In retaining compounds, the most important component is threadlocker. That is why it is important to choose the right threadlocker carefully by inspecting all aspects and considering every characteristic. As the industry is evolving, so is the demand for a better threadlocker and sealants in order to operate more efficiently and faster with resistance to high temperature as well as pressure. This is why the best threadlocker must be used and in order to choose the right one, basic understanding is necessary. The ideal sealant should have long life, thermal and hydrolytic stability, 100 per cent water rejection, must not wear easily, chance to cavitate is low, level of corrosiveness due to chemicals must also be low, have constant viscosity no matter the temperature and not expensive.
In reality, all the above characteristic cannot be possessed by one single compound alone, but rather every system needs to have a corresponding best sealant. In order to know what characteristics of the sealant to prioritize, one must know the parameters of the system in question. The basic threadlocker system characteristics are as follows:
- The temperature level both at maximum and minimum, taken during operation and ambient
- The pump(s) employed by the system
- Pressures recorded during operation
- Cycle during operation
- Loads that are assigned to each component
- The control used by the system as well as the power valves
Here are the influential factors that affect the performance of the type of sealant used:
- Viscosity. The viscosity needed by the threadlocker can be determined by knowing the extreme temperatures both at ambient and while in operation as well as the load encountered by the system. It is ideal that the threadlocker fluid should have low viscosity when the operating temperature of the system is at its highest. At minimum temperature, it should not be too viscous making it harder for the system to pump it.
- Wear. It is the product of the constant contact between metals and should be minimized with the help of anaerobic threadlocker.
- Anti-wear. These types of fluid are now common because of its ability to reduce the loads that are burdened on waste treatment systems.
- Foaming. When the sealant compound contains foam, the result would be poor performance from the system, thus it should be prevented. Foam can easily be removed by making sure the system have no air leaks. Despite the effort, there are still two kinds of foam that are found in threadlocker fluids, surface foam and entrained air. Surface foam can be easily removed with the help of defoaming additives or by using the right sump design. Entrained air can be a problem because it goes inside the system. It can be prevented with the right type of additive as well as base oils.
- Water retention. In case water combines with fluid, it must be separated with the use of demulsifiers and filter will finish the job to ensure no water is trapped inside the system.