Loctite and aluminum?

[Avenger29]

I ordered some Tech-SIGHTS, and I was wondering about blue loctite to secure the mounting screws. As we all know, the Ruger 10/22 receiver is aluminum, and so are the bases of the Tech-SIGHTS. I have been told that loctite melts aluminum (not good for my rifle), and I was wondering if this is true. I see that many people advocate using loctite to secure scope bases and rings, and I was wondering if it affected the aluminum.

 

[HankC]

I know from experience that the blue one does not harm aluminum.

 

[mete]

You can get info [ tech data etc] on www.loctite.com It works fine on aluminum.

 

[Avenger29]

Great- I will feel a whole lot better about using the loctite.

 

[brindlpitt1]

you'll need something steel to make the loctite work.
the loctite reacts with the steel and that is what causes it to set up.
with out steel you'll need an activator.

 

[hooks]

most fasteners are steel or stainless so you are good to go there...red loctite does not harm aluminum either, although you might want to rethink using it on small fasteners, I would stick with larger bolts ect.. Green or bearing mount style loctite is basicly if you don't have a welder handy and you never want to take the parts apart again without a torch...Oxyacetylene torch, heat the bolt or fastener and voila.. loose..

 

[DBR]

You only need to heat most Loctite to 350-400 degrees to melt it. The tip of a soldering iron held against the head of the fastener usually works fine. I would avoid a torch.

The only time I have had to use a torch was on the barrel of a Mini-14 to release a special high temp/high strength Loctite holding the mount for a Harmonic dampener. It let go at about "straw" temp. That was a MAP gas plumber's torch not an Oxy/Acetylene welding torch!

One more point: Loctite is an "anerobic" adhesive. It hardens in the absence of oxygen. It works fine on steel, brass and aluminum all by itself. Some stainless steels will inhibit it and it needs either a "T" or a "Q" activator to work properly. The activators also help it to fill larger gaps than it normally would. I use the activators when I want to bed a sight in a dovetail.

 

[Steve Wynn]

Loctite "sets up" with the lack of air. It will work on steel, brass, aluminum, copper, bronze etc, and anything not porous, as long as it is not coated with oil or grease. It does not react with any of the metals. As mentioned previously, when heated up, it will release it's grip on the metal.

Steve

 

[danang]

Do yourself a favor. Put the Loctite on the heads of the screws, not on the threads. Life is too short for that. I like the green wicking high strength Loctite. Tighten everything down snug, torqued right, then a tiny drop on the screw head. It will wick around the head, set up, and do the job. You won't need propane torches, et.al, to remove the screws later. JMHO