How Much Threadlocker Should I Use According to Bolt Size & Other Factors?
The cause of industrial mechanical failures can often come down to a simple loose fastener. With threats of vibration, shock and corrosion, threadlockers can be an easy preventative measure.
There are many factors that go into finding the best product for your project, including:
- Choosing between liquid and gel threadlockers
- Choosing what threadlocker to use based on bolt size
- Deciding if your fastener needs medium or high strength adhesion
Below, we look at each of these factors.
Factors That Go Into Threadlocker Selection
There are three main factors that go into choosing the correct GorillaPro® threadlocking adhesive for your fasteners: strength, application and size.
Strength
Threadlockers come in a variety of different strengths. GorillaPro threadlockers denote their strengths by color.
Medium strength is designated with a blue color and high strength is designated with a red color. These color associations are so strong that longtime threadlocker users often refer to the desired product by color versus their brand or product number.
Application
Red threadlockers are often referred to as ‘permanent’ threadlockers. If you are looking for a high degree of security or need locking force, such as larger cap screws, studs and socket head bolts, you should reach for a red threadlocker.
Blue threadlockers are referred to as ‘serviceable’ threadlockers. Their medium-strength capabilities allow for them to be frequently disassembled for maintenance reasons or changes in operation.
Size
Fastener size is an incredibly important consideration in relation to the viscosity and strength required for use in a threadlocking application.
Smaller to medium-sized fasteners, up to ¾”, are usually better serviced by medium-strength, blue threadlockers. Larger fasteners, ~1” and above, are often fastened with high-strength, red threadlockers.
GorillaPro Threadlocker Solutions for Fasteners Up to 1”
LT High Strength Red Threadlocker
LT High Strength Red Threadlocker is a high-strength, liquid threadlocking adhesive that is designed for larger threaded fasteners that go up to 1” in diameter. It is suitable for heavy-duty applications where high levels of shock, vibration and stress are present.
This is permanent adhesion and may require heat to be disassembled.
GorillaPro Threadlocker Solutions for Fasteners Up to ¾”
High Strength Red Threadlocker
The High Strength Red Threadlocker is another high-strength, liquid threadlocking adhesive. This one is designed to prevent loosening of threaded fasteners up to ¾” that also have high levels of shock, vibration and stress.
This formula is also recommended for applications that require permanent adhesion and may require heat to be disassembled.
High Strength Red Gel Threadlocker
The High Strength Red Gel Threadlocker is a gel formula versus the liquid formula of the red threadlocker. This design is ideal for those interested in “no-mess applications” without drips or product waste. It makes for easy overhead and vertical applications for threaded fasteners up to ¾”.
It has an innovative pump design to improve ease of dispensing and accuracy, limiting your amount of clean up time.
Medium Strength Blue Threadlocker
The Medium Strength Blue Threadlocker is designed to prevent the loosening of threaded fasteners that are up to ¾”. The difference from the red threadlocker is that this product is easier to be disassembled with hand tools, and it is ideal for applications where regular servicing is needed.
Medium Strength Gel Blue Threadlocker
The Medium Strength Gel Blue Threadlocker is a gel formula of the blue threadlocker that works with fasteners that go up to ¾” in diameter. It, too, has ‘no mess’ capabilities to limit dripping and waste. It provides excellent resistance but allows for disassembly for threads that require regular maintenance.
It also has an innovative pump design to improve ease of dispensing and accuracy, limiting your amount of clean up time.
Want to learn more? Interested in high-quality threadlockers for your next project? Check out the GorillaPro Threadlockers product line or click here to find where to buy.