Introduction
Both blue and red threadlockers are a vibration-resistant adhesive that provide a solution to fasteners tightening in the industries and machineries. While both are meant for fastener loosening prevention, there is a heavy difference between blue and red threadlockers.
You might not know that when a SpaceX rocket launch was delayed due to loose fasteners, their engineers inspected the case that led them to the improper threadlocker selection.
So, in this article, we will discuss how to avoid similar failures and learn about blue threadlockers and red threadlockers along with deep insights into both the variants.
What Makes Red vs Blue Threadlockers Different?
The most basic difference between the red and blue threadlockers is their strength, where the red threadlocker has the strongest bond among the entire family of threadlockers, while the blue one has a medium or moderate strength that makes it possible to remove it without applying heat, as opposed to the red threadlocker that needs to be heated to remove it.
Apart from this, red and blue threadlockers are meant for different environments and the compatible materials differ as well.
Chemical Composition Breakdown
| Components | Blue threadlocker | Red threadlocker |
|---|---|---|
| Base component | methacrylate | methacrylate or dimethacrylate |
| Organic peroxides (for curing) | Low concentration of peroxides | High concentration of peroxides make the curing faster and stronger |
Curing Process & Environmental Factors
| Comparison Basis | Blue threadlocker | Red threadlocker |
|---|---|---|
| Curing initialisation | 10 to 20 minutes | 10 to 20 minutes |
| Full curing time (room temperature) | 24 hours | Under 24 hours |
| Disassembly temperature | Does not require heating in general | 500°F (260°C) |
| Ideal operational temperature | -65°F to +300°F (-54°C to +150°C) | 450°F (232°C) |
| Removal method | Manual tools | Heating |
Strength & Durability: When to Choose Each
Red Threadlockers
- They are ideally permanent fasteners and that is why choose them where you are positive about not requiring to remove the nuts and bolts in the future i.e. where you need a permanent fixture.
- Red threadlockers are more compatible with heavy metals like iron, stainless steel, or titanium.
- These are ideally more feasible for harsh weather environments such as space projects, aerospace, heavy plants, or heavy plants and machineries.
Blue Threadlockers
- Blue threadlockers become more feasible where a strong bond in the nuts and bolts is needed but the user also wants an option to remove the nuts and bolts in the future without professional methods.
- These threadlockers are more convenient for home improvement, plants and machineries, rides in the playgrounds, or general day-to-day requirements.
- They are meant for regular weather conditions and can withstand rain, moisture, sunlight, or cold, without wearing and tearing.
Torque Resistance Data
| Property | Red Threadlocker | Blue Threadlocker |
|---|---|---|
| Breakaway Torque | 25 Nm+ | 10-15 Nm |
| Vibration Resistance | 12,000 hrs @ 150°C | 8,000 hrs @ 100°C |
Industry-Specific Applications Of Threadlockers
- Automotive Industry
For automotive industries, there are several places that need nice and tight nuts and bolts like engine compartments, body assembly, seats, and the frame of the vehicle. For engine compartments, red threadlocker is the best and on the other hand, body assembly, seats, and other featured parts shall use blue threadlocker so that the mechanics at the garage or service center can easily perform repairs and maintenance.
- Electronics Industry
Electronics industry uses nuts and bolts to fasten the PCB to the body, or places where the PCB needs to be fastened to its housing such as desktop computers. In such cases, blue threadlocker is the most ideal choice because we do not want the bolts to loosen when we move our desktop from one place to another.
On the other hand, a low strength threadlocker shall be suggested if the bolts need to be removed at home for the sake of personal DIYs and self repairs.
How to Remove Red vs Blue Threadlockers Safely?
Chemical Solvents Comparison
In order to remove a blue threadlocker, any manual tool should be sufficient, but sometimes, the tools can fail, especially when the threadlocker has a strong grip or if the threadlocker was applied in much quantity. Consider submerging the nut-bolt in acetone or spirit overnight and retry with a manual tool.
In case of a red threadlocker, it will be best to heat up the nut-bolt above 250 degrees Celsius. If it still does not melt, then try using Loctite 790 solution and retry heating.
Step-by-Step Guides
- First, have all the safety gear equipped like eye protection glasses, gloves, and make sure the environment is well ventilated. You will also need a fire extinguisher, just in case even if the video tutorials don’t suggest it explicitly.
- Have a Loctite 790 ready and apply it all over the nut-bolt that you have to remove. Allow it a few minutes to penetrate.
- Prepare a propane fuel cylinder that we will use to fuel our torch. Lighten the torch and heat up the bolt until you can notice some smoke coming out. This will indicate that the threadlocker is melting.
- Try a plier or a wrench to remove the nut. You might need to put a lot of manual power to make the nut rotate. Apply more heat if the nut doesn’t rotate and retry with a wrench.
4 Threadlocker Mistakes That Lead to Equipment Failure
- Using red on plastics
Every type of threadlocker is meant for different materials, making them incompatible with certain materials. For instance, if you use red threadlocker on a plastic surface, it will break the plastic because of the tight grip and heavy chemical reactions that occur while the red threadlocker cures. Red threadlocker will be compatible with hard metals only like iron, stainless steel, or titanium.
- Over-tightening blue threadlocker
When you tighten a nut more than needed while using a threadlocker, especially the blue threadlocker, you are leaving no space for the chemical reactions to happen during the curing process. This can lead to drastic and failing results. The threadlocker may wipe off due to over-tightening because doing so can remove the threadlocker from its place in the grooves of the bolt.
- Ignoring surface prep
The surface of the bolt needs to be prepared before we can apply threadlocker. There should be no rust, paint residues, dirt, grime, or any foreign particle that can get trapped with the threadlocker. Therefore, clean the surface, wip dry with a clean rug, and then put the threadlocker.
- Mixing brands
Always use a threadlocker from only one brand at a place. In case you run out of threadlocker, make sure you purchase and use the same brand and same strength threadlocker on that surface. Mixing brands or strength will cause a failure in the threadlocker application.
Certifications to Validate Quality
- Automotive: SAE J2749
This certification is meant to validate the strain rate and tensile testing that is applicable in the environments where heavy vibrations occur. Since an automotive engine vibrates heavily, it becomes important to use a threadlocker that doesn’t break down due to heavy vibrations or even car crashes.
- Aerospace: NASM 1312-17
This certification comes into action for environments where extreme temperature is considered such as in the aerospace sector. An aeroplane goes through extreme temperatures during the flight and that is why it must use threadlockers that do not break down when operating between heavily fluctuating extreme temperatures such as extreme cold, direct sunlight above the clouds, or during snowy weather.
- EU Regulations: REACH SVHC compliance
EU regulations ensure that the hazardous substances are within the permissible limits, hence causing no toxicity to the environment, humans, or any other biological elements. Threadlockers are chemicals, which is why they need to be regulated through this certification.
FAQs
When should you use red Loctite?
Always use a red Loctite where you need to keep your nuts and bolts intact even under heavy vibrations, extreme weather, or high tension.
What is Blue threadlocker used for?
Blue threadlocker is famously used in the electronics industries, DIY projects, or home improvement programs, and two-wheeler vehicles where you need a semi-permanent fastening solution to your nuts and bolts. Blue threadlocker gives excellent performance in terms of vibration resistance and avoids loosening of nuts and bolts, and can be removed without much problem.
Which thread locker should I use?
If you want to know which threadlocker will work for you, you need to first understand where you are going to use it. Is it going to be in your house- then use purple threadlocker. Or will it be in your vehicle- use blue, or in your commercial plant and machinery- go for blue or red threadlocker. After that, understand what will be the surface and select the most compatible threadlocker accordingly.
Conclusion
It is very important to understand the basic differences between blue and red threadlockers, because both of them differ completely in terms of usage, price, application industry, operability, and even temperatures. That is why, you need a reliable threadlocker supplier who can understand these aspects deeply such as Jiuju Tech and suggest you the right threadlocker with the right power and strength that will suit well in your industrial applications.If interested, you can always contact Jiuju Tech online and the experts will guide you in a perfect deal within your budgets, who are in the industry for 20 long years, manufacturing and supplying all the varieties of threadlockers in the global market.
