If you’ve browsed the best adhesive products around, then you must’ve noticed the stark similarities between the two brands: Permatex and Loctite. They even have the same packaging, reference numbers, and color coding, most of the time!
Where does this closeness come from? And would that mean you can buy one instead of the other, and get the same results? Let’s see now.
In this article, we’ll answer these questions, in addition to comparing the performance of Permatex vs Loctite adhesives. Read-on!
An Overview of Both Brands
Permatex and Loctite are both giants, and the best part is that they crossed paths for about 30 years! Loctite had owned Permatex from 1972 till 1999, and it seems that they rubbed off each other in a big way!
Permatex
In 2009 Permatex celebrated its 100th anniversary. Even though its ownership changed hands several times, it still managed to survive tough times and even tougher competition.
Constant A. Benoit Sr., the founder of Permatex, had started the company with a bang. In 1909 he invented a shellac made for bicycles. It bonded the tires to the rims in a way that allowed the bikes to gain higher speeds and run through rougher terrain.
From there, he ventured into the automobile industry and introduced gasket cement to racing cars. This marked a long and impressive journey of innovating more than 350 products that improved service technology.
Loctite
It’s not too often that a college professor builds a multi-billion company, but professor Vernon K. Krieble did.
In 1953, he came up with the formula of an anaerobic thread-locking adhesive. Soon, he founded the American Sealants Company to sell his new product. However, this name changed a few years later, after his daughter-in-law suggested rebranding it as Loctite.
Professor Vernon passed shortly after that, and in 1963, his son Robert H. Krieble, who was also a chemist, carried the torch. He took the company further and introduced several new products.
In 1997 Loctite was acquired by Henkel, and its headquarters moved from Connecticut to Dusseldorf, Germany. Loctite has also taken admirable steps towards going green and focusing on sustainable tech.
What Are the Main Products of Permatex and Loctite?
Both companies have a relatively broad product line. They intersect at a few points, where they manufacture almost identical items.
Permatex
Permatex products can be roughly categorized as related to automobiles, motorcycles, marine industries, and heavy-duty applications.
Their products include:
- Adhesives and sealants
- Lubricants
- Gasketing
- Thread compounds
- Cleaners and Degreasers
- Laundry detergents
- Hand care
- Specialized maintenance and repair
Loctite
Loctite divides its products into two broad groups: Build and Fix.
Build
Which is primarily a professionals’ resource for the toughest projects. It also includes a DIY-friendly category, but let’s say, that it’s for these folks who know what they’re doing. Some of these items are:
- Construction adhesives
- Polyurethane foam
- Sealants
- Epoxies
- Specialty glues
- Surface treatment
- Spray adhesive
Fix
The Fix part is mostly for small projects, DIYs, crafts, and regular repairs. This line includes:
- Superglue
- General-purpose adhesives
- Contact adhesives
Comparing the Adhesives of Permatex and Loctite
As you can see, the intersection group between Permatex and Loctite is in the adhesives and sealants. And that’s exactly what we’d compare.
Threadlockers
Threadlockers add extra binding strength between the screws and the structure they bind. This minimizes the loosening that often results from vibration, uneven loading, or other stressors. In addition, these lockers provide protection from corrosion.
These adhesives aren’t eternal, and they can generally be unscrewed and removed at any stage.
Both brands use a hierarchy of colors to represent various degrees of rigidity. The Purple has the lowest strength, then comes the blue as a medium-strength locker, and the Red as the one with the highest strength. The orange is a high-strength removable, and the green has extra penetration.
These thread lockers operate at temperatures reaching up to 300 degrees, with the lower limit often at 65 degrees. The high and medium-strength varieties could go as low as -65 degrees.
Permatex
The Permatex 24200 Medium Strength Threadlocker Blue is probably the most popular blocker currently in use. It’s suitable for nuts & bolts ranging from ¼ inch – ¾ inch, and it can be easily removed with regular hand tools.
Another interesting product is the Permatex 27010 High Strength Threadlocker Red Gel Twist. It has works with fasteners from ⅜ inches – 1 inch, and are capable of standing much higher torque.
Loctite
The Loctite Heavy Duty 242 Blue Threadlocker is actually identical to the Permatex 24200. Totally interchangeable.
On the other hand, the Loctite 243 Medium Strength is a noteworthy product, which Permatex doesn’t match. It provides a higher tolerance to oil and works well on all types of metals. Even the passive substrates often reject these blockers.
Thread Sealants
Thread sealants were created to bind structures in place. They’re not removable by simple measures like thread lockers. That’s why they’re mostly used in connecting pipes in plumbing, air conditioning, waste management, and several mechanical systems.
Both brands are pretty much the same. For example, the Loctite 565 Thread Sealant and the Permatex 56521 Thread Sealant have the same specs. They both work on NPT thread up to 2 inches, handle temperatures from -65 to 300 degrees, and take on pressures up to 10,000 psi.
Gasket Makers
These adhesives are made for emergency repairs, or when a gasket can’t be used. The created seal resists solvents, tears, and it’s non-corrosive. It can be removed at any time with a putty knife.
There’s a minute difference between the Permatex 51813 Anaerobic Gasket Maker and the Loctite 518 Gasket Sealant. They both fill tiny gaps, with the Loctite going for as small as 0.01 inches, while the Permatex is limited to 0.015 inches. This is hardly significant of course.
Conclusion
Having spent close to thirty years as a single entity, both Permatex and Loctite share the same DNA. Furthermore, they don’t even try to hide it.
That’s why, if you’re looking for adhesives, sealants, or gasket makers, you wouldn’t go wrong if you buy either brand.