In the realization of a plaster reinforced with fiber glass mesh (actually, with any other material) is strongly recommended to use connection systems that were gluing the mesh to the support so as to avoid detachements and, often, to connect a pass-through connection on both sides of the masonry on which it has intervened.
The solutions with which to perform that connection are multiple, both pre-packaged and to be built in building yard, starting from fiocco or bars in glass or carbon fiber. Kimia, trying to go beyond the traditional solutions, has developed an innovative connection system: Kimisteel CONNECT. Kimisteel CONNECT is a family of connectors of various shapes ("L", "I" and "U") and sizes, customizable on demand and made of stainless steel AISI 304 at high adherence that can be used for reinforced plasters and for fixing Kimisteel fabric reinforcement in steel fiber.
Kimisteel CONNECT is employed in combination with a load distributor, Kimisteel CONNECT RP, still in stainless steel, to be positioned between the connector and the mesh. This combination improves the effectiveness of the reinforced plaster intervention and has many technical advantages both in absolute way and relative to other connectivity solutions.
What are the advantages of Kimisteel CONNECT? 6 good reasons to choose it
- Provides shear strength (compared to FRP connectors)
The inherent shear strength of the steel with which Kimisteel CONNECT is made of, makes it extremely effective in lasting any sliding movement of the mesh. This resistance to movements along the surface is not obtainable with connectors in preformed fiberglass or FRP in general. Kimisteel CONNECT is also equipped with a higher tensile strength.
- Edges at improved adherence
The particular shape of the edges enhances the resistance to connector pull-out and, above all, makes it well sealing not only with resins, but also with mortars of different typology.
- Highly customizable
Optional connectors of different lengths are available on demand for different masonry thicknesses. Kimisteel CONNECT can be also used manually, directly on site. The manual crimping and the customizable length allow, by performing a single-through hole, to use the same connector on both sides of the wall. With pre-formed and unchangeable connectors, this solution is obviously impossible.
- Resistance to chemical attacks
The material with wich connectors are made of (stainless steel) makes them inherently more resistant to chemical attacks, typical of an alkaline environment. That, even compared to other type of steels such as galvanized ones.
- Load dividers in stainless steel
The dividers available for Kimisteel CONNECT are in stainless steel - as the connector - and offer the same durability features. It is strongly advised to use the dividers since the load is distributed over an area of about 10 times the sizes of the dimensions of the connector main head. Furthermore, their rigid nature provides a better distribution of the load with respect to connectors perfomed with cutouts of the same mesh that, even reinforced, maintains a certain degree of flexibility.
- Rapid application and reduced thicknesses
Kimisteel CONNECT is ready-to-use, thus, the application is much easier and faster than other solutions such as fiocchi or rods made of composite material. Furthermore, the coupled connector / divider has a thickness of a few millimeters by simplifying the covering system with mortar.
Kimia cycle
The plaster reinforced with fiber-glass mesh Kimitech WALLMESH, can be used either as a structural reinforcement of masonry that, properly connected to facilities, as a defensive reinforcement of the claddings. Kimia cycle provides:
- A first layer of rough coat using Tectoria M10 or M15.
- Placement of Kimitech WALLMESH drowning in mortar and being careful to overlap the edges for at least 15cm.
- After drying, drilling and positioning of Kimisteel CONNECT and grouting with appropriate mortar or resin.
- Application and smoothing of the second layer of plastering mortar Tectoria M10 or M15.