Generally more widely known for their threadlock products, Loctite is also one of the foremost brands in the adhesives industry. Let’s take a look at their CA superglue offering and see how it stacks up against the competition.
Table of Contents
Quick Overview
The Loctite brand is well known in the plumbing trade for their threadlock product, and in manufacturing businesses all over the world for their industrial adhesives.
Loctite is one of the largest adhesive manufacturers for industry, being used in aviation, electronics, shipping, and electronics the world over. It was even used on the space shuttle!
If that’s not a vote of confidence, I don’t know what is!
However, Loctite also produces a whole array of consumer adhesive products, including the one we’re looking at today: Loctite Super Glue.
Let’s take a look at Loctite’s consumer-grade superglue and see if it lives up to the reputation Loctite has earned in the commercial adhesives world.
Pros and cons:
Pros
- No mess gel formula
- Bonds in a few seconds
- Dries clear
- Comes with an airtight cap
- Waterproof
- Infused with rubber to make it flexible
- Can be used indoors and outdoors
- Patented control applicator
- Resists vibration and impacts
Cons
- Does not bond certain plastics
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Product Features
Loctite Superglue is a CA glue with some additional patented ingredients to enhance the performance and durability, and a unique precision bottle that prevents any mess.
Unique flexible, impact resistant formula
One of the major problems with CA glue in general is that the bond formed is brittle and can’t deal with vibrations very well.
Loctite has overcome this problem by adding a patented rubber additive to the formula. While the exact ingredient is a trade secret, the effect is that the glue is better able to deal with vibrations, stress, and movement than other CA glues.
Forms an incredibly strong bond almost instantly
Loctite super glue bonds almost instantly to most surfaces and doesn’t require any clamping or pressure.
Check out the instructions below for more info on how to get the strongest possible bond.
How strong is Loctite?
Works indoors and outdoors
Thanks to the unique additives in Loctite super glue, it is water-resistant and can deal with freezing temperatures, unlike many other CA glues.
This makes Loctite a great choice for outdoor projects* as well as indoors.
*The manufacturer recommends Loctite Super Glue is used in covered outdoor areas only.
Unique easy to use precision dispenser
Loctite has used their years of experience to refine their products, not only the formula of the glue, but the applicator the glue comes in.
Loctite stands out here, while most other superglues coming in an aluminum tube which can be messy to use, Loctite super glue comes with a precision-controlled applicator bottle with an airtight cap.
The bottle prevents any leaks or spills and allows a fine level of control over how much glue you use.
How to use the precision dispenser:
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How to use Loctite Superglue
Loctite is just like any other CA glue, with a few minor differences
- The applicator bottle makes applying the glue easier.
- The rubber strengthened formula gives you a few seconds to adjust before the glue sets.
- The airtight cap means you can store the glue without it drying out.
1: Prepare the surface you are going to bond
Make sure the surface is clean, dry, and free from any dust, oil, or grease.
2: Remove the cap and apply a small amount of glue to one surface
The manufacturer recommends only one drop of superglue per square inch of surface for the strongest bond.
This might sound counterintuitive at first, however adding too much glue won’t make the bond stronger, it will actually weaken it.
The tip of the control applicator is super tiny, making it easy to apply just how much you need.
3: Hold the piece in place for a few seconds until it sets
The great thing about Loctite is it doesn’t need to be clamped.
According to the manufacturer, the glue will be set and very strong in around 10 seconds, although the bond will not be fully cured for 24 hours.
4: Make sure to properly seal the bottle for storage
Loctite super glue comes with an airtight cap, meaning you can actually store the glue after you’re finished with it and it won’t dry out.
Twist the cap back on, and keep turning until you hear it clicking. That means it’s properly sealed, and it’s safe to store.
Store the glue in a cool, dry place away from any moisture or humidity.
How to properly use Loctite cyanoacrylate glues:
What Materials does Gorilla Super Glue Gel work on?
Loctite super glue works on just about any household material, with the exception of a few specific types of plastic which are notoriously hard to bond to.
Here’s a full list of materials that Loctite Superglue will work on:
Loctite sticks to:
- Glass
- Ceramic
- PVC Plastics
- Wood
- Paper
- Rubber
- Polystyrene & Styrofoam
- Leather
- Porcelain
- Stone
- Metal
Loctite doesn’t stick to:
- High and low density Polyethylene
- Polypropylene Plastic
- PTFE (Also known as Teflon)
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FAQs
Loctite Super Glue ingredients
Loctite super glue is a standard CA superglue, just like most others. It’s made from Ethyl Cyanoacrylate.
Loctite also adds a patented, proprietary rubber compound to their glue, which gives it extra flexibility over standard CA.
Is Loctite Super Glue Waterproof?
Once cured, Loctite super glue is technically “Water resistant”, not fully waterproof. It’s suitable for use outdoors or indoors, you can use it where there may be high humidity such as in bathrooms or kitchens.
Loctite Super Glue Conforms to EN204 D3 Water Resistance Standard.
Is Loctite Super Glue Aquarium / Reef safe?
Loctite is NOT suitable for places where there will be constant water contact, like inside pools, fish tanks or aquariums.
Is Loctite Superglue Toxic?
Cyanoacrylate is toxic and gives off harmful fumes when it’s drying. Keep it out of reach from children.
Once it’s cured, it’s fairly harmless, although it’s still not classified as “food safe”, because heat may cause the bond to deteriorate.
Is Loctite Superglue flammable?
Loctite Superglue is heat resistant once cured, however applying heat will weaken the bond, and too much heat will cause the glue to give off fumes that are not only flammable but harmful to breathe in.
- The Flashpoint of Loctite superglue is 188.06 °F (86.7 °C)
- The boiling point of Loctite Superglue is 300 °F (148.9 °C)
What color is it when it’s dry?
Loctite Superglue is clear/colorless once it’s cured.
Loctite Superglue Cure Time:
As with all CA glues, Loctite will be dry in a matter of seconds, depending on the surface material and how much glue you used.
According to the manufacturer, you should leave the glue for 5 minutes undisturbed until it’s ready to be handled again.
Loctite Super Glue takes between 12 and 24 hours to fully cure, depending on your working environment. (Temperature, surface material, humidity, amount of glue used)
Does Loctite Super glue work on wood?
You can definitely use Loctite (or any CA glue) on Wood, it will have no problems bonding to wood because it’s so porous.
If you have a large wood repair or are bonding wood to wood, consider a wood glue like Titebond instead, it’s much better value.
Loctite Super Glue Shelf Life?
The shelf life of any CA Superglue is not an exact science. Loctite super glue comes with a patented airtight cap, however, all superglue is highly reactive, and even a few droplets of water can cause the flue to harden.
According to the manufacturer, the shelf life of Loctite Superglue is 18 months, but only when unopened. The manufacturer makes no claims about the glue once it’s been opened.
In my experience, basically, all superglues have a very limited shelf life once opened. (This is one of the reasons superglue is sold in such small bottles)
Safety Data Sheet
Also known as MSDS, every manufacturer and distributor of hazardous chemicals (like Glue) has to provide a copy. Loctite has helpfully produced an MSDS and also a technical data sheet (TDS) which are available from their website.
If you need the datasheets, there’s a link to them below:
