LOCTITE 401 Super Glue: Your Complete Guide (401 vs 406, Uses, Data)
What is LOCTITE 401 used for?
LOCTITE 401 is a general-purpose, high-performance cyanoacrylate adhesive, commonly known as a “super glue.” It is designed for bonding small areas and provides a very fast setting time.
Its primary uses include:
- Bonding a wide variety of materials: Plastics, rubber, metals, and elastomers.
- Excellent on porous surfaces: It works very well on wood, leather, and cork.
- Fast assembly: Its rapid cure speed makes it ideal for production lines and quick repairs.
- Low viscosity: This means it’s quite thin, so it can wick into tight cracks and capillary spaces, making it perfect for close-fitting parts.
What is the difference between LOCTITE 401 and 406?
This is a very common question. Both are cyanoacrylates, but they are formulated for different material types.
| Feature | LOCTITE 401 | LOCTITE 406 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use | General-purpose bonding | Bonding plastics and rubber |
| Viscosity | Low (thin, watery) | Low (thin, watery) |
| Key Strength | Good all-around strength, especially on porous materials. | Excellent flexibility and peel strength on difficult plastics (e.g., PE, PP) and rubber. |
| Best For | Metal, wood, leather, most common plastics. | Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), and other “hard-to-bond” plastics. |
| Cure Speed | Very Fast | Very Fast |
Simple Rule of Thumb: Use 401 for general tasks and porous materials. Use 406 when you are specifically bonding plastic parts or rubber that need to remain impact-resistant and flexible.
Is LOCTITE 401 superglue?
Yes, absolutely. LOCTITE 401 is a specific, high-performance grade of cyanoacrylate (CA) adhesive, which is the technical name for “super glue.”
How long does it take for LOCTITE 401 to dry?
“Dry” and “cure” are different. LOCTITE 401 sets (handling strength) very quickly but reaches full strength over time.
- Setting Time (Fixture Time): Typically 5 to 20 seconds on metals and most plastics. This is when the parts can be handled carefully.
- Full Cure Time: Reaches full strength in about 24 hours.
Pro Tip: Humidity accelerates the curing process. On very dry days, curing can be slower.
What is Loctite 410 used for?
LOCTITE 410 is a specialized, black, high-viscosity cyanoacrylate. Its key characteristics are:
- Color: Black, making it ideal for applications where the adhesive should not be visible or needs to match a dark surface.
- Viscosity: High (gel-like), so it doesn’t run and is perfect for vertical surfaces or gap-filling.
- Primary Use: Bonding and sealing where a dark color and gap-filling properties are needed, such as in electronics, rubber gaskets, or decorative items.
Where should Loctite be applied?
This depends on the type of Loctite product, but the general principle is:
- Threadlockers (e.g., 242, 271): Applied to the male threads of a bolt or screw, covering the first few threads.
- Retaining Compounds (e.g., 638, 648): Applied to the surface of a shaft before pressing it into a housing (e.g., a bearing onto a shaft).
- Cyanoacrylates / Super Glues (e.g., 401, 406): Applied sparingly to one of the two surfaces to be bonded.
- Gasketing Products (e.g., 515, 574): Applied in a continuous bead to a gasket flange surface.
Golden Rule: Cleanliness is critical. Surfaces must be clean, dry, and free of oil/grease for any Loctite product to work effectively.
Is Loctite the same as superglue?
This is a “square is a rectangle” situation.
- All Loctite-branded super glues are super glue, but not all super glues are from the Loctite brand.
- “Super glue” is the common name for cyanoacrylate adhesive.
- “Loctite” is a leading brand that manufactures many types of adhesives, including super glues (like 401, 406), threadlockers, sealants, and epoxy.
Is LOCTITE 401 good for metal?
Yes, LOCTITE 401 is excellent for bonding metal to metal and metal to other materials. Its low viscosity allows it to seep into the microscopic pores of the metal, creating a very strong, rigid bond. For the best strength on passive metals (like stainless steel or plated surfaces), a primer like LOCTITE 7452 is often recommended.
Loctite 401 near me
LOCTITE 401 is widely available at:
- Industrial suppliers (e.g., Grainger, Fastenal, MSC Industrial Supply)
- Automotive parts stores (e.g., AutoZone, NAPA)
- Some well-stocked hardware stores
- Online retailers (e.g., Amazon, eBay)
The easiest way is to search for “LOCTITE 401 near me” on Google Maps or a supplier’s website.
LOCTITE 401 Datasheet & MSDS
- Datasheet (Technical Data Sheet): This provides technical specifications like viscosity, strength, cure time, and temperature resistance.
- MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet): Now called SDS (Safety Data Sheet), this document provides safety, handling, and first-aid information.
Loctite 401 Price & Sizes
Price varies significantly by retailer and location. Common sizes include:
- 20g bottle: A common, user-friendly size.
- 50g bottle: A larger size for more frequent use.
- 1-liter containers: For industrial and manufacturing use.
As a rough estimate, a 20g bottle typically ranges from $10 to $20 USD.
Loctite 401 Equivalent
Other brands manufacture cyanoacrylates with similar properties (low viscosity, fast cure). Some potential equivalents include:
- Permabond: 910
- Cyberbond: 100 Series
- 3M: CA4
- Hernon: Ultracure 100
In summary, LOCTITE 401 is a versatile and high-performance cyanoacrylate adhesive that excels as a fast-setting, general-purpose super glue. Whether you’re bonding metal, plastic, rubber, or porous materials like wood, it provides a strong, rigid bond ideal for quick repairs and assembly.
Key Takeaways:
- Primary Use: Ideal for bonding small, close-fitting parts across a wide range of materials.
- Vs. LOCTITE 406: Choose 401 for general purpose and porous surfaces; opt for 406 for flexible plastics like polyethylene and rubber.
- Drying Time: Sets in seconds, achieving full strength in 24 hours.
- Availability: Easily found at hardware stores, automotive suppliers, and online retailers.
Before starting your project, always remember that surface preparation is critical—ensure parts are clean and dry for the strongest bond. For specialized needs, consider alternatives like the gel-formula LOCTITE 410 or the plastic-specific LOCTITE 406.
We hope this comprehensive guide has answered all your questions about LOCTITE 401. For precise technical specifications, always refer to the official LOCTITE 401 datasheet and SDS.
Found this guide helpful? Feel free to explore our other articles for more expert adhesive advice and project tips