anchor Type

Internally threaded mechanical expansion anchor

Primary Base Material

Solid concrete; reinforced concrete where project conditions permit

Installation Method

Pre-drilled and cleaned hole + matched setting tool

Expansion Mechanism

Internal plug or cone expands the four-slotted lower anchor body

Connection

Separate machine bolt, hex bolt, socket screw, threaded rod or stud after setting

Internal Thread

Metric female thread; usable engagement depth must be verified

Primary Materials

304 / A2 or 316 / A4 stainless steel

Complete System Material

Confirm anchor body and internal plug/cone grades; outer-body material alone does not define the entire system

Other Material

Carbon steel where required

Metric Range

M6–M20 commercial positioning; main sizes M6 / M8 / M10 / M12 / M16

Inch Thread

UNC or customer specification where actually available

d / D / L / Lt

Female thread size / anchor outside diameter / body length / usable female thread depth

d0 / h0

Drill-hole diameter / drill-hole depth, according to verified exact-model data

hnom / hs

Nominal installation or embedment depth / setting depth or plug position where applicable

Configurations

Standard flush or non-lipped; lipped or collared option where supplied

Supplied Component

Drop-in anchor; external bolt or rod is separate unless specified as an assembly

Optional Tool

Matched setting tool quoted separately where required

Surface Condition

Clean natural stainless; other agreed finishing or passivation requirements by quotation

Applications

Suspended services, pipe and cable supports, HVAC, equipment and removable fixtures

Inspection / Documentation

MTC or material report, dimensional and thread inspection, material verification and third-party inspection as agreed

Performance depends on the exact model, concrete condition, hole geometry, installation depth, setting procedure and connected fastener. For safety-critical work, use the tested or approved configuration specified by the project. No generic load, torque, embedment, edge distance, spacing, seismic, fire, cracked-concrete, ETA, CE or ICC-ES claim is made.

Setting Plug, Expansion & Thread Engagement

Before Installation

The internal setting plug or cone sits within the body above the four-slot expansion region; the lower petals are relatively unexpanded.

Drill & Clean

Hole diameter, depth and position must match the selected model. Remove dust according to its instructions; no universal cleaning cycle is assumed.

Insert Anchor

Position the anchor to the specified depth, approximately flush or recessed only where its geometry and instructions allow.

Matched Setting Tool

Use the tool corresponding to anchor diameter and design. It acts on the plug mechanism, not directly on the female-thread edges.

Plug Movement

Tool impact drives the internal plug toward the lower expansion section. Never simply hammer the threaded opening.

Four-Petal Expansion

The four equally spaced slotted lower sections expand outward against the concrete hole wall.

Setting Verification

Incomplete setting may produce insufficient expansion. Use the actual model or tool verification feature where present.

Female Thread After Setting

The internal thread remains open for a separate bolt or threaded rod; do not assume full body length equals usable thread depth.

Thread Engagement

Confirm sufficient engagement for the exact anchor and connected fastener. Do not bottom the bolt against the plug unless specifically designed.

Fastener Length

Depends on fixture thickness, washer if used, required engagement and project geometry; no universal bolt length applies.

Removable Fixture

A connected bolt can be removed while the properly set anchor remains embedded in concrete.

The illustration is schematic. Always follow the exact supplied anchor and matched setting-tool instructions.

304 / 316 Stainless Steel & Size Options

304 / A2 is commonly considered for general construction, machinery, industrial and suitable environmental exposure. 316 / A4 is preferred for coastal, marine, high-humidity and more corrosion-sensitive outdoor installations. Stainless steel is not corrosion-proof.

Common female threads include M6, M8, M10, M12, M16 and M20, with M6–M16 the main focus. Anchor OD and body length vary by thread size, design and manufacturer specification; an M10 internal thread does not imply a 10 mm anchor OD.

Confirm the body and internal plug materials together, plus the connected bolt or rod material and galvanic compatibility. Stock and availability of every size/material combination are not implied.

Anchor Body, Thread & OEM Supply

Purchasing Variables

Female thread size and pitch, outside diameter, body length, usable thread depth, expansion section, plug geometry, top lip/collar and grade

Supply Basis

Manufacturer specification, customer drawing, approved sample or project requirement

Compatible Fastener

Specify bolt or rod type, material, fixture thickness and required engagement; supplied separately unless ordered as an assembly

Packaging

Bags, inner boxes, export cartons, wooden pallet and customer or authorized private label by agreement

RFQ Checklist

Thread size, anchor length/OD, stainless grade for body and plug, concrete application, bolt/rod, quantity, setting tool and project approval requirement

Setting Verification & Quality Documentation

Dimensions

Check anchor OD, body length, internal thread depth, expansion section and collar/top geometry where present

Thread Inspection

Female-thread gauge fit, pitch, usable depth, burr condition and compatible bolt/rod fit

Expansion Components

Inspect exactly four expansion slots, internal plug/cone geometry, setting-tool fit, plug movement and expansion behavior

Material / Surface

Verify ordered body and plug materials, finish, burrs and overall surface condition

Installation Trial

Set in representative concrete or test fixture only under an agreed specified procedure; check full setting, thread usability and engagement

Testing / Documents

MTC/raw material report, dimensional, thread, material and setting/assembly inspection; test report only where actually performed; third-party support as agreed

Load testing and approvals apply only to verified exact products and project requirements. Documentation from another manufacturer or anchor configuration must not be transferred.

Applications

Threaded rods supported by drop-in anchors in a concrete ceiling HVAC installation

Suspended Pipe Supports

Internally threaded attachment points for suitable threaded-rod pipe suspension systems.

HVAC & Building Services

Selected ceiling-mounted supports, brackets and service installations where the specified anchor system is appropriate.

Cable Tray & Electrical Supports

Removable threaded-rod or bolt connections for compatible concrete applications.

Machinery & Equipment Fixtures

Bolts may be installed or removed while the set anchor remains embedded.

OEM & Project Anchor Supply

Female thread, body dimensions, stainless grade, setting tool and packaging supplied to agreed specification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Drop-In Anchor?

A short internally threaded mechanical expansion anchor set inside concrete using an internal plug/cone and matched setting tool. A separate bolt or threaded rod is installed afterward.

How is it different from a Wedge Anchor?

A wedge anchor has an external threaded stud projecting from concrete. A drop-in anchor remains embedded and provides a female thread for a later-installed removable fastener.

Is a setting tool required?

Normal drop-in installation requires the matched tool for the selected design and diameter. Do not hammer the female-thread opening directly.

Is the bolt or threaded rod included?

Not automatically. The connected fastener and setting tool are separate unless the quotation explicitly specifies an assembly.

Can VALTOR provide load data or approvals?

Only where verified for the exact model, dimensions, concrete and installation configuration. Generic values or another manufacturer’s approvals are not transferable.