MTH A4 SS316 Stainless Steel Wedge Anchor

MTH A4 Wedge Anchor — SS316 Stainless Steel

SS316 / A4 solid stainless steel wedge anchor for non-cracked concrete, with European ETA7 approval and a 50-year service-life approval — built for marine, coastal and aggressive environments.

Stainless steel SS316 / A4ETA7 — Non-cracked concrete50-year service lifeFire resistance approvalMarine & pool corrosion resistanceStatic & quasi-static loads

The Adit wedge-anchor family

Choose the right wedge anchor for your concrete condition, environment and approval requirements.

Technical specification

PropertyMTH A4 — SS316 stainless steel wedge anchor, European approval
PropertiesStainless steel wedge anchor for non-cracked concrete
Raw materialStainless steel SS316 / A4
TechnologyWedge anchor (mechanical expansion)
Cracked concreteNo
SeismicNo
LoadsStatic and quasi-static
Service-life approval50 years
Fire resistanceYes — European fire resistance approval
StandardsEuropean ETA7 approval for non-cracked concrete

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Stainless steel wedge anchor: the complete guide

Everything you need to know about the MTH A4 stainless steel wedge anchor — from the working principle, through installation, all the way to corrosion protection in the harshest environments. This guide was written by the experts at Adit Ltd.

A stainless steel wedge anchor is a mechanical anchor for concrete used to fasten structures, installations and equipment by means of a mechanical expansion mechanism. After the hole is drilled and the nut is tightened, the expansion clip opens inside the concrete and creates a strong, secure anchorage capable of carrying particularly high tension and shear loads. The ADIT MTH A4 wedge anchor is intended for anchoring in non-cracked concrete and is suited to applications that demand maximum resistance to damp and aggressive environments.

A4 stainless steel and SS316: synonyms for uncompromising quality

In engineering and international standards, the terms A4 stainless steel and SS316 (Stainless Steel 316) are identical names for the same high-quality stainless steel alloy. A4 is the material designation under the European (ISO) standard, while SS316 is the designation under the American (AISI) standard. This alloy contains an essential addition of molybdenum, which gives the anchor exceptional resistance to corrosion, rust and chemical attack compared with more basic stainless steel such as A2 / SS304.

When is a stainless steel wedge anchor mandatory?

While a galvanized steel anchor is suitable for dry, indoor spaces, the MTH A4 stainless steel wedge anchor becomes mandatory in outdoor applications and in challenging environments:

  • Outdoor elements exposed to rain and moisture: steel structures, railings on open balconies, pergolas and canopies.
  • Proximity to the coastline (marine environment): high humidity combined with salt spray accelerates corrosion dramatically. A4 stainless steel is the standard solution for preventing engineering failure in these areas.
  • Infrastructure and chemical facilities: industrial plants, channels, external service systems and locations exposed to solvents or mild chemicals.

Advantages of the ADIT MTH A4 stainless steel wedge anchor

  • Complete protection against corrosion: maximum resistance to rust in outdoor applications, marine environments and damp coastal areas.
  • High load-bearing capacity: a rugged, reliable mechanical mechanism with excellent tension and shear performance in concrete.
  • Fast and simple installation: an intuitive process that saves working time and on-site resources.
  • Immediate loading after tightening: work and structural loading can continue immediately, with no curing or drying time.
  • Cost-effective: high-quality steel at a competitive price that eliminates the need to replace rusted anchors or perform future maintenance.
  • Safety and precision: the embedment depth is easy to identify by means of a mark stamped on the head of the anchor.

Galvanized anchor vs. A4 stainless steel wedge anchor

Engineering propertyADIT MTH (cold galvanized)ADIT MTH A4 (stainless steel)
Material and compositionCarbon steel with a cold galvanized coatingA4 stainless steel (SS316 alloy)
Recommended working environmentIndoor, enclosed, dry and protected from waterOutdoor, exposed, damp, marine and aggressive
Rust and corrosion resistanceBasic (depends on the integrity of the galvanized layer)Very high (inherent resistance thanks to the molybdenum)
Service life outdoorsLimited (may develop significant rust over the years)Particularly long (decades with no structural damage)

Cracked vs. non-cracked concrete

What is cracked concrete? An engineering condition in which there is a high probability of a hairline crack of up to 0.3 mm appearing in the installation area after installation, as a result of tensile loads in the concrete or the forces applied by the anchor itself. Many design offices define all concrete as cracked for extra safety, even though this is not necessarily required.

When do we choose MTH A4? The MTH A4 anchor is a professional, reliable solution for non-cracked concrete. If the engineering design specifically defines the area as cracked concrete, or requires seismic resistance (C1 / C2), choose an anchor with a matching ETA approval such as MTP A4.

Common uses of the stainless steel wedge anchor

The ADIT MTH A4 wedge anchor is especially suitable when a strong, fast and corrosion-resistant mechanical connection to concrete is required:

  • Fastening curtain walls and external cladding to buildings.
  • Anchoring safety railings and open balconies.
  • Steel structures and metal frames exposed to the elements.
  • Machinery and industrial equipment in damp, aggressive production environments.
  • Channels and external service systems.
  • Storage facilities, shelving and engineered equipment bases.
  • Installation of posts, lighting systems and pergolas.
  • Fixing outdoor electrical cabinets and heavy equipment.

On-site installation guide for a wedge anchor

The installation process is simple and fast, but requires precision to ensure load-bearing capacity:

  1. Drilling the hole — drill a hole in the concrete with a diameter exactly equal to the thread diameter of the wedge anchor.
  2. Thorough cleaning — clean the hole well of drilling dust. This is a critical step to prevent a reduction in the anchor’s holding capacity.
  3. Inserting the anchor — insert the stainless steel anchor into the cleaned hole using a hammer, to the required depth.
  4. Tightening to torque — tighten the nut with a torque wrench to the manufacturer’s recommended value. Tightening pulls the cone, opens the expansion clip and locks it into the concrete.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between MTP and MTH?
MTP (ETA1) is approved for cracked and non-cracked concrete, for seismic conditions C1-C2, for sprinklers and for dynamic loads. MTH (ETA7) is approved for non-cracked concrete only, with no seismic approval. If the design requires cracked concrete or seismic resistance — MTP is mandatory.
Which finish should I choose?
Cold galvanized (MTP-X / MTH) for dry indoor environments. Thermal-diffusion galvanizing 30-40 micron (MTP-G) for outdoors, the seashore and humidity. SS316 stainless steel (MTP A4 / MTH A4) for especially aggressive environments — pools, the food industry and chemicals.
What is a wedge anchor?
A wedge anchor is a through-set expansion anchor: you drill a hole, insert the anchor through the element, and tighten the nut. Tightening pulls the cone into the sleeve, the sleeve expands and locks the anchor against the wall of the drilled hole.
What is the difference between an A2 and an A4 stainless steel wedge anchor?
A2 stainless steel (equivalent to SS304) is suitable mainly for mildly damp environments or wet indoor spaces. A4 stainless steel (equivalent to SS316) contains an addition of molybdenum, giving it far superior resistance to extreme corrosion, salt spray in a marine environment, mild acids and outdoor applications under driving rain.
Can a stainless steel wedge anchor rust?
A4 stainless steel offers maximum resistance to rust and does not rust under normal atmospheric conditions, even in an outdoor marine environment. Direct exposure to very extreme chlorine concentrations (such as inside indoor swimming pools) or highly concentrated industrial acids may attack the material. For standard outdoor applications and buildings, A4 stainless steel provides ultimate protection.
What is the difference between a wedge anchor and a jumbo sleeve anchor?
While both operate on the principle of mechanical expansion, a wedge anchor requires a drilling diameter that matches the bolt’s thread diameter exactly and is generally intended for higher, more industrial loads. A jumbo sleeve anchor is wrapped in a full external sleeve and therefore requires a drilling diameter much larger than that of its internal bolt.
Can a stainless steel wedge anchor be used in a block or aerated-concrete (Ytong) wall?
No. Wedge anchors are designed to work only in cast, solid concrete. Activating the mechanical expansion mechanism inside a hollow block or an Ytong block will crush the substrate from within, create no grip and lead to immediate failure. For blocks, use chemical anchors (such as epoxy adhesive) or dedicated block anchors.
Can a wedge anchor be removed after it has been tightened on site?
Wedge anchors are intended for permanent installation and are very difficult to impossible to remove once tightened, without damaging the surrounding concrete. If an installation must be removed, the accepted method is to remove the nut, take off the element, and cut the protruding thread with a cutting disc (angle grinder) down to flush with the concrete surface.

Not sure which wedge anchor is right for you? Tell us the concrete type, the load and the environment — our engineers will recommend the correct model, diameter and finish.

Talk to our engineers