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How To Apply Loctite Instant Adhesives

The blue bottle Loctite instant adhesives have been around for over 50 years. Referred to technically as cyanoacrylate adhesives, and commonly referred to as superglues, these products are used when time is of the essence. Instant adhesives cure very quickly when confined between surfaces, exhibiting excellent adhesion on most substrates and especially on small to medium sized parts.

But once you have selected the right instant adhesive, you need to apply it in the appropriate way to reap its benefits.

Storage

Applying Loctite instant adhesives correctly starts on delivery. For optimum performance, these products should be stored in the fridge, ideally between 2°C and 8°C. Storage outside of these temperatures can adversely affect product properties.

Loctite being applied up close

Surface Preparation

Loctite 7063 bottle ready to use with machinery

Correct surface preparation is key before any bonding application, and the use of instant adhesives is no different.

Loctite recommend the use of Loctite SF 7063 or Loctite SF 7070 to degrease and clean the surfaces to be bonded prior to application.

Loctite SF 7063 is a general-purpose product for cleaning and degreasing any kind of surface or machinery component before proceeding with a repair or assembly job involving Loctite adhesives. It is a solvent-based cleaner and the product leaves no residue. Loctite 7063 removes most greases, oils, lubrication fluids and metal cuttings.

Loctite SF 7070 is a non-aqueous, hydrocarbon based, non-CFC solvent designed for cleaning and degreasing of surfaces to be bonded with Loctite adhesives. The product is used as a final pre-assembly cleaning treatment to remove most greases, oils, lubrication fluids, metal cuttings and fines from surfaces to be bonded. 

All components should be dried before application of the adhesive.

Activation

If you are applying a Loctite instant adhesive where cure speed is unacceptably long, or the substrate is difficult to bond to, it is recommended that an activator is used.

Various products are available:

  • Loctite SF 770 – a heptane based polyolefin primer for difficult to bond plastics.

  • Loctite SF 7458 – a general purpose activator for all substrates with good aesthetic characteristics.

  • Loctite SF 7455 – a post applied, colourless activator for all substrates.

  • Loctite SF 7452 – an acetone based activator providing excellent cosmetic appearance characteristics.
Loctite 406 & 770 being applied

Application

Loctite application tools

To aid in the application of Loctite instant adhesives, dispensing needles in a variety of gauges are available that can be applied directly onto the bottles themselves. These needles improve control when dispensing the adhesive, especially on smaller components.