General guidance
This Resource Centre provides general guidance only. Always follow the equipment manufacturer’s instructions, the product technical data sheet and your site’s safe system of work. Isolate stored energy before maintenance. For safety-critical, regulated or uncertain applications, ask a competent engineer or the product manufacturer to confirm the specification.
First decide what the product must do.
- Threadlocker: helps prevent threaded fasteners loosening under vibration or shock.
- Thread sealant: fills the leakage path in a compatible threaded pipe connection.
- Retaining compound: secures close-fitting cylindrical parts such as bearings, bushes, gears or sleeves.
- Gasketing compound: creates an in-place seal between flange faces.
- Structural adhesive: bonds parts and transfers load across the joint.
- Instant adhesive: provides rapid bonding on small, close-fitting parts.
- Flexible sealant or adhesive: accommodates movement and helps exclude moisture or air.
- Repair compound: rebuilds or protects worn surfaces within its stated capability.
Then confirm:
- substrate materials and coatings;
- gap and bond area;
- load type and required strength;
- normal and peak temperature;
- fluid and chemical exposure;
- cure time and available process;
- whether disassembly will be required;
- health, ventilation and PPE controls;
- required approvals.
Do not choose by colour alone. Product colour codes are not universal across all brands and technologies.
Need help sourcing the item?
Send the manufacturer, reference, photographs and operating details.