Choosing the Right Injection Packer: Steel, Aluminium or Plastic
Packers are the unsung heroes of crack injection. Learn which type to use for each substrate, pressure and budget.
Resins get the attention, but the humble packer is what makes injection possible. A packer seals the drilled hole, connects the injection pump to the crack, and holds pressure so resin goes where it should. Choose the wrong one and even the best resin will leak straight back out.
What a packer actually does
A packer is inserted into a hole drilled across the crack. It grips and seals the hole, and its non-return valve lets resin flow in while preventing it from flowing back. The result is a controlled, pressure-tight injection point.
Steel packers: the high-pressure workhorse
Steel mechanical packers expand a rubber sleeve against the drilled hole when tightened. They withstand very high injection pressures without leaking, making them the default for:
- Structural concrete repair
- Deep cracks and thick walls
- High-pressure PU and epoxy injection
They come in a range of diameters and lengths, with conical-head versions for quick coupling and flat-head versions with extended sleeves for hollow masonry.
Aluminium packers: lighter, corrosion-resistant
Aluminium packers work on the same mechanical principle but in a lighter, corrosion-resistant body. They are easy to handle on high-volume jobs and a sensible choice where corrosion is a concern.
Plastic packers: fast and economical
Plastic packers shine where speed and cost matter:
- Drive-in lamella packers are simply hammered into the hole — their flexible fins grip the bore and seal it without tightening.
- Adhesive packers are glued to the surface for low-pressure work with no deep drilling.
- Wedge packers are driven directly into an open crack, needing no drilling at all.
They handle moderate pressures and are ideal for volume waterproofing where you place hundreds of ports.
Matching packer to job
| Job | Best packer |
|---|---|
| High-pressure structural injection | Steel mechanical |
| Corrosion-sensitive environment | Aluminium |
| High-volume waterproofing | Plastic drive-in lamella |
| Hairline cracks / thin slabs | Surface adhesive |
| No drilling possible | Wedge or surface packer |
| Same-day removal required | Single-use one-day packer |
A few field tips
- Match the packer to the drill bit. A 10 mm packer needs a 10 mm hole; mismatches leak.
- Choose length for wall thickness. The packer must reach the crack at depth.
- Keep spares. Damaged sleeves and valves are the most common on-site stoppage.
The right packer makes injection faster, cleaner and far more reliable. Tell us about your substrate and pressure needs on WhatsApp, and we will recommend a packer line — samples available on request.