A thread locker refers to the fluid you apply to fasteners' threads like bolts and screws. It prevents these tools from loosening, leaking, and at times corroding.
So, what does a thread locker do? Thread locking fluids serve as an adhesive to hold bolts, nuts, and screws in place. With this material, you can prevent loosening and other similar effects of stress and vibration.
It can also act as a replacement for traditional washers and fasteners. As an anaerobic chemical, thread lockers thrive without oxygen or free air. It forms a strong film filling the gaps between connection threads, locking them in place.
The various strains of thread lockers have different curing times, maximum strength, and temperature ranges.
Read on to learn what type of thread locker you should use!
What type of thread locker should I use?
You can choose from a wide range of thread locking fluids to best suit your needs.
Here's a list of the available thread lockers in our online store and where you can use them:
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8222 Thread Locker
- Low strength, fast curing
- Specially formulated for controlled friction and torque/tension ratio during assembly
- Best used for bonding and sealing of threads
- Ideal for small screws and fasteners under 6mm (¼”), particularly those loosening under vibration
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8242 Thread Locker
- Medium strength, fast curing
- Specially formulated for plated parts
- Best used for vibrating or moving components
- Ideal for fasteners between 6mm-20mm (¼-¾)
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8243 Thread Locker
- Medium strength
- Specially formulated for bonding and sealing threads of less active materials like stainless steel
- Highly resistant to gases, heat, hydrocarbons, oils, water, vibrations, and several other chemicals
- Ideal for fasteners between 6mm-20mm (¼-¾)
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8262 Thread Locker
- Medium to high strength compound
- Specially formulated for heavy-duty applications like bolts in transmission, construction equipment, or railroad assemblies
- Ideal for fasteners with diameters up to 25mm (1”)
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8263 Thread Locker
- High strength, fast curing
- A permanent compound that can fully replace double nutting and welding in some applications
- Best for preventing corrosion and leakage
- Has improved oil tolerance
- Has high resistance to gases, heat, hydrocarbons, oils, water, vibrations, and several other chemicals
- Ideal for fasteners up to 25mm (1”)
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8270 Thread Locker
- High strength, fast curing
- A permanent compound that can fully replace double nutting and welding in some applications
- Best for preventing corrosion and leakage
- Has high resistance to gases, heat, hydrocarbons, oils, water, vibrations, and several other chemicals
- Perfect for your fasteners that hold diameters at 25mm
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8272 Thread Locker
- High strength, fast curing
- Has a high temperature of up to 204 degrees
- Best used in sealing and locking studs, nuts, joint fittings, etc.
- Prevents loosening and leakage
- Has high resistance to gases, heat, hydrocarbons, oils, water, vibrations, and several other chemicals
- Ideal for fasteners up to 36mm (1-¼)
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8277 Thread Locker
- High strength, fast curing
- A permanent compound that can fully replace double nutting and welding in some applications
- Best for preventing corrosion and leakage
- Has high resistance to gases, heat, hydrocarbons, oils, water, vibrations, and several other chemicals
- Averts slackening and outflow from the disruptions of components in movement
- Suitable for locking and sealing larger bolts and studs
- Ideal for fasteners up to 25mm (1”)
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8290 Thread Locker
- Medium strength, fast curing
- A wicking grade thread locker
- Penetrates threads by capillary action
- Best used for sealing hairline cracks, small nuts and bolts, securing setscrews and other assemblies after being set up
- Ideal for fasteners up to 6mm (¼ )
Out of all these fluids, you’ll find that the most commonly used thread lockers are as follows:
How to use thread locker?
Before learning how to use a thread locker properly, you must prepare your workspace first. Clear all surfaces of any oil, chemical, or other debris. You must apply the fluid to the male thread of fasteners instead of the female thread to which you would insert it.
It's also best to start with a clean set of male and female threads. You can use mineral spirits, carb, or brake cleaner in disinfecting your area and industrial supplies. You can opt for an aerosol spray cleaner or primer to shorten the setting time. This chemical can clean the threads as well.
Here's a detailed guide of how to use thread locker:
- Add enough fluid to the joint so you can wet the threads as well. A single drop is normally a sufficient amount.
- Tighten normally.
- Remove the fastener by simply unthreading it.
- The pieces will fall apart quickly as you feel a fair amount of initial resistance.
- Clean and reapply each time you assemble the parts.
- Do not touch the bolt to the dispensing nipple on the container. Doing so will transfer metal ions to the plastic. With such contamination, you'll end up with a wasted vial of thread locker.
Thread Lockers can be used in an array of applications. Please always ensure that you are using quality and safe industrial supplies from your most trusted specialists in town.
Industrial & Automotive Parts is your expert partner in industrial supplies. For further assistance, don't hesitate to contact us. Our team of specialists are ready to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wicking grade thread locker?
This thread locker is suited for applications to nuts and bolts after their assembly is completed. A wicking grade thread locker penetrates the threads using capillary action.
Why does thread locker go hard in the bottle?
Thread Locker fluids that are contaminated with foreign material might harden inside a bottle. That's why you must avoid touching the tip of the bottle on the thread then sucking the fluid back in when applying the thread locker. This occurrence is the easiest way for contamination to manifest in the bottle.
Another reason could be when the bottle has been left under direct sunlight or left open. These instances will lead to the hardening of the fluid over time.
How to soften thread locker?
In cases of a hardened thread locker, the best way to return it in liquid form is with heat. Most thread lockers have temperature ranges of 150-200 degrees. Use an open flame on the components with a thread locker to turn it back into fluid or with a chewing gum texture.
There may be some chemicals with components that can soften the adhesive fluid. But as some types have high resistance to such, it may take some trial and error for them to work. You can use hand tools to disassemble thread lockers with low to medium strength.
