Retaining compounds, a type of anaerobic adhesive, fill the inner space between components and cure to form a strong precision assembly. They are widely accepted as a standard method for assembling press- and slip-fitted parts.

Advantages of LOCTITE^® Retaining Products

LOCTITE^® Retaining Products Offer:

• Higher strength with simplified and less costly designs
• Reduced dependence on machining tolerances
• Corrosion and fretting prevention
• Even load and stress distribution over the joint

When Used in Combination with Interference Fits, Loctite^® Retaining Compounds Allow:

• Higher load transmission and better performance with existing designs and geometry
• Equal performance with relaxed tolerances
• Reductions in the size and weight of an assembly

Problems with Conventional Assembly Methods That Loctite^® Retaining Products Can Help Overcome:

• Pins, key/keyway assemblies have uneven distribution of mass, an imbalance that can lead to vibration at high speeds
• Splines and serrations cause high stresses due to the “notch effect” that occurs in the area of a key. And have high machining costs
• Clamp rings, press fits, shrink fits, and taper fits rely on friction alone to transmit torque, therefore they are limited by material, surfaces and design. Close tolerances are needed to obtain specific load capacities, leading to high production costs

Cost and Performance Benefits of Retaining Compounds

Cost Benefits:

• Reduce or eliminate expensive machining operations
• Eliminate some surface finishing requirements
• Prolong equipment life through better fatigue and corrosion resistance
• Fill gaps so machining tolerances can be widened
• Help lower overall assembly and maintenance costs
• Simplify assemblies by reducing use of circlips, keys, dowels or threads
• Can eliminate the need for mechanical retainers
• Minimize machine downtime ensuring an earlier return to service

Performance Benefits:

• Increase assembly reliability
• Produce more accurate, rigid assemblies
• Eliminate backlash in keys and splines
• Prevent small diameter shaft distortion
• Increase strength of heavy press fits
• Eliminate fretting corrosion
• Seal against environmental corrosion
• Eliminate high assembly stresses
• Reduce variations in load transmission
• Allow dissimilar materials to be assembled more easily

Retaining Compound Resources

Retaining Compound Design Guide

Adhesives Sourcebook