When it comes to thread lockers, there are many options available. In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of conductive thread locker, as well as non-conductive and corrosion-resistant options. To find the perfect thread locker for your needs, take a look at the features we’ve included. Whether you’re looking for a high-shear strength product or are in need of a conductive thread locker, we’ll help you choose the best one for the job.
Is Thread Locker Conductive?
Most of the current thread locker formulations are non-conductive, but some of these products do contain some metal components. It is important to select a thread locker that meets your requirements. Many threadlockers are thixotropic, minimizing migration of the liquid product and improving gap-filling ability. These threadlockers have the added benefit of adhesion to metal parts. If you are looking for a non-conductive thread locker, read on for some tips on selecting one.
The best non-conductive threadlocker is an insulator. These thread lockers can be used to secure fasteners on metal, plastic, and rubber. They also reduce the risk of corrosion by ensuring that the area is sealed. In addition, non-conductive thread lockers can reduce corrosion by minimizing the risk of electrical shorts. Choosing the right thread locker will ensure that the project is completed successfully and safely.
High-Shear Strength
Threadlockers are typically used to lock nuts and bolts together in a variety of assembly configurations. The shear strength of thread lockers is the amount of force required to break the adhesive bond. This is measured using high-shear strength test specimens that have a pin and collar bonded to their inner diameters. The specimens are usually made of high-shear strength steel.
Typical testing methods include slow and fast cure times and break-away torques. Depending on the type of fastener, high-shear strength threadlockers may require a longer cure time. While a typical unlocked 70 percent thread locker may be adequate for the application, high-shear strength threadlockers must be cured for a specified amount of time before breaking torque measurements can be performed.
24 hr Cure Time
The 24 hour cure time for conductive thread lockers varies, depending on the base metal used. For example, a steel nut bolt will reach full handling strength in just 5-10 minutes at 40oC. For an inactive metal like zinc or chromium, it will take between three and six hours to reach full strength. Fortunately, the 24 hour curing time is much less.
Loctite 290 is a conductive thread locker with a 24-hour cure time. It delivers good performance with a shear strength of 360 psi and tensile strength of 53 psi. Another type is the two-part electrically conductive Loctite 8330. This one dries clear and bonds to a variety of substrates. It also allows cold-soldering repairs.
Corrosion Resistance
A conductive thread locker’s strength is measured as a function of temperature. The higher the temperature, the more conductive the threadlocker will be. The temperature range used for measurement is typically from 80°C to 160°C. This temperature range is based on the strength of the conductive thread locker in the testing process. If the temperature range is lower than the recommended value, then a lower strength thread locker will be more conductive than a higher-temperature product.
Depending on the type of metal used, conductive thread lockers may have different performance characteristics. For instance, Loctite 243, also known as Blue Loctite, can be used on oil-contaminated metals and threaded fasteners to reduce the impact of corrosion. In addition to preventing corrosion, conductive thread lockers provide corrosion resistance, and low-slip and leak-proof assemblies. A single-component liquid adhesive, LOCTITE(r) thread locker can be used for both OEM and MRO applications. Loctite 243 also offers high-temperature performance and can tolerate a small amount of oil contamination. However, the application of this thread locker is tricky, because the tip will rub against metal surfaces and cause it to clog.
Is Loctite Threadlocker Electrically Conductive?
The performance of a thread locker depends on its self-loosening, temperature, and chemical resistance. Anaerobic products like LOCTITE(r) will typically resist fuels, water, and organic solvents. Their cross-linked thermoset polymers are particularly stable. The thickness of the cured material exposes only a few tenths of a millimeter. Figure 65 illustrates the effect of temperature on thread locker strength.
To test the shear strength of thread lockers, high-quality specimens are used to push an unthreaded pin against an inner diameter of a threaded collar. Shear strength tests, meanwhile, use compressive force to push a pin against the collar. This test uses high-dimensional tolerances to provide an accurate estimate of the true shear strength of a thread locker. A high-shear-strength thread locker is recommended for applications where excessive chemical resistance is necessary, including refrigeration fittings and assemblies.