NEWS PRODUCT REVIEW
Reduce unplanned downtime
65
PIERCE
CORRUGATED IRON
Optimise assemblies and reduce unplanned downtime with LocTite.
MECHANICS OF A THREADED FASTENER
difficult (seized bolts and nuts) when repair or
AND FACTORS THAT AFFECT IT’S RELIABILITY
maintenance is required.
Tightening the nut on a bolt stretches the bolt,
A lot of these issues can be eliminated by
much like a spring. In technical terms, you elongate
simply making sure that the gaps between
it. Elongation is necessary for creating the clamp
the threads are completely filled – and liquid
load. More torque results in more elongation and, in
threadlockers are a solution that has been
turn produces more clamp load.
around for almost 70 years now. The benefits of using a LocTite threadlocker
The clamp load keeps the two components
extends beyond just locking the bolt in place.
together, creating friction in three ways:
It also prevents corrosion and galling, provides
• Between the bolt head and the clamped
excellent chemical and thermal resistance, as well
components
as making disassembly for maintenance easier.
• Between the nut and the component / flange face
One LocTite threadlocker 50ml bottle replaces over 800 standard washers on most common
• Between the threads of the nut and the bolt.
bolt sizes. The red LocTite bottle itself is a bit of a
You should think that all this together should be
celebrity in its own right. This year it will be
enough to keep the bolt tightened and hold the
undergoing a ’rejuvenation, making it easier
pieces together no matter what, but not really.
for the customers to recognise the original
There are certain cases where threaded
LocTite red bottle.
fasteners keep static assemblies together. In those cases, they’ll hold just fine. However, they are also used on many assemblies that are subjected to load and vibration. Vibration will cause side-to-side movement of the nut and bolt because the threads don’t fit tightly enough to entirely fill the space between them (no matter how tightly pressed together they seem to the naked eye). Mechanical
• STOP FASTENER FAILURE BEFORE IT HAPPENS • TIGHTEN YOUR OPERATION. ELIMINATE LOOSENING • TRADITIONAL FASTENING METHODS HAVE GAPS. THREADLOCKERS FILL THEM.
fasteners like a washer can be added, but this still does not resolve the issue of the spaces between the threads of the nut and bolt. Once vibrational stress becomes greater than friction, the bolt will loosen. It usually takes 50-100 cycles for the threaded assembly to completely fail. Apart from vibration, there are several
Roof Nail
factors that can affect the reliability of a threaded assembly. For example, relaxation in bolt tension can occur due to settling of the nut head and creeping of the gasket. In case of different substrates being joined, variable service temperatures can cause different thermal expansion of the materials, which will also negatively affect the fastener performance. Finally, good old corrosion, a well-known enemy
PROUDLY DESIGNED & MANUFACTURED IN
SOUTH AFRICA
of metal assemblies, will inevitably occur due to humidity and elevated temperatures. We all know that corrosion is not good, whether it’s from the perspective of affecting the functionality of the assembly or making a disassembly more
Should you wish to run a trial with LocTite, Call: 011-617-2400 | Email: za.agmarketing@henkel.com
Call your rep today! For more information, contact us at +27 (0) 11 471 0800
DIY & INDUSTRIAL TRADE NEWS APRIL 2020
