Posted to News on 12th Jun 2017, 16:23
How to prevent threaded joints from working loose?
Many applications require a threaded joint that is dismountable yet durable, but often the freedom to dismantle comes at a price because the chosen securing method has limitations. Many of the traditional thread-locking devices are unable to maintain bolt tension and clamping forces, resulting in premature failure and, potentially, costly downtime. This present article explores the alternative options for preventing threaded joints from self-loosening.
Threaded assemblies generally fail because of a loss of bolt tension, the main causes of which are relaxation and self-loosening.
Relaxation
Relaxation results in a change in bolt tension, which leads to reduced clamping forces. This effect is mostly triggered by:
- settling - pressure-induced smoothing of the surface roughness
- creeping - time-dependent yielding of substrates when loads exceed the compressive strength of the material; gasket materials are one example
If the elastic capacity of the assembly is inadequate - for example, if bolts are too stiff or the wrong length-to-diameter ratio is selected - there can be no compensation for loss of bolt tension.
Self-loosening
Self-loosening is caused by any type of dynamic load, such as vibration or changes in temperature, insufficient clamp load and poorly fitting parts, allowing relative movements to increase the risk of self-loosening. These load changes lead to short-term frictionless situations where the bolt unwinds from the nut. The sum of these very small movements ultimately results in the loosening of the threaded assembly.
While relaxation can only be reduced by changes in parts design - such as the length-to-diameter ratio - or the use of additional elements, self-loosening can only be avoided by using appropriate thread-locking devices.
Thread-locking options
Essentially these fall into two camps: mechanical methods and adhesives. There are benefits from using mechanical devices but, due to gaps between the threads, their ability to withstand vibrational loosening is compromised.
A spring washer fared no better, while a polyamide (nylon) ring nut lasted around 25 seconds. A distorted locknut performed a little better, although most of the bolt tension quickly disappeared. However, the joint secured with thread locking adhesive did not fail at all and exhibited no loss of bolt tension. Quite simply, this is because the joint is completely filled with adhesive, presenting no opportunity for loosening. See graph below.
Continuous improvement
All thread locking adhesives under the Loctite brand are anaerobic, which means they only cure in the absence of air. Indeed, it was the very problem of vibration that led Dr Vernon Krieble - the pioneer of Loctite adhesives - to develop anaerobic adhesives. This technology enables the adhesive, when applied to a bolt, to stay liquid almost indefinitely until the nut is applied. With no air in the contact areas, the adhesive soon solidifies to a tough thermoset plastic.
Although this is a relatively mature technology, advancements continue to be made. There is now a huge range available offering differences in viscosity, strength, temperature resistance, chemical resistance, oil tolerance, cure speed and hardness/flexibility. Products are now also rated for use at higher temperatures and are more tolerant of surface contaminants.
Continuous development of product chemistry is especially important in the light of changes relating to CLP Regulations. This is a European Regulation on classification, labelling and packaging of chemicals that has been implemented in stages since 2009.
The Loctite Health and Safety range is a good case in point. When these products were introduced, their chemical components required no hazard labelling but that would not be so today. Continuous development, however, has seen their formulation change in line with these new regulations and users can therefore be assured they are adopting the best practice in terms of workplace safety.
Real-life applications
How is adhesive thread locking being applied in the engineering world? An example that demonstrates this method's ability to withstand an extreme, high-vibration environment is on a snow drive jam nut within the clutch assembly of a snowmobile. In a similarly safety-critical application, a manufacturer of tow hitches and couplings is using a thread locking adhesive to secure the grub screw in the pin that retains the trailer on the vehicles. Again, there is no margin for failure.
Another example is an application on the tunnel boring machines that are excavating the extension of the Crossrail Line through London (see photo at the top of the page). In common with other giant TBMs manufactured by Herrenknecht AG, these machines were constructed using a thread locking adhesive to secure mission-critical bolts.
Elsewhere, another user is applying adhesive to threads of plastic air diffuser mushrooms for securing to stainless steel pipe manifolds in sewage treatment plants. The joint needs to offer sufficient strength to last for the lifetime of the system. For obvious reasons, rework or repair are not particularly desirable.
Further advantages
In summary, thread-locking adhesives not only resist vibration but also protect against shock and thermal cycling, seal against corrosion and prevent galling. In addition, the joints provide better clamp retention than mechanical clamping devices and offer straightforward disassembly using correctly specified tools.
Follow the link for more information about thread-locking adhesives.
