Need help to choose between Loctite 518 and Permatex 51813 for your gasket? We’ve got you covered!
Both are top choices in the market, and understanding their key features and applications is crucial, whether you’re a professional or a DIY enthusiast.
This comparison will guide you through the details, helping you decide which option best suits your project.
What is Loctite 518?
Loctite 518 is an anaerobic gasket maker known for its strength and reliability in sealing applications. It’s designed to cure without air, mainly when confined between metal surfaces.
This product is primarily used for creating rigid, high-strength assemblies. Its formulation allows it to fill gaps up to 0.25mm and is highly resistant to various chemicals, including oils, coolants, and industrial fluids.
Loctite 518 is typically used in gearboxes, engine casings, and pump housings. It’s known for its durability and is often chosen for its resistance to high pressure and temperatures, making it suitable for heavy-duty applications. Moreover, it provides flexibility in disassembly, allowing for easier maintenance and repair.
What is Permatex 51813?
Permatex 51813, on the other hand, is a form-in-place gasket maker that also cures anaerobically. This product is designed for applications similar to Loctite 518 and offers a reliable seal for metal parts.
Its formulation provides excellent oil and fluid resistance and is suitable for thermal cycling applications. Permatex 51813 is known for its versatility and is effective on rigid and flexible flanges.
The product’s high chemical resistance makes it ideal for various applications, including transmissions, cast metal housings, and pump assemblies. Its easy application and reliable sealing properties make it a go-to choice for professional and home use.
How Are They Different?
Curing Time and Conditions
• Loctite 518: Known for its quicker curing time, Loctite 518 becomes functional in a shorter period. This rapid curing is beneficial in scenarios where time constraints are a factor, such as in production lines or emergency repairs.
• Permatex 51813: While it also cures anaerobically, Permatex 51813 takes a bit longer to set than Loctite 518. This attribute might suit applications with slightly longer working times before the seal sets.
Temperature Resistance and Operating Environments
• Loctite 518: Efficient within a standard range of temperatures, Loctite 518 is suitable for most typical industrial and automotive applications. However, it may not be the best choice in environments with extreme temperature fluctuations.
• Permatex 51813: It is more versatile for applications subject to severe thermal cycling or exposed to very high or low temperatures. It has a higher tolerance to extreme hot and cold temperatures.
Application Flexibility and Surface Compatibility
• Loctite 518: Primarily recommended for rigid flanges, Loctite 518 excels in applications where movement or flexing of the sealed surfaces is minimal. Its formulation is optimized for these scenarios, ensuring a durable bond.
• Permatex 51813: Offers greater flexibility and is more accommodating of slight surface movements or vibrations. This makes Permatex 51813 a preferable choice for sealing flexible flanges or in applications where the sealed surfaces may experience some degree of movement or flexing.
How Are They Similar?
Anaerobic Curing Mechanism
Loctite 518 and Permatex 51813 cure anaerobically, meaning they set without air, particularly when sandwiched between metal surfaces. This property is crucial for creating airtight seals in metal-to-metal applications.
Chemical Resistance
Each product boasts robust resistance to common industrial fluids such as oils, coolants, and other automotive fluids.
This chemical resilience makes them suitable for various applications, from gearboxes to pump housings, in environments where exposure to such substances is daily.
Gap Filling Capacity
Loctite 518 and Permatex 51813 effectively fill gaps of similar sizes. They can accommodate surface irregularities and imperfections, providing a reliable seal even when the flange surfaces are not perfectly smooth or aligned.
Versatility in Industrial and Automotive Applications
Both products are widely used in automotive and industrial settings. They are trusted for their reliability in sealing applications involving engines, transmissions, and various types of machinery, highlighting their versatility across different sectors.
What’s Better About Loctite 518?
Loctite 518 stands out due to its rapid curing time. This feature is particularly beneficial in industrial settings where time is critical. It ensures that machinery and assemblies can be returned to service quicker, minimizing downtime.
Additionally, Loctite 518 demonstrates superior strength and adhesion on rigid flanges, making it more suitable for applications requiring high durability and long-term sealing.
Another advantage is the product’s ease of disassembly, allowing easy maintenance and repairs without damaging the metal surfaces. This characteristic is especially useful in automotive and heavy machinery applications, where regular maintenance is a routine requirement.
Furthermore, Loctite 518’s resistance to high pressure and its capability to maintain seal integrity under varying temperatures and conditions make it an ideal choice for demanding applications in the automotive, aerospace, and heavy equipment industries.
What’s Better About Permatex 51813?
Permatex 51813 excels in its temperature resistance range. This makes it a more versatile option for applications that undergo significant thermal cycling or are exposed to extreme temperatures.
Its formulation is tailored to maintain adequate sealing properties in high-heat and cold environments, ensuring reliability across a broader range of operating conditions.
Permatex 51813 also offers excellent flexibility in application, particularly on flexible flanges where movement or vibration is a factor.
This flexibility reduces the risk of gasket failure and ensures a reliable seal over time. Its chemical resistance, particularly to automotive fluids, makes it a preferred choice in the automotive repair and maintenance industry.
Additionally, Permatex 51813’s ease of use, including application and cleanup, makes it a user-friendly option for professionals and DIY enthusiasts.
Who Should Get Loctite 518 (and why)?
Loctite 518 is ideal for professionals working in industries where high-strength bonding and rapid curing are essential. It’s particularly suited for automotive, aerospace, and heavy machinery industries.
Mechanics and technicians who require a reliable sealant for rigid assemblies, such as gearboxes and engine casings, will find Loctite 518 a superior choice.
Its quick curing time means less downtime for repairs and maintenance, a critical factor in industrial and automotive settings.
Additionally, its ease of disassembly makes it a practical option for applications where regular maintenance is expected.
Who Should Get Permatex 51813 (and why)?
Permatex 51813 suits a broader range of users, from professional mechanics to DIY enthusiasts.
Its superior temperature resistance makes it an excellent choice for environments with extreme temperature variations, such as outdoor machinery and automotive applications in varying climates.
The product’s flexibility makes it ideal for rigid and flexible flanges, catering to various sealing needs.
For those requiring a versatile and reliable gasket maker for various applications, including transmissions and pump assemblies, Permatex 51813 offers the necessary performance and ease of use.