Repair Systems — 03 — Facade & External Envelope
Stainless helical DryFix friction wall tie
Supplier reference for Grade 316 stainless steel helical DryFix friction-fit remedial cavity wall ties for masonry facade remediation on Class 2 strata buildings. Installed without grout or resin — suited to conditions where wet installation is impractical. Compares Helifix BowTie DryFix and Thor Helical DryFix by installation system, load capacity, and regional distribution.
What are stainless helical DryFix friction-fit cavity wall ties?
DryFix helical ties are driven directly into pre-drilled holes without grout or resin — the helical profile provides friction engagement with the masonry. They are faster to install than grouted ties and are suited to conditions where wet installation is impractical: cold weather, restricted cavities, or tight programmes.
Product Reference
2 products — 2 brands — stainless helical DryFix friction-fit cavity wall ties — scroll to view all
System Description
Helifix BowTie DryFix is a Grade 316 stainless steel helical friction-fit tie that is driven directly into pre-drilled holes without grout or resin, providing immediate load transfer through friction engagement with the masonry. The BowTie profile creates a positive friction lock against the walls of the drilled hole in both the outer and inner masonry leaves. DryFix ties are faster to install than grout-in ties and are particularly suited to situations where grout injection into the cavity is impractical — for example, in rain or cold weather, or where cavity conditions prevent grout containment. Available in various lengths to suit different cavity widths and masonry configurations.
Technical Properties
- Fix type: DryFix friction — Grade 316 stainless steel — no grout or resin required
- BowTie helical profile — positive friction lock against walls of drilled hole in both masonry leaves
- AS 3700 compliant — immediate load transfer through friction engagement after installation
Limitations
- Lower load capacity than equivalent grout-in ties — confirm with engineer before specifying for heavy-duty zones
- Friction capacity depends on masonry hardness — soft or friable brick may not provide adequate friction engagement
- Not suitable as a like-for-like substitute for grout-in ties without engineer confirmation
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Description
Thor Helical DryFix is a Grade 316 stainless steel helical friction-fit cavity wall tie that is installed without grout or resin — driven directly into pre-drilled holes for immediate installation and use. The helical profile engages with both masonry leaves to provide friction resistance to tension and shear loads without the curing time required by grouted systems. Thor Helical DryFix ties are suited to remedial installations where rapid completion is required or where site conditions prevent wet grout installation. Available in standard and extended lengths to suit different cavity widths.
Technical Properties
- Fix type: DryFix friction — Grade 316 stainless steel — no grout or resin required
- Standard helical profile — immediate load capacity through friction engagement with masonry
- AS 3700 compliant — rotary hammer driven installation — no curing time
Limitations
- Load capacity is lower than grouted helical ties — engineer confirmation required for parapet and high-load zones
- Drilled hole diameter must be precisely matched to tie — obtain hole size specification from Thor Helical before drilling
- Soft or honeycombed masonry substrates may not provide adequate friction lock
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of stainless helical DryFix friction-fit cavity wall tie suppliers. Confirm all product selections against current manufacturer TDS before specifying.
| Supplier | Product | Profile | Grade | Grout | Installation | Key Feature | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helifix Australia | BowTie DryFix | BowTie helical | 316 SS | None | Rotary hammer driven | BowTie profile friction lock | Rapid no-grout tie replacement |
| Thor Helical Australia | Thor Helical DryFix | Standard helical | 316 SS | None | Rotary hammer driven | Immediate load capacity | Site conditions unsuitable for grout |
Do not confuse DryFix friction ties with:
- 6mm grout-in helical ties — the standard grouted helical tie for most residential applications, higher load capacity than DryFix — listed on the 6mm grout-in helical page
- 8mm heavy duty grout-in helical ties — grouted heavy-duty ties for parapets and high-load zones — listed on the 8mm heavy duty helical page
- Chemical resin anchor ties — resin-grouted ties with high load capacity in difficult substrates, different installation system — listed on the cavity ties — resin anchor page
- Mechanical expansion ties — torque-set expansion anchor ties, no grout or resin required but different failure mode to friction helical ties — listed on the cavity ties — mechanical expansion page
- New-build DryFix ties — standard friction helical ties used in new cavity masonry construction are not the same specification as remedial replacement ties; confirm suitability with supplier
Disclaimer
This page provides general technical information only. DryFix friction tie load capacity is lower than equivalent grout-in ties — structural engineer confirmation is required before specifying DryFix in lieu of grouted helical ties. Tie type, spacing, and embedment must be confirmed by a structural engineer against AS 3700.