Loctite Adhesive Selection Chart — Threadlockers, Gasket Makers, Retaining Compounds & Cleaners (222, 243, 262, 271, 277, 290, 518, 574, 638, 7063)

Loctite anaerobic product selection: threadlockers (222 low-strength, 243/2400 medium, 262 high, 271 permanent, 277 large-thread), retaining compounds (601, 638, 641, 648, 660, 680), gasket makers (510, 515, 518, 574, 5188), instant adhesives (401, 406, 480, 495, 496) and cleaners/primers (7063 general, 7649 primer, 7471 activator). Each product mapped to thread size, gap fill (mm), fixture and full-cure times, temperature range, strength and typical application. Cross-reference to Permabond, 3M, Anaerobic Adhesives (AA) and Vibra-TITE equivalents.

Loctite adhesive selection — threadlockers, gaskets, retaining, cleaners

Henkel's Loctite anaerobic range spans four functional families used across marine, oil & gas, wind, industrial machinery and vehicle assembly: threadlockers that prevent bolted joint loosening under vibration, retaining compounds that bond concentric parts (bearings on shafts, sleeves in bores), gasket makers that form in-place flange gaskets, and surface-preparation products (cleaners, primers, activators) that make the anaerobic cure work on inactive metals. Every Loctite anaerobic cures without oxygen once trapped between two close-fitting metal surfaces; the cure time depends on the substrate (active vs inactive) and the gap width. The tables below map each product to the joint size, gap, cure time and strength you need — and identify equivalents in the Permabond, 3M and Vibra-TITE ranges.

Threadlocker selection by thread size and strength

The blue-red-green colour code is Loctite's cross-catalogue shorthand: blue = medium strength, removable with hand tools (most common); red = high strength, needs heat to remove (permanent-in-service); purple = low, small-thread bolts and set-screws; green = wicking grade for pre-assembled fasteners. Pick 243 (blue, medium) as the default M6-M20 threadlocker; move to 271 for M25 and up, or to 277 for M25-M56 heavy studs. Loctite 290 is the answer to "the fasteners are already in place and I can't disassemble them" — its low-viscosity wicking grade capillary-flows down thread interstices under the head.

Retaining compound selection by gap width

Match the retaining compound to the diametric gap between the bore and the shaft — not the radial clearance. Use 638 as the workshop default for bearing races, keyways and slip-fit bushings up to 0.25 mm gap. Choose 660 for a "quick repair" service where the bore has been worn oversize and the gap is up to 0.50 mm. For high-temperature service (turbine casings, exhaust manifolds), 620 is the anaerobic that survives 230 °C; above that, thermal-cure epoxies replace anaerobics.

Gasket makers (form-in-place flange gaskets)

Loctite 518 is the industry default anaerobic gasket maker for machined metal flanges up to 0.25 mm gap — pump housings, gearbox covers, valve bonnets and hydraulic reservoirs. Loctite 574 is the fast-cure alternative for rough-machined castings or higher gap. When the flange gap exceeds 0.5 mm or the flange faces are non-metallic, switch to the 587/598 silicone RTVs. Loctite 518 equivalent products: Permabond A136, 3M ScotchWeld TE-030, Vibra-TITE 250 — all anaerobic gel gasket makers rated for similar service.

Cyanoacrylate (instant) adhesives

Surface preparation — cleaners, primers, activators

Loctite 7063 (also SF 7063 in newer packaging) is the general workshop cleaner used before every anaerobic and cyanoacrylate assembly — it removes light oils, machining coolant, oxidation and general shop grime without leaving residue that would poison the anaerobic cure. Loctite 7063 equivalent: Permabond Cleaner A905, 3M Adhesion Promoter AP111, MRO-approved petroleum-distillate degreasers. Do NOT substitute brake cleaner or generic parts cleaner for critical anaerobic joint prep — residual chlorinated solvent traces inhibit anaerobic polymerisation and reduce joint strength by 30-50 %.

Inactive substrates — when to prime

Loctite anaerobics cure quickly on active metals: carbon steel, cast iron, copper, brass and manganese-alloyed steels. They cure slowly (or not at all) on inactive metals: stainless steel, aluminium, zinc, cadmium plate, passivated coatings and plated fasteners. On inactive substrates:

• Apply Activator N (SF 7649) to accelerate cure to normal fixture times. Standard practice for 316L stainless flanges and aluminium bearing housings.
• Apply Activator T (SF 7471) where fastest possible cure is required (assembly-line torque, hot pipe fittings).
• For zinc-plated or cadmium-plated fasteners, either primer works — 7649 is preferred for its solvent-free option (SF 7649LX).
• For unusual substrates (titanium, magnesium alloy, plastic), consult the Loctite Substrate Compatibility Chart before selection.

Related products and references

• Loctite SF 7063 cleaner-degreaser 400 ml aerosol on cBallast
• Loctite 518 flange sealant
• Loctite 243 medium-strength threadlocker
• Loctite 271 high-strength threadlocker
• Loctite 638 retaining compound
• All Henkel Loctite anaerobics and cleaners on cBallast
• Henkel industrial adhesives on cBallast

Cure times, strength values and gap-fill capacity are Henkel Loctite published data at 22 °C on active carbon-steel substrates. Actual cure varies with temperature, substrate activity, gap width and primer/activator use. Loctite is a registered trademark of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA.

Document provided as a reference for technicians servicing installed equipment. Trademarks and copyright remain the property of Henkel Loctite. Consult Henkel Loctite or your service representative for the current revision before performing any maintenance or warranty work.