How does threadlocker work? Here’s everything you need to know about this handy product. We’ll explain when to use it, which kind to use, plus how to apply and remove it.
Mechanical fasteners like nuts and bolts can loosen over time from excessive vibration. Contact with corrosive elements like chemicals or water can also leave fasteners rusty, leaky and damaged.
Threadlockers are designed to prevent fasteners from loosening by coating the threads with a high-powered adhesive. They also protect against corrosion and rust buildup, making removal easier in the long run. This high-tech liquid adhesive seals and locks fasteners in place and provides a permanent air-tight hold that prevents corrosion, rust and leaks.
Different usage requires different threadlocker features, here are the factors to consider when choosing a threadlocker.
- Vibration – some threadlockers are appropriate for heavy vibration and some are best suited for less active substrates.
- Strength – threadlockers are available with different strength profiles. Some can be removed with hand tools, and others are more permanent and require mechanical tools and heat to remove.
- Temperature – threadlockers have different heat tolerances and will loosen with different temperatures.
For easy removal, consider Loctite Threadlocker Blue 242. It can be removed with hand tools making it appropriate for smaller motorized and non-motorized parts that need occasional servicing like car parts, water pumps, motorized yard equipment, bicycles, and furniture. Its medium strength formula is for use on threads from 6mm to 19mm (¼ inch to ¾ inch) nuts and bolts.
For parts that need a more permanent hold, like structural bolts in a home, auto suspensions, frames, and other heavy machinery, Loctite Threadlocker Red 271 is the best choice. This industrial-grade thread sealant can only be removed with heat and is for use on threads up to 25mm (1 inch).
No matter which threadlocker you choose, the application method is the same. Here’s how to use Loctite threadlocker.
- Clean the threads of the nuts and bolts, make sure they’re free from oil or dirt.
- Shake the bottle before use.
- Application
For Thru Holes: Apply several drops of the product onto the bolt at the nut engagement area.
For Blind Holes: Apply several drops of the product down the internal threads to the bottom of the hole.
For Sealing Applications: Apply a 360-degree bead of product to the leading threads of the male fitting, leaving the first thread free. Force the material into the threads to thoroughly fill the voids. For bigger threads and voids, adjust the product amount accordingly and apply a 360-degree bead of product to the female threads. - Assemble parts and tighten.
- Allow cure time (sets in 10 minutes, full cure in 24 hours).
Need to know how to open a joint previously fixed with Loctite threadlocker? For Loctite Threadlocker Blue 242, simply remove the bolt and nut with normal tools. Parts can also be loosened with methylene chloride.
Loctite Threadlocker Red 271, is formulated to be a high temp thread locker and requires localized heat to weaken the bond. To remove, heat the stud for 5 minutes at 450 degrees F (232C) and remove with a wrench and safety gloves.