Best practices for using injection packers

Injection packers are frequently used in construction and manufacturing industries. They act as connectors between injection devices and structural elements to facilitate the injection of different kinds of materials, such as metal and Epoxy.

Just as an instance, plastic and steel packers are used for repairing cracks and sealing building structures. Connection with the pump is facilitated by button head or Zerk fittings which are towards the head of an injection packer.

Injection packers are specific kinds and available in a nice variety. Varied versions of packers are used depending on the properties of injection material and the structural element, and the pressure required.

Types of injection packers used as filler necks

The primary point of classification between surface packers and borehole packers is the type of connection made to the structural element. Borehole packers can be recognized by their cylindrical shape. Installation of borehole packers takes place in drill holes that are drilled for this purpose specifically, to act as filler necks.

Borehole packers are further classified as hammer-in packers and mechanical packers, and the distinction is made based upon the installation method used.

Surface packers, on the contrary, are filler necks. They are bonded to a crack, directly, and epoxy putty may be used for accomplishing the bonding. Whenever a non-destructive injection process is required, surface packers are used. No boreholes are drilled for use with surface packers.

In most cases, high-pressure fittings are the standard for all injection packers. But alternatives with low-pressure fittings are also available.

Best practices for using injection packers

Preparatory work

Before injection packers are put to use, some preparatory work is called for that primarily pertains to structural analysis. Specialists gauge the structural condition, the material used, and the planned injection pressure. Injection pressure is broadly classified as high pressure and low pressure.

Structural analysis delivers sound information about the type of injection packers that should be used for a project.

Installation

The size of boreholes drilled will depend on a site’s condition, and also on the packers used. In case mechanical packers are used, the diameter of boreholes should be 1mm larger than the packer’s diameter. However, when hammer-in packers are used, a borehole’s size will correspond to the packer’s diameter.

A few of the guidelines should be kept in mind for drilling boreholes. They are characteristically made slanting downwards at an angle of 30 to 45-degrees. This depends on a wall’s thickness.

Similarly, before the boreholes are put to use, the drilling dust should be removed.

Finishing work

The borehole or surface packers should be dismounted following the task. Similarly, hammer-in packers should be superficially knocked-off, and the patching should be removed wherever required. The boreholes should then be closed using the suitable mortar.