Threadlocking vs. Anti-Seize: Know the Differences and When to Use Them   

When you’re trying to address MRO maintenance issues with nuts and bolts, it’s important to consider how adhesives or lubricants can protect against factors such as corrosion and vibration. While you may know about threadlocking adhesives and anti-seize lubricants, you may not be fully aware of what option is right for your specific needs and when to use each one.  

Learn about the distinct advantages each solution provides and what to consider when determining which is right for you.   

Anti-seize lubricants reduce the amount of friction when assembling and disassembling nuts and bolts, allowing you to apply the least amount of torque to achieve the maximum tightening force. This solution offers:  

• Corrosion protection: Serving as a thread lubricant, anti-seize lubricants provide a protective coating that remains on metal parts even after extended exposure to moisture, chemicals or air. This prevents the nuts and bolts from corroding, extending the service life and easing disassembly processes. 
• Durable strength: Anti-seize lubricants are formulated with grease that has solids suspended in it, such as aluminum or zinc. Once the desired application temperature is achieved, the grease, which acts as a lubricant when applied, burns off; this causes the solids to create a coating, which prevents seizing. As a result, anti-seize lubricants are able to handle high load applications while still providing lubrication and friction reduction. They are commonly used for heavy duty forest equipment, automotive, aircraft and nuclear power applications. 
• High-temperature resistance: The solids content in anti-seize helps protect against high temperatures, preventing parts from galling and seizure even under extreme stress. As mentioned above, the grease burns off in high temperatures while the solids are left behind. This makes it ideal for many nut, bolt and press fit applications, allowing them to be removed without damage.  

When to Use Threadlocking Adhesives 

• Small maintenance needs: Unlike anti-seize lubricants, threadlocking adhesives are packaged in small bottles. This is intended to help you make repairs and preventive maintenance tasks to nuts and bolts or small places that may be difficult to reach within equipment. With a range of viscosities available, this makes for an easy, clean dispense from the bottle.   
• Vibrational repairs: As a liquid solution, threadlocking adhesives fill gaps in between threads and use cohesive strength to unify the nut and bolt in place. While both threadlocking and anti-seize lubricants protect against corrosion, threadlocking adhesives specifically are designed to provide vibrational resistance as well, making it the right option if vibration is one of your top concerns.  
• Fast-moving applications: Designed for applications including mechanical assembly, machine engineering, gear manufacturing, engines and powertrains, threadlocking adhesives prevent a nut and bolt from loosening while being used in a fast-moving application that also may vibrate. Anti-seize lubricants are not as suitable, because the high solids content can cause parts to jam.   

When to Use Anti-Seize Lubricants 

• Medium to large maintenance needs: Anti-seize lubricants are available in cans with the intention that they will be applied in large quantities. This solution is also applied with a brush rather than a dispensing bottle like threadlocking adhesives, which helps to ensure you’re covering a large surface entirely and evenly. While anti-seize lubricants can be used in smaller repair situations, too, threadlocking adhesives are recommended for nuts and bolts that are an inch or less in diameter due to their more precise application. 
• Corrosion protection: If you are more concerned about corrosion, anti-seize lubricants will provide long-term protection on metal parts with their protective coatings compared to threadlocking adhesives. They can be applied to larger areas that need extensive corrosion protection, whereas threadlocking adhesives are intended to protect smaller areas that may get corroded over time. Anti-seize lubricants are also available in various formulations for general-purpose, stainless steel, fresh or saltwater resistance and nuclear grades. This ensures there will be a solution for specialized applications that may require corrosion protection. 
• High-temperature applications: Anti-seize lubricants offer excellent protection against temperatures up to 1800°F (982°C), making them ideal over threadlocking adhesives in certain applications, since threadlocking adhesives are designed to handle temperatures below 400°F (204°C). The solids in anti-seize lubricants have high melting points that allow it to endure high temperatures to create a coating while the grease burns off. Further, anti-seize lubricants can withstand extreme pressure that may occur during these high temperatures. 

Born2Bond™ Threadlocking Adhesives enable your maintenance team to be proactive instead of reactive with a one-component solution that unifies nuts and bolts and offers a cohesive connection between metal parts. In addition to protecting against vibration and corrosion, our solutions are designed to enhance the work environment with multiple strengths and viscosities.