INDEX TN4S: four-segment universal plug for different types of masonry

What makes a wall plug “smart”?

Concrete, solid or hollow brick, stone, plasterboard – the same plug, yet it works differently in each. Of course, it does not sense anything: the “smartness” lies in its geometry and its material.

When the screw passes through the plug and its tip and thread reach the rear part, tightening the screw does not simply push the plug outwards. The thread also pulls the rear part of the plug forwards, towards the screw head.

And this is where it gets really interesting: thanks to the design divided into four segments, the plug can change shape where and as far as the surrounding base material allows.

In a solid wall – it locks and presses into the hole

In concrete, stone or solid brick there is no room for the four segments to open out to any great extent.

As the rear part of the plug moves forwards when the screw is tightened, the nylon is compressed in the hole and presses outwards. The segments are pressed against the wall of the hole, and the plug grips the base material more and more firmly.

In hollow brick – it opens where it finds room

Something quite different happens in hollow brick. While the plug is in the solid part of the brick, the wall of the hole limits its expansion. But as soon as one of its sections reaches a cavity, it suddenly has room to change shape.

Here the four segments can open out and expand into the cavity. The way it works is also influenced by the internal structure of the brick.

This is one of the biggest advantages of the universal design: the same plug adapts in different ways to the solid and the hollow parts.

And what happens in plasterboard?

Here the action is perhaps even more striking. Once the plug has passed through the plasterboard sheet, there is no hole wall behind it to stop it from opening out. As the screw is tightened further, the four segments open out more and more and compress into a bulge.

Behind the sheet, this creates a knot-like, “bow-tie” shape that bears against the back of the plasterboard and helps to hold the fixing.

One plug – many base materials

Among other things, the INDEX TN4S can be used:

• in concrete and stone,
• in solid brick,
• in hollow brick and other hollow masonry units,
• in aerated concrete,
• in plasterboard and other board-type building materials.

This is especially practical when we do not know the base material exactly in advance – during a renovation, for example – or when we come across several kinds of masonry on one job. Fewer different plugs in the toolbox, yet a wide range of fixing tasks can be handled.

The plastic a plug is made of matters

The TN4S is made of PA6 nylon. This matters because a plug like this has to be sufficiently strong and flexible at the same time. During insertion, and then when the screw is tightened, it has to withstand considerable deformation without losing the mechanical properties needed for the fixing.

On top of this comes the carefully designed geometry of the four segments. The outer shape of the plug also works against rotation: while tightening, we do not want the plug to spin in the hole together with the screw. It seems like a small detail – until you have tried to cope with a plug that keeps spinning.

A good plug is simply a pleasure to work with.

• Easy to insert.
• Guides the screw properly.
• Behaves predictably when tightened.
• Does what a professional user expects of it: fixes quickly and reliably.

The result of the fixing also depends on the right screw, an accurate hole and careful installation. The installation data specified by the manufacturer must therefore be observed for every size.

From 5 to 14 mm

The TN4S is available in several sizes, so a suitable version can be chosen for anything from smaller fixings to tasks requiring a larger diameter.

The designation of a 6, 8 or 10 plug refers to its diameter. Also check the length, the right screw and the embedment depth. The plug diameter and the screw diameter are not the same.

And what happens to it in winter?

With a plastic plug, it is not only how it behaves in the hole that counts. The properties of the material matter too – especially when the fixing is outdoors. Some plastics can become more brittle at low temperatures, so the question is a fair one: what happens to the TN4S plug in winter?

INDEX answers this with a specific technical figure. According to the manufacturer’s data sheet, the service temperature range of the TN4S, made of PA6 nylon, is:

Between −40 °C and +70 °C.

Under Hungarian weather conditions, this range provides a considerable temperature margin even for outdoor use: a winter frost does not mean that the plug falls outside the service temperature range specified by the manufacturer. At the same time, this is a temperature figure for use in service; on its own, it does not mean that the complete assembly is suitable for any outdoor fixing.

For outdoor fixings, therefore, it is not only the plug you need to think about: the screw chosen for it and the fixing as a whole must also be suitable for the environment in question and the corrosion exposure that occurs there.

Looking for a Rawlplug plug and considering other brands too?

The Rawlplug brand name covers a range of fixings. If you need a universal nylon plug, take a look at the technical data of the INDEX TN4S as well.

In this article we present the INDEX TN4S product supplied by Menet-Trend. Products of the two brands cannot automatically be regarded as substitutes for one another: to make a choice, compare the exact type, the base material, the size and the permitted load.

If you have been using Rawlplug plugs so far, ask the same questions when choosing the TN4S as you would for any other plug: what base material are you fixing into, what hole size and which screw will you use, and what load does the fixing have to carry? You will find the suitable base materials in chapter 5 and the sizes in chapter 7; if you are unsure, request a quote and we will help you choose the right size.

Frequently asked questions

• Can the same size be used for every wall?
  No. The universal design allows a wide range of uses, but the right size and screw depend on the base material and the load.
• Which screw do I need for the plug?
  Choose the screw specified for the TN4S size in question. When determining the screw length, the thickness of the item being fixed must also be taken into account. If you have any questions, our sales team will be glad to help.
• Can I see my own purchase prices?
  With an existing, approved webshop account you can view your partner prices after logging in. If you do not have such an account yet, ask our team for a quote.

INDEX fixing technology – directly from the Hungarian representative

Menet-Trend Kft. is the Hungarian representative and importer of INDEX Fixing Systems.

We do not only offer TN4S plugs for small quantities: for regular or larger-volume purchasing, or even for resale, feel free to get in touch with us.

A good universal plug is not meant to behave the same way everywhere. It is meant to work in whatever base material it goes into, in the way that is needed there. That is what the TN4S is all about.