In your MRO plant, it is important that production processes run smoothly and that products are manufactured efficiently and effectively. Although locking devices have traditionally been the ideal solution for protecting nuts and bolts, threadlocking adhesives offer a better, long-term solution that improves equipment and processes. However, some misconceptions may prevent you from using them in your facility.
Learn about threadlocking adhesives and find out how they can help your plant versus locking devices.
Mistake #1: Threadlocking adhesives are for permanent use only
Threadlocking adhesives are applied to nuts and bolts to dampen equipment vibration and protect against corrosion due to moisture infiltration. Because they form a thermoset plastic bond that is stronger than a nylon nut, many manufacturers think that this bond is permanent and cannot be removed if necessary.
The truth: Actually, threadlocking adhesives come in several options, including removable ones. These adhesives can be removed with a simple hand tool and does not necessarily create permanent bonds.
Mistake #2: Threadlocking adhesives are not available in different gradations
Although many manufacturers know what threadlocking adhesives are, they often think that these are available in only one gradation. Probably accustomed to the wide range of shapes and sizes of threadlockers, this perception may turn them away from their use, thinking that they do not cater to specific use cases.
Mistake #3: Threadlocking adhesives increase plant costs
Manufacturers are familiar with threadlockers and probably stock them in all shapes and sizes. Although they can fail or get lost, they are inexpensive to replace when needed and are not a problem. In comparison, they might consider the initial cost of threadlocking adhesives more expensive than locking devices and consequently are not interested in using them.
The truth: Although threadlocking adhesives may cost more initially, they enable facilities to reduce overall costs in the following ways:
- Reduced likelihood of accidents: Locking devices inherently fail due to the vibration of heavy equipment, which can cause equipment to become detached from its track and lead to accidents on the job. In addition, failures of locking devices on equipment can create a hazard in the workplace. Thread-locking adhesives eliminate these problems;
- Reduced equipment maintenance: Even when using locking devices, nuts and bolts do not have 100 percent metal-to-metal contact. As a result, air and moisture can infiltrate and cause corrosion. Over time, corrosion can cause the nut and bolt to seize, making it difficult to disassemble the equipment and requiring costly maintenance and repair. Threadlocking adhesives can provide 100 percent contact to protect against corrosion;
- Increased plant efficiency: Plants often have entire storerooms dedicated to locking devices of various shapes and sizes. Threadlocking adhesives do not require large storage spaces and allow plant space to be used more efficiently. They can be easily incorporated into a tool kit for on-site needs, saving manufacturers the time needed to search for the right locking devices for a particular nut and bolt. In addition, a single product can be used for different sized nuts and bolts, further simplifying production. Threadlocking adhesives help create a proactive approach to maintenance repairs in a facility;
- Increased product mileage: With threadlocking adhesives, a minimal amount of product is sufficient. For example, a small 50 ml bottle can be used 800 times compared to 3/8 nut and bolt locking devices, which helps reduce inventory costs.
*Based on internal expert testing.
Why choose Born2Bond™ threadlocking adhesives from Bostik
Although threadlockers have historically been a popular maintenance option for fasteners, threadlocking adhesives offer distinctive advantages. In addition to allowing maintenance teams to be proactive rather than reactive, they unify the assembly process, ensuring that all equipment operates at the same level of performance. In addition, they offer resistance to vibration and corrosion. Bostik’s Born2Bond threadlocking adhesives are:
- Available in different grades and viscosities for improved flexibility;
- Single-component for ease of use;
- Oil-tolerant for improved performance;
- Equipped with primerless technology that can be used on inactive metals such as plated parts, stainless steel, zinc, black oxide and aluminum.
