Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical
Solvent- and styrene-free, two-component epoxy acrylate chemical anchoring adhesive for medium-to-high loads in hot, tropical climates.
Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical at a glance
The essentials specifiers and contractors ask first — answered straight from the product data, with links to go deeper.
What is it?
Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical is a two-component, solvent- and styrene-free anchoring adhesive based on epoxy acrylate (an acrylate-class resin, not a pure epoxy). It is supplied in a cartridge with a static mixing nozzle and is formulated for fast, reliable curing in hot and tropical site conditions.
Where is it used?
It is used to bond and anchor reinforcing steel (rebar), threaded rods, bolts and special fastening systems into concrete (including cracked concrete), solid masonry, steel and, with site testing, hard natural stone and solid rock.
Why use it?
The tropical grade is engineered to cure dependably at elevated temperatures (application window +15 °C to +40 °C) where many anchoring resins react too fast to place properly; it carries European Technical Assessments for both bonded anchors and post-installed rebar, is non-sag overhead, and is styrene-free for lower odour and easier handling on enclosed sites.
How is it applied?
Drill and thoroughly clean the hole, fit the cartridge with a fresh static mixing nozzle, discard the first stroke until the mixed resin is an even colour, then inject from the base of the hole outward and immediately set the rebar, rod or bolt with a twisting motion before the gel time elapses. Always work to the embedment depths, hole diameters and curing times in the current Sika Technical Data Sheet.
Key advantages
- Formulated for hot and tropical climates — cures reliably at application temperatures up to +40 °C where faster-reacting resins are hard to place
- Solvent- and styrene-free — lower odour and easier handling in enclosed or occupied spaces
- ETA-approved for both bonded anchors (ETA-14/0346) and post-installed rebar (ETA-13/0779), CE marked
- Suitable for cracked as well as uncracked concrete
- Non-sag consistency — performs in overhead and inclined holes without slumping
- Fixed 10:1 auto-metering through the static mixing nozzle removes hand-mixing error; standard guns can be used
- WRAS approval for contact with drinking water (Approval No. 1604543), widening potable-water applications
- Medium-to-high load capacity for structural and heavy fixings
Specifications
- Product type: Two-component, solvent- and styrene-free, epoxy acrylate based anchoring adhesive
- Mixing ratio: Component A : Component B = 10 : 1 by volume
- Packaging (India): 380 ml cartridge (12 per box) and 550 ml cartridge (12 per box)
- Application / substrate temperature: +15 °C to +40 °C (product, ambient and substrate)
- Service temperature: Long-term -40 °C to +50 °C; short-term (1–2 h) up to +80 °C
- Open (gel) time, Tgel: Approx. 15 min at +15 to +20 °C, reducing to approx. 3.5 min at +35 to +40 °C
- Curing time, Tcur: Approx. 5 h at +15 to +20 °C, reducing to approx. 40 min at +35 to +40 °C
- Substrates: Concrete (cracked and uncracked), solid masonry, steel; hard natural stone and solid rock subject to site testing
- Anchored elements: Rebar/reinforcing steel, threaded rods, bolts and special fastening systems
- Load class: Medium to high loads
- Approvals: ETA-14/0346 (bonded anchor, ETAG 001 Pt 1 & 5, Option 1); ETA-13/0779 (post-installed rebar); CE marked; WRAS drinking-water Approval 1604543; LEED attestation available
- Design / load & spacing data: Temperature- and configuration-dependent — request the current Sika Technical Data Sheet and ETA for full values
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About Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical
A plain-language overview of what Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical is, the problem it solves and how Space Arc Engineering positions it in a specification.
Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical is a high-performance chemical anchoring adhesive intended for medium-to-high load post-installed connections. A common point of confusion is its chemistry: despite being grouped with epoxy anchors, it is an epoxy acrylate (acrylate/methacrylate-class) resin, not a pure epoxy. That distinction matters in practice because acrylate-based anchors cure considerably faster than true epoxies, which is precisely what makes a 'Tropical' grade necessary — the formulation is tuned to remain workable and to cure correctly in the heat, rather than flashing off too quickly.
The product is supplied as a coaxial two-component cartridge. Resin and hardener are metered at a fixed 10:1 ratio by volume and combined automatically as they pass through the static mixing nozzle, so on site the applicator simply attaches a fresh nozzle, primes until the colour is uniform, and dispenses. Standard caulking-style guns can be used, and the paste is non-sag, holding its position in overhead and inclined holes without slumping.
As a distributor, Space Arc supplies Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical and supports correct specification and application — from confirming the right embedment and edge distances for your fixture, to advising on hole-cleaning discipline, which is the single biggest factor in achieving the rated bond. For project-specific design loads, always work from the current Sika Technical Data Sheet and the relevant ETA.
The technical insight
Why Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical behaves the way it does — the mechanism behind the performance, in specifier-friendly terms.
A chemical anchor works by bond, not by expansion. The mixed resin keys into the roughness of the drilled hole and grips the deformations of the rebar or the thread of the rod, transferring load through adhesion and mechanical interlock rather than by wedging against the concrete. Because there is no expansion force, bonded anchors can be placed closer to edges and to each other than mechanical expansion anchors, and they suit cracked concrete when the product is approved for it — Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical carries ETA-14/0346 for bonded anchors and ETA-13/0779 for post-installed rebar.
The 'Tropical' tuning is fundamentally about cure kinetics. Curing of an acrylate resin is exothermic and temperature-driven, so open (gel) time and full cure shorten sharply as temperature rises: the published open time runs from about 15 minutes at +15 to +20 °C down to roughly 3.5 minutes at +35 to +40 °C, with full cure from around 5 hours down to about 40 minutes across the same band. The practical consequence is that in hot conditions you have only a short window to set the element after dispensing — plan the sequence, mix only what you can place, and never disturb an anchor once gel has begun.
Where Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical is used
Typical applications Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical is specified for, supplied by Space Arc Engineering across Delhi NCR, Ghaziabad, Noida and Uttar Pradesh.
- Structural post-installed rebar connections (starter bars, dowels) into existing concrete
- Anchoring threaded rods and bolts for fixtures and brackets in concrete and solid masonry
- Overhead and inclined anchoring where a non-sag resin is required
- Heavy fixings and special fastening systems carrying medium-to-high loads
- Anchoring in cracked concrete where an ETA-approved bonded anchor is specified
- Fixings to potable-water structures where WRAS drinking-water approval is required
- Hot-climate and tropical site work where standard-cure anchors gel too quickly to place
Key advantages
The properties that make Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical the right choice — drawn from the manufacturer's product literature.
- Formulated for hot and tropical climates — cures reliably at application temperatures up to +40 °C where faster-reacting resins are hard to place
- Solvent- and styrene-free — lower odour and easier handling in enclosed or occupied spaces
- ETA-approved for both bonded anchors (ETA-14/0346) and post-installed rebar (ETA-13/0779), CE marked
- Suitable for cracked as well as uncracked concrete
- Non-sag consistency — performs in overhead and inclined holes without slumping
- Fixed 10:1 auto-metering through the static mixing nozzle removes hand-mixing error; standard guns can be used
- WRAS approval for contact with drinking water (Approval No. 1604543), widening potable-water applications
- Medium-to-high load capacity for structural and heavy fixings
Limitations & considerations
Where Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical is not the right answer. Check these constraints from the manufacturer before specifying — using it outside its scope is the most common cause of failure.
- Not a true epoxy — open time and cure are comparatively short, especially in heat; it is unsuitable where long working/repositioning time is needed (consider a slower epoxy-based anchor for very deep or numerous fixings in hot weather)
- Application is restricted to a substrate/ambient/product temperature window of +15 °C to +40 °C; outside this band the TDS conditions are not met
- Bond depends entirely on hole cleanliness — dust, standing water or debris in the hole drastically reduces capacity; brushing and blowing per the TDS are mandatory, not optional
- Beware condensation: the substrate must be kept clear of the dew point (typically at least 3 °C above) during application, so the product is not a free pass for genuinely wet or weeping holes
- Service temperature is bounded (long-term -40 °C to +50 °C, short-term to +80 °C); it is not a fire-rated or high-heat structural fixing, and design loads/edge/spacing values must come from the ETA and current TDS, not assumed
Selection & best practice
How to decide whether Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical fits your job — and how to apply it so the repair lasts.
Specify Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical when you need an ETA-approved bonded anchor or post-installed rebar connection and the work is happening in genuinely hot conditions where a standard-cure resin would gel before it can be set. If the priority is the longest possible working time for deep embedments or large rebar groups, a true epoxy anchor may be the better choice; if you only need a light-duty fixing in mild conditions, a more economical polyester or vinylester anchor will often suffice. For potable-water structures its WRAS approval is a deciding factor. Always confirm the design loads, embedment and edge/spacing requirements against the current Sika TDS and the relevant ETA for your fixture and substrate.
Application best practice
- Drill the hole to the diameter and depth specified in the TDS, then clean rigorously — blow out dust, brush the bore, and blow again; repeat the cycle as the TDS directs before injecting
- Discard the first stroke of resin from each new nozzle until the extruded paste is a uniform, streak-free colour, confirming the two components are properly mixed
- Inject from the bottom of the hole outward to avoid trapping air, and fill to roughly two-thirds depth so the element displaces resin back up the annulus as it is inserted
- Set the rebar, rod or bolt with a slow twisting motion and place it well within the gel time — in hot conditions this can be only a few minutes, so prepare and sequence the work beforehand
- Do not load or disturb the anchor until the full curing time for the prevailing temperature has elapsed; respect the dew-point margin and avoid application onto frozen or condensation-covered substrates
- Store and condition cartridges within the recommended range and use a fresh static mixer for each cartridge or after any significant interruption
Specifications
Indicative properties from the manufacturer's literature. Always confirm batch-specific values against the current TDS before specification.
| Product type | Two-component, solvent- and styrene-free, epoxy acrylate based anchoring adhesive |
|---|---|
| Mixing ratio | Component A : Component B = 10 : 1 by volume |
| Packaging (India) | 380 ml cartridge (12 per box) and 550 ml cartridge (12 per box) |
| Application / substrate temperature | +15 °C to +40 °C (product, ambient and substrate) |
| Service temperature | Long-term -40 °C to +50 °C; short-term (1–2 h) up to +80 °C |
| Open (gel) time, Tgel | Approx. 15 min at +15 to +20 °C, reducing to approx. 3.5 min at +35 to +40 °C |
| Curing time, Tcur | Approx. 5 h at +15 to +20 °C, reducing to approx. 40 min at +35 to +40 °C |
| Substrates | Concrete (cracked and uncracked), solid masonry, steel; hard natural stone and solid rock subject to site testing |
| Anchored elements | Rebar/reinforcing steel, threaded rods, bolts and special fastening systems |
| Load class | Medium to high loads |
| Approvals | ETA-14/0346 (bonded anchor, ETAG 001 Pt 1 & 5, Option 1); ETA-13/0779 (post-installed rebar); CE marked; WRAS drinking-water Approval 1604543; LEED attestation available |
| Design / load & spacing data | Temperature- and configuration-dependent — request the current Sika Technical Data Sheet and ETA for full values |
Coverage, dosage, pack sizes and cure times vary with substrate and conditions — request the full TDS for certified technical data.
Industry use cases
Real-world scenarios where Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical is the practical choice — the teams who reach for it and the jobs it does for them.
- Building construction and retrofit — connecting new structural elements to existing reinforced-concrete frames
- Infrastructure and bridge works — post-installed rebar and dowel connections in repair and widening projects
- Industrial plant — anchoring equipment baseplates and fixings into concrete foundations
- Water and sanitation — fixings in or around potable-water structures using the WRAS-approved grade
- Façade and fit-out trades — secure bracket and support fixings in concrete and solid masonry
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about specifying and sourcing Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical.
Is Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical an epoxy?
No — and this is a common misconception. It is an epoxy acrylate based resin, which belongs to the acrylate/methacrylate family rather than being a pure epoxy. In practice that means it cures faster than a true epoxy anchor, which is exactly why the 'Tropical' grade exists: the formulation is tuned to cure correctly in heat. If you specifically need the very long working time of a genuine epoxy, this is not the right product.
What is the mixing ratio and how is it mixed?
The two components are metered at a fixed 10:1 ratio by volume. You do not measure or mix by hand — the cartridge feeds both components through a static mixing nozzle that blends them automatically. Always discard the first stroke until the extruded resin is an even colour to confirm proper mixing.
What cartridge sizes are available in India?
Per the Sika India Technical Data Sheet, it is supplied in 380 ml and 550 ml standard cartridges, twelve per box. (Some regions list other sizes, but the India sizes are 380 ml and 550 ml.) Each cartridge is dispensed with a standard caulking gun fitted with the static mixing nozzle.
Can it be used in cracked concrete and overhead?
Yes. It is approved for use in cracked as well as uncracked concrete under ETA-14/0346, and its non-sag consistency means it holds in overhead and inclined holes without slumping. Design values for cracked-concrete conditions must be taken from the ETA and current TDS.
How long before I can load the anchor?
Both the open (gel) time and the full curing time are temperature-dependent and shorten as it gets hotter. The published curing time runs from roughly 5 hours at +15 to +20 °C down to about 40 minutes at +35 to +40 °C, with open time from about 15 minutes down to about 3.5 minutes over the same band. Do not disturb or load the anchor until the full curing time for the actual site temperature has passed.
Can it be used in wet or humid conditions?
It is designed for hot, tropical climates, but 'tropical' refers chiefly to high-temperature curing, not to wet holes. The substrate must be kept clear of the dew point (typically at least 3 °C above it) and free of condensation during application. It is not a substitute for a product rated for water-filled or weeping holes — check the TDS for the specific substrate-moisture conditions.
Is it suitable for drinking-water structures?
Yes — it holds a WRAS drinking-water approval (Approval No. 1604543), so it can be specified for fixings in contact with potable water where that certification is required. Always confirm the approval and any conditions of use against the current documentation for your project.
References
Manufacturer and technical sources this page draws on. Always confirm current data against the live TDS before specification.
Source Sika AnchorFix®-2+ Tropical for your project
Space Arc Engineering is an authorised distributor for Sika, serving Delhi NCR, Ghaziabad, Noida and Uttar Pradesh. Talk to us for pricing, the technical data sheet and on-site support.
Or email info@space-arc.com · www.space-arc.com