HK Composites creates several types of HK Wall Ties for use in insulated concrete sandwich panels. The ties (also known as “spikes” or “connectors”) are manufactured from high-performance, heat and alkaline resistant, engineered polymers.
Tilt-Up Installation Overview
The animation video below shows how the HK Standard (ST) ties are used in a typical tilt-up concrete sandwich panel.
Precast Installation Overview
The Science Channel put together a short overview as part of their “How it’s Made” series that demonstrates how precast insulated sandwich panels are constructed. The HK Standard (ST) ties are the key component to connecting these panels as seen starting at the 2:09 mark in this video.
General Overview Video
The step-by-step overview video below shows footage from a tilt-up construction project.
Insulated concrete sandwich panel construction techniques offer Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) benefits, fire protection, and low maintenance costs.
Insulated concrete sandwich panels can be used for almost any building project including wineries, warehouses, distribution facilities and so much more. At HK Composites, we have created a top of the line, concrete sandwich panel, filled with an injected molded polymer (XPS) and HK Tie connector system that enables walls to be as thin as possible, without sacrificing superior R-values.
In fact, our unique system has been proven to reduce the insulation R-value by less than 1%. Compare that to as much as 75% reduction with steel and/or typical solid concrete sections! HK Green Building Insulation Systems are designed to meet green building standards for better thermal protection and energy performance from longer-lasting, environmentally benign building materials.
We have the science to prove it
Our patented HK Tie molding products have been extensively tested by Owens Corning. HK Ties are engineered and reinforced thermopolymers. These thermopolymers are specifically designed to resist shock loads during precast and tilt-up construction processes. All HK Ties meet and/or surpass Owens Corning’s extensive fire, cyclic fatigue, long-term alkaline resistance, and building code test standards.
What goes around comes around
Most of our work, 60-70%, is repeat business. We understand what it means to gain client trust which is why we develop first-class, durable and sustainable concrete construction products. Our patented HK Tie system has been used successfully on many commercial buildings such as fruit processing, distribution, and storage facilities, factories, warehouses, retail stores, and government structures throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia, U.A.E., and Great Britain.
What are you waiting for? Contact our HK Composites experts for a free quote today.
Contact Us
Toll Free:
(800) 430-6316
International: +1 801-763-0907
Frequently Asked Questions
How do HK Ties work?
View the "How it Works" page to see a demonstration video.
Are HK Ties Tested?
Yes. Our patented low-conductivity polymer systems excel in tests for tensile strength, shearing, concrete pull-out, long term alkaline resistance, fire, cyclic fatigue, and many building code certifications. See HK testing reports here.
Do I save money using HK Ties?
Yes. Our simple manufacturing process used to make HK Ties, called thermoforming, reduces our output costs which increases your “bang for your buck”. Not only that, HK Ties reduce the R-value of the wall by less than 1% compared to as much as 75% reduction with steel and/or typical solid concrete section ties. This results in maximum energy savings!
Also, because HK Ties are manufactured using a simple process, they cost less to produce and we can pass along that savings to our users.
Does HK use fiberglass to make Ties?
Being the best means being different; we don’t use fiberglass in our HK Standard Ties. HK Standard Ties are made from an engineered reinforced thermoplastic, enabling our standard ties to be more durable than competitor ties. In contrast, HK Vertical Pour/ Modular Precast Ties and Composite Action Ties are made from a fiberglass reinforced thermoplastic.
Regardless of the engineered make-up, all HK Ties are designed to resist impact and shock loads during precast panel transportation and erection. The resin retains its strength at high temperature and provides maximum long-term chemical resistance.
Construction jobs come in many different shapes and sizes. Different jobs require different ties. Our HK Tie experts are here to help you find the best tie for your project. Contact us today!
Is plastic as strong as fiberglass?
Fiberglass is plastic—reinforced with glass fiber. Strength-wise, it is true that some types of fiberglass have a higher material tensile strength than HK Tie resins. However, high material tensile strength is only one factor responsible for the tensile capacity of a tie. The minimum cross-sectional area and manufacturing processes together with inherent material properties ultimately determine tie strength. The actual delivered tensile and shear strengths of HK Ties are many times higher than required.
The plastic used for the HK Standard Ties is a high-impact, high-temperature, chemical resistant engineered thermoplastic. The plastic used for the HK VP (Vertical Pour) and Modular Precast Ties is glass fiber reinforced.
Every job is another dragon to slay. We will help you get the job done cost-effectively, safely and as quickly as possible. Contact us today!
Can my project receive LEED points for using the HK Building system?
Yes. With the HK building system, you can go green and save green. HK Green Building Insulation Systems are designed to meet green building standards for better thermal protection and energy performance from longer-lasting, environmentally benign building materials.
The system is created using extruded polystyrene foam (XPS) insulation in-between two concrete wythes. Highly durable HK Ties, inserted into the XPS, have been proven to reduce the insulation R-value by less than 1% Compare that to as much as 75% reduction with steel and/or typical solid concrete sections! This small change can make a big difference! Start saving and contact us today.
Does HK offer a turnkey solution?
Yes. Our turnkey foam fabrication solution is one of many reasons why we are the concrete sandwich construction industry leader. We specialize in and have extensive experience with foam fabrication processes.
When the foam is fabricated, boards are pre-cut to fit architectural drawings. We make it easy for you as we provide specific foam layout drawings and pre-drill the XPS energy-efficient insulation board to accommodate HK Tie insertion. HK insulation foam boards come to the job site, placement ready. Bye, bye head scratching and complicated puzzles, hello revenue.