Chemical Anchor Cartridge Sizes: 390ml vs 585ml vs 600ml — Which One Do You Need?

Why Cartridge Size Matters More Than You Think

When specifying chemical anchors for a construction project, most engineers focus on resin chemistry — epoxy versus vinyl ester — and overlook a critical variable: cartridge volume. The difference between a 390ml and a 600ml cartridge is not simply "more resin." It determines how many anchor points you get per cartridge, how deep you can embed large-diameter rebar, and whether your installation crew finishes a bridge deck in one shift or two.

As a manufacturer producing chemical anchor systems since 2005, we have shipped over 2 million cartridges to projects across 40 countries. Here is a practical breakdown of the three most requested sizes.

Quick Comparison: 390ml vs 585ml vs 600ml

Specification	390ml Vinyl Ester (XQ-ZJ-V390)	585ml Epoxy (XQ-ZJ-E585)	600ml Epoxy (XQ-ZJ-E600)
Resin Type	Vinyl ester	Epoxy	Epoxy
Bond Strength	≥ 12 MPa	≥ 12 MPa	≥ 12 MPa
Compressive Strength	—	≥ 90 MPa	≥ 85 MPa
Rebar Range	Ø10–25 mm	Ø16–40 mm	Ø12–36 mm
Gel Time (25°C)	5 minutes	—	—
Working Time (25°C)	—	25 min	20 min
Full Cure (25°C)	45 minutes	24 hours	24 hours
Seismic Rating	C1	—	Suitable for seismic zones
Best For	Fast-track, small/medium rebar	Heavy-duty, large rebar	All-purpose heavy-duty

390ml Vinyl Ester: Speed Is Everything

The 390ml cartridge is our fastest-curing anchor adhesive. With a gel time of just 5 minutes and full load capacity in 45 minutes at 25°C, it is designed for projects where time is the primary constraint.

When to choose 390ml:

• High-throughput installations with 50 or more anchor points per day
• Rebar diameters up to Ø25 mm (covers most column-to-foundation connections)
• Seismic retrofit projects requiring C1-rated anchoring
• Renovation projects where scaffolding rental is billed hourly

Yield per cartridge: A 390ml cartridge typically handles 4 to 6 anchor points for Ø12 mm rebar at standard embedment depth (10 times the bar diameter). For Ø20 mm rebar, expect 2 to 3 anchor points per cartridge.

The trade-off is clear: vinyl ester cures fast but has a shorter working window. In hot climates above 35°C, the gel time drops to under 3 minutes — which means you must insert the rebar immediately after injection.

585ml Epoxy: The Heavy-Duty Standard

Our 585ml epoxy cartridge is the workhorse for large-diameter rebar planting. With a compressive strength exceeding 90 MPa and compatibility with rebar up to Ø40 mm, it handles the heaviest structural connections in bridge and building construction.

When to choose 585ml:

• Rebar diameters Ø16 mm and above — especially Ø25, Ø32, and Ø40 mm
• Deep embedment depths (15 to 20 times bar diameter)
• Overhead and downward installations where high viscosity prevents dripping
• Projects requiring maximum bond strength in C30 or higher concrete grades

Yield per cartridge: For Ø25 mm rebar at 15d embedment in C30 concrete, a single 585ml cartridge completes approximately 2 anchor points. For Ø16 mm rebar at 10d embedment, expect 5 to 6 anchor points.

The 25-minute working time gives installers enough time to properly position the rebar and make angular adjustments — critical for precision connections in seismic zones where rebar alignment affects structural ductility.

600ml Epoxy: Versatile All-Purpose

The 600ml epoxy cartridge bridges the gap between the 390ml speed format and the 585ml heavy-duty format. It covers a wide rebar range from Ø12 mm to Ø36 mm, making it a single-SKU solution for projects that use multiple rebar sizes.

When to choose 600ml:

• Projects using mixed rebar sizes (Ø12 through Ø36 mm) — one cartridge fits all
• Contractors who want to minimize SKU inventory on site
• Styrene-free, low-odor requirements for indoor or enclosed-space installations
• Standard to heavy-duty applications without extreme large-diameter needs

Yield per cartridge: The extra 15ml over the 585ml cartridge adds roughly one additional anchor point for smaller rebar sizes. For Ø16 mm rebar at 10d embedment, expect 6 to 7 anchor points per cartridge.

Installation Best Practices

Regardless of cartridge size, proper installation determines anchor performance:

Drill hole diameter: Standard is rebar diameter plus 4 to 6 mm. For a Ø20 mm rebar, drill a Ø24–26 mm hole.

Hole cleaning: Blow out dust with compressed air (minimum 6 bar), then brush with a round wire brush, then blow again. Repeat this sequence at least twice. Uncleaned holes can reduce bond strength by 30 to 50 percent.

Injection technique: Insert the mixer nozzle to the bottom of the hole. Inject slowly from the bottom upward, keeping the nozzle submerged in resin at all times. This prevents air pockets that weaken the bond.

Rebar insertion: Push the rebar into the hole with a slow rotating motion. Resin should flow out around the rebar at the hole surface — if it does not, the hole was not filled adequately.

Do not disturb: After rebar insertion, do not move or load the connection until full cure time has elapsed.

Cost Analysis: Price Per Anchor Point

For a typical Ø16 mm rebar installation at 10d embedment in C25 concrete:

Cartridge	Price Range (FOB China)	Anchor Points per Cartridge	Cost per Anchor Point
390ml Vinyl Ester	$3.50 – $5.00	4–5	$0.70 – $1.25
585ml Epoxy	$5.50 – $7.50	5–6	$0.92 – $1.50
600ml Epoxy	$5.80 – $7.80	6–7	$0.83 – $1.30

The 600ml cartridge often delivers the lowest cost per anchor point for Ø16 mm rebar, while the 585ml cartridge is more economical for Ø25 mm and above due to its higher compressive strength rating.

Which Size Should You Specify?

Choose 390ml if installation speed outweighs everything else — or if all your rebar is Ø25 mm or smaller and you need same-day load capacity. Choose 585ml if you are planting Ø25 mm or larger rebar in heavily loaded structural connections, especially bridge columns, foundation dowels, or shear walls. Choose 600ml if your project uses a mix of rebar sizes and you want one cartridge that handles everything from Ø12 mm to Ø36 mm with the best cost per anchor point ratio.

All three sizes are available from stock with standard lead time of 7 to 15 days. We provide free static mixer nozzles with every cartridge and can supply custom-printed labels for distributor branding.

View our complete chemical anchor range or request a quote with your project rebar schedule for a precise cartridge quantity calculation.