Adhesives

Loctite® Adhesives – a simple overview

A general rule for adhesives is that clean and grease free surfaces allow the best bonding performance. Below is a simple overview of some of the adhesives and associated products available from the Loctite® range – we have made every attempt to make this as accurate as possible but accept no liability or responsibility whatsoever should any information given be incorrect. The user should always refer to the latest material data sheets for each Loctite® product to confirm the recommended method(s) of application, material suitability and any other technical and safety information. If the user still has any doubt over Loctite® product selection, suitability and/or performance, they should contact Loctite® directly (www.henkel.com and www.loctite.co.uk).

Loctite® 326 with Loctite® 7649 Activator

This high strength, transparent yellow to amber, acrylic adhesive can be used to bond any magnet to steels. Spray Loctite® 7649 Activator on one of the surfaces to be adhered to (e.g. steel) and allow the surface to dry off. Put Loctite® 326 on the other surface (e.g. magnet) and bind, clamping in place. A stronger bond is achieved with a thinner glue line (e.g. 0.05mm). The bond will fixture in around 1 minute (fixturing takes longer with thicker glue lines). Full cure takes 24 hours or longer. Loctite® 7063 cleaner can be used to remove uncured adhesive (it has no effect on cured adhesive). The bond works from -55 deg C to +100 deg C. The adhesive bond can be weakened if the adhesive is heated to above +150 deg C which may allow the bond to be broken but this may also result in significant magnet demagnetisation depending on the magnet material in use. Visit www.henkel.com and www.loctite.co.uk for full and latest details.

Loctite® 3430 A&B

This ultraclear transparent two part epoxy adhesive is water resistant and is excellent for use on mild steel, good on other metals such as stainless steel, zinc and aluminium, acceptable on thermoplastics, very good on wood (use this instead of Loctite® 330 if the gaps are bigger), good on glass and acceptable to good on many rigid plastics. For up to date definitive suitability, please contact Loctite directly. It can also be used for filling gaps. The bond works from -55 deg C to +100 deg C. It appears to be a good “all rounder”. The two part epoxy needs to be mixed well, ideally applied to both surfaces and then assembled immediately – all should be done within 4 minutes. Fixture time is 12 to 15 minutes. Full cure takes at least 24 hours but is less if heat cured e.g.6 hours if at +40 deg C. The bond works from -55 deg C to +100 deg C. Visit www.henkel.com and www.loctite.co.uk for full and latest details.

Loctite® 9492 A&B

This white opaque two part epoxy adhesive offers excellent chemical resistance and is used for higher temperature applications. The bond works from -55 deg C to +180 deg C. The two part epoxy needs to be mixed well, ideally applied to both surfaces and then assembled immediately. Fixture time is 75 minutes and cure time is at least 24 hours but the cure time can be reduced if the cure temperature is raised e.g. 1 hour at +60 deg C. Visit www.henkel.com and www.loctite.co.uk for full and latest details.

Loctite® 415

This clear colourless slightly hazy to light yellow liquid cyanoacrylate adhesive can be used as a metal substrate bonder and is ideal for use with smaller magnets (Loctite® 326 or Loctite® 3430 A&B for larger magnets). Glue lines should be thin (e.g. 0.05mm). As it is not surface insensitive, it should not be used with paper and card. Loctite® 7455 Activator can be used to assist with curing (a light spray/dusting would be sufficient) but this impacts on final cure strength. Visit www.henkel.com and www.loctite.co.uk for full and latest details.

Loctite® 330 with Loctite® 7388 Activator

This toughened, slightly cloudy colourless to pale yellow, acrylic adhesive fixtures in 5 minutes. It is used for bonding larger magnets onto wood (best with small gaps, otherwise use Loctite® 3430) and can be used on metals. It is said to be good for use on plastics although but, to minimise any risk of an adhesive attacking plastics, the user should seek advice directly from Loctite for suitability on any plastic. Spray Loctite® 7388 Activator on one of the surfaces to be adhered to (e.g. steel). Put Loctite® 330 on the other surface (e.g. magnet) and bind within one minute, clamping in place. The bond will fixture in around 5 minutes (fixturing takes longer with thicker glue lines). Full cure takes 24 hours or longer. Visit www.henkel.com and www.loctite.co.uk for full and latest details.

Loctite® 454 and Loctite® 431

Loctite® 454 and Loctite® 431 are surface insensitive cyanoacrylates and can be used to bond to paper and card. Loctite® 454 is a gel adhesive. The bond works from -40 deg C to +100 deg C with fixturing occurring in 5 to 10 seconds. Loctite® 431 is also a gel adhesive but absorbs less easily into paper. The bond works from -40 deg C to +80 deg C with fixturing occurring in 5 to 10 seconds. Loctite® 431 can also be used as a plastic threadlock. Visit www.henkel.com and www.loctite.co.uk for full and latest details.

Loctite® 493

This cyanoacrylate adhesive is very thin and can be used for wicking into thin gaps. It requires a dispenser tip for best application (there are a variety of tips available). It is not surface insensitive. Visit www.henkel.com and www.loctite.co.uk for full and latest details.

Loctite® 480

This black cyanoacrylate is best for bonding magnets to rubber. The bond works from -40 deg C to +100 deg C with fixturing occurring in 60 to 90 seconds. Visit www.henkel.com and www.loctite.co.uk for full and latestdetails.

Loctite® 496 with Loctite® 770 primer

For gluing Ni-Cu-Ni plated NdFeB magnets onto polypropylene, it is recommended to put Loctite® 496 onto the magnets and Loctite® 770 primer on the polypropylene. Visit www.henkel.com and www.loctite.co.uk for full and latest details.

Threadlockers

Use Loctite® 431 for plastic threadlocks, Loctite® 243 for medium strength anti-tamper metal threadlock, Loctite® 243 or Loctite® 2701 for anti-vibration metal threadlock, Loctite® 222 for a metal threadlock that allows the screw/nut to be removed (low strength) and Loctite® 2701 for a permanent metal threadlock. Visit www.henkel.com and www.loctite.co.uk for full and latest details.

Fillers

Loctite® 9492 – white/cream, Loctite® 3423 – metallic grey, Loctite® 9461 – dark grey. Visit www.henkel.com and www.loctite.co.uk for full and latest details.