Henkel

LOCTITE 518 - Anaerobic Flange Sealant for Aluminum | Henkel

MPN: 518 βœ“ Active
In Stock Ships in 1-3 business days
300 mL cartridge Package
From $13.1 USD / Unit
MOQ: 1 |
Price updated: 2026-09-02
Volume Pricing
Qty Unit Price Extended
1 $18.5 $18.50
10 $17.2 $172.00
100 $15.8 $1,580.00
500 $14.4 $7,200.00
1,000 $13.1 $13,100.00
ℹ️ All prices are in USD

Drop-in alternatives for 518 β€” same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.

Quick Comparison Tool β€” Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:

54540

βœ… Drop-In
πŸ“¦ Cartridge
High-temperature anaerobic gasket maker, same form-in-place anaerobic function, rated to 150 C on machined flanges up to 0.25 mm gap

πŸ“‹ Reference alternative (not in catalog)

51817

βœ… Drop-In
πŸ“¦ Cartridge
Permatex-badged functional equivalent widely used as direct substitute for 518 in automotive flange sealing; exact cured-strength values differ slightly

πŸ“‹ Reference alternative (not in catalog)

AN 305-73

βœ… Drop-In
πŸ“¦ Cartridge
Anaerobic flange sealant, same medium-strength form-in-place function, rated to 150 C per cBallast cross-reference

πŸ“‹ Reference alternative (not in catalog)

1216

βœ… Drop-In
πŸ“¦ Cartridge
ThreeBond anaerobic gasketing grade, equivalent function on machined metal flanges, rated to 150 C per cross-reference chart

πŸ“‹ Reference alternative (not in catalog)

A136

βœ… Drop-In
πŸ“¦ Cartridge
Permabond anaerobic sealant equivalent, same application envelope (machined flanges up to 0.25 mm gap, 150 C)

πŸ“‹ Reference alternative (not in catalog)

518 Maximum Ratings & Electrical Characteristics

Chemical Type Anaerobic sealant (methacrylate ester)
Composition Single component, urea-free formulation
Cure System Anaerobic (cures in absence of air between metal surfaces)
Strength Class Medium strength
Flexibility Semi-flexible cured film
Primer Required No (primerless on most substrates)
Thixotropy Thixotropic (reduces post-application migration)
Substrates Iron, aluminum, steel (ideal for aluminum)
Application Type Form-in-place gasket on rigid flanged joints
Contaminant Tolerance Cures with minor surface contaminants
Standard Package 300 mL cartridge

518 300 ml cartridge Pin Configuration Guide

Complete pinout information for 518 (300 ml cartridge package). This digital IC includes GPIO, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and power pins. Refer to the manufacturer datasheet for alternate pin functions and configuration options. Essential for embedded system design and PCB layout.

300 ml cartridge package pinout diagram for 518

No detailed pinout data available for 518.

Refer to the datasheet for full pin configuration.

Safe Operating Area (SOA) & Thermal Characteristics

Safe Operating Area Chart Default safe operating area chart for 518 Drain-to-Source Voltage (Vds) Drain Current (Id)

No official SOA curve available for this digital IC. Always operate within absolute maximum ratings specified in the datasheet. Ensure adequate cooling and derate as needed.

Typical Applications

518 is suitable for 6 applications: Pump Housing Sealing, Gearbox and Transmission Covers, Automotive Engine Sealing, Valve and Compressor Flanges, Industrial Machinery Assembly, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO).

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Pump Housing Sealing

LOCTITE 518 fits pump housing sealing because it cures anaerobically between close-fitting iron, steel, and aluminum flanges and resists low pressures immediately after assembly, per the Henkel datasheet. In centrifugal and gear pumps, the form-in-place bead conforms to machined faces, eliminating cut-gasket compression-set leaks that develop after thermal cycling. The semi-flexible cured film tolerates minor flange movement from bolt loading and temperature swings, while the thixotropic consistency prevents the bead from slumping into the pumped media before assembly. Dispense a continuous bead across the flange land, assemble promptly, and torque fasteners in sequence; the joint can typically be pressure-tested shortly after closure, with full cure in about 24 hours at room temperature.

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Gearbox and Transmission Covers

Aluminum gearbox and transmission covers are a core application for LOCTITE 518, which Henkel explicitly rates as ideal for aluminum substrates. Cast aluminum housings flex under thermal expansion and bolt clamping; the semi-flexible cured film of 518 accommodates this micro-motion without cracking the seal, a documented advantage over rigid set-in-place gaskets. The anaerobic cure initiates only when air is excluded between the close-fitting faces, giving generous open time for positioning the cover, yet resists low oil pressures immediately after assembly. Clean both machined faces, apply the bead to the cover flange, and install within the skin-over window. Gap should remain small on machined faces for reliable anaerobic cure.

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Automotive Engine Sealing

In automotive engines, LOCTITE 518 replaces cut paper gaskets on valve covers, timing covers, bearing caps, and oil pump joints where OEM procedures specify form-in-place anaerobic sealing. Its resistance to engine oil and coolant, combined with immediate low-pressure sealing after assembly, makes it suitable for wet fluid passages; a documented field use is sealing bearing caps and valve covers on engines whose service manuals specify 518. The medium cured strength allows future teardown with hand tools, important for serviceable engine assemblies. Apply to one cleaned flange face only, avoid excessive bead width that could squeeze into galleries, and assemble before the product skins over for maximum bond integrity.

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Valve and Compressor Flanges

LOCTITE 518 seals valve bonnets, compressor housings, and other rigid flanged joints where the parts datasheet lists sealing close-fitting joints between rigid metal faces. Thixotropic rheology keeps the bead on vertical or overhead bonnet faces without sagging before closure, while the anaerobic cure provides immediate resistance to low pressures so pneumatic or hydraulic testing can proceed quickly. The cured film tolerates vibration-induced flange movement common in reciprocating compressors. Surface preparation with a degreaser is recommended; an activator accelerates cure on plated or passivated surfaces. Because it is medium strength, bonnet removal for valve maintenance remains a hand-tool operation rather than a heat-assisted disassembly.

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Industrial Machinery Assembly

General industrial machine building uses LOCTITE 518 across gearbox splits, bearing housings, and machined covers to standardize fluid-tight joints and eliminate cut-gasket inventory. Henkel positions 518 as the general-purpose, primerless grade for rigid iron, aluminum, and steel flanges, making it the default choice when substrate varies across a machine. Its tolerance of minor surface contaminants improves first-pass yield in real production conditions where perfect cleanliness is impractical. Immediate low-pressure sealing shortens assembly-line leak-test dwell. Standardize application with automated bead dispensing for consistent width, and train assembly staff to close joints within the open time to preserve full anaerobic cure performance.

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Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)

For MRO shops, LOCTITE 518 replaces perished cut gaskets during resealing of pumps, gearboxes, and engine cases without waiting for gasket spares, since the form-in-place bead is cut on demand. The medium-strength cured film permits hand-tool disassembly at the next service, and residue removal is straightforward with scraping plus solvent. Because it cures even with minor surface contamination, field resealing is tolerant of imperfect workshop conditions. The 300 mL cartridge supports many small repairs per unit. For temperature-critical joints, verify service temperature against the manufacturer datasheet before substituting for high-temperature silicone grades, and allow full cure before returning equipment to pressurized service.

Recommended Products Summary

LOCTITE 7649 Activator to accelerate cure on inactive surfaces Used in: Pump Housing Sealing, Valve and Compressor Flanges LOCTITE 243 Medium-strength threadlocker for pump fasteners Used in: Pump Housing Sealing, Gearbox and Transmission Covers, Automotive Engine Sealing, Industrial Machinery Assembly LOCTITE 7063 Primer for fast cure on low-activity substrates Used in: Gearbox and Transmission Covers, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) LOCTITE 5920 Thread sealant for pipe plugs in galleries Used in: Automotive Engine Sealing LOCTITE 567 Thread sealant for related threaded joints Used in: Valve and Compressor Flanges LOCTITE 638 Bearing retention compound Used in: Industrial Machinery Assembly LOCTITE SF 7611 Cleaning solvent for flange preparation Used in: Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO)
What is LOCTITE 518 used for?
LOCTITE 518 is used as a form-in-place anaerobic gasket to seal close-fitting joints between rigid metal flanges. According to the Henkel datasheet, it cures in the absence of air between close-fitting metal surfaces and provides resistance to low pressures immediately after flange assembly. Typical uses include pump housings, gearbox covers, valve bonnets, and machined aluminum flanges where cut paper gaskets are being replaced.
Does LOCTITE 518 need a primer or activator to cure?
No, LOCTITE 518 is a primerless anaerobic sealant on most substrates. According to the Henkel product page, it is a general-purpose, primerless, form-in-place anaerobic flange sealant. On inactive substrates such as plated or passivated surfaces, or at low ambient temperatures, an activator can be used to accelerate cure, but for standard iron, aluminum, and steel flanges no primer is required.
Will LOCTITE 518 cure on aluminum flanges?
Yes. According to Henkel, LOCTITE 518 is specifically ideal for use on aluminum substrates. Aluminum is an active metal surface that supports anaerobic cure well, and the semi-flexible cured film flexes with minor flange movements, which is common in cast aluminum gearbox and pump housings due to thermal expansion and fastener loading.
What is the difference between LOCTITE 515 and LOCTITE 518?
Both are anaerobic flange sealants, but LOCTITE 518 is the softer, more flexible, general-purpose grade optimized for aluminum substrates and flanges with minor movement, while LOCTITE 515 is a higher-strength, more rigid formulation suited to rigid machined iron and steel faces. Per the Henkel family literature, 518 flexes with minor flange movements; choose 518 when joint flexing or aluminum is involved, and 515 for maximum-strength rigid joints.
What is the best drop-in replacement for LOCTITE 518?
The closest cross-referenced equivalents for LOCTITE 518 are Permatex 54540, Weicon AN 305-73, ThreeBond 1216, and Permabond A136. According to the cBallast cross-reference chart, all are rated to 150 C on machined-metal flanges up to a 0.25 mm gap and serve as direct functional replacements for pump housings, gearbox covers, and valve bonnets. Permatex 51817 is also commonly cited by users as the Permatex-badged equivalent.
What is the best Permatex equivalent for LOCTITE 518?
Permatex 54540 (High-Temperature Anaerobic Gasket Maker) is the best cross-referenced Permatex equivalent for LOCTITE 518, and Permatex 51817 is widely used as a direct substitute in automotive repair. According to the Permatex official cross-reference tool and the cBallast chart, these products match 518's anaerobic, form-in-place, medium-strength gasketing function on machined metal flanges. Always verify fluid and temperature compatibility for your specific application before switching.
LOCTITE 518 vs LOCTITE 518FT - which should I use?
LOCTITE 518 is the general-purpose flexible anaerobic flange sealant, while the FT (food-grade) variant carries NSF registration for incidental food contact. For industrial pumps, gearboxes, and engines, standard LOCTITE 518 is the correct choice. Choose the FT grade only when the sealed joint is in food or beverage processing equipment where food-contact compliance is required; mechanically both seal rigid metal flanges form-in-place.
What are the key specifications of LOCTITE 518 that engineers should know?
LOCTITE 518 is a single-component, medium-strength, thixotropic, anaerobic form-in-place flange sealant from Henkel. It is primerless, cures in the absence of air between close-fitting metal surfaces, tolerates minor surface contaminants, resists low pressures immediately after assembly, and cures to a semi-flexible film on iron, aluminum, and steel flanges. It is supplied in 300 mL cartridges and permits disassembly with ordinary hand tools, distinguishing it from high-strength anaerobic retainers.
Where can I download the LOCTITE 518 datasheet PDF?
The official LOCTITE 518 technical datasheet PDF is available directly from Henkel at datasheets.tdx.henkel.com/LOCTITE-518-en_GL.pdf. Mirror copies are also hosted by RS Components at docs.rs-online.com. The datasheet covers product description, typical uncured and cured properties, curing performance, environmental resistance, and storage instructions. Always use the Henkel-hosted version as the authoritative source for design values.
How long does LOCTITE 518 take to fully cure?
According to the Henkel datasheet, LOCTITE 518 provides resistance to low pressures immediately after assembly of flanges, and full cure of anaerobic sealants typically develops over 24 hours at room temperature. Exact fixture and full-cure times depend on gap size, substrate activity, and temperature; consult the manufacturer datasheet curing-performance table for the specific value. Allow the full cure period before applying elevated pressure or temperature.
Can LOCTITE 518 replace a cut paper gasket on a gearbox cover?
Yes, LOCTITE 518 is explicitly designed to replace conventional cut gaskets on rigid metal flanges. Its form-in-place nature eliminates gasket inventory and compression-set leaks, and the semi-flexible cured film flexes with minor flange movement, which suits gearbox covers. Clean and degrease both flange faces, apply a continuous bead on one face, and assemble within minutes to prevent skinning before closure.
How much does LOCTITE 518 cost and where can I buy it?
Pricing for LOCTITE 518 in the 300 mL cartridge format, as of 2026-09-03, ranges approximately from 18.50 USD at quantity 1 down to 13.10 USD at quantity 1000 on XAIPART, with distributor comparison available via Octopart. The part is available through Henkel authorized distributors and industrial MRO suppliers. Bulk users should request volume quotes directly, as cartridge pricing varies significantly by region and distributor stock.
Is LOCTITE 518 removable for maintenance and disassembly?
Yes. LOCTITE 518 is a medium-strength anaerobic sealant, which per the Henkel strength classification means joints can be disassembled with standard hand tools without heat. Residual cured sealant is removed with a scraper or wire brush and Loctite Chisel remover or solvent cleaning. This serviceability is a key advantage over high-strength anaerobic adhesives, which require heating above 250 C for removal.
Is LOCTITE 518 the same as Permatex 51817?
Permatex 51817 is not the same product chemically, but it is widely used as a functional substitute for LOCTITE 518 in automotive sealing applications. Both are anaerobic form-in-place flange sealants for machined metal joints. According to user-reported practice and the Permatex cross-reference guide, 51817 performs the same gasketing function, though exact cured-strength and temperature figures differ; verify against each datasheet for critical joints.
Is LOCTITE 518 suitable for sealing oil galleries and coolant passages?
Yes, LOCTITE 518 is commonly used to seal oil galleries, oil pans, valve covers, and coolant passages in engines and transmissions. According to the Henkel datasheet, it seals close-fitting joints between rigid metal faces and replaces paper gaskets, providing resistance to low pressures immediately after assembly. For submerged fasteners threading into oil galleries, a thread sealant grade is typically preferred, but flange-face oil and coolant sealing is a core 518 application.

Engineering reference data for 518 β€” comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.

Selection Guide

Choose LOCTITE 518 when sealing close-fitting rigid metal flanges - especially aluminum gearbox, pump, or engine joints - where a flexible form-in-place gasket, primerless application, and hand-tool disassembly are required. Choose LOCTITE 515 instead for rigid, higher-strength machined iron or steel joints with minimal flexing. Choose the FT food-grade variant only for food-processing equipment requiring incidental food-contact compliance. Among cross-brand options, Permatex 54540 or 51817, Weicon AN 305-73, ThreeBond 1216, and Permabond A136 are documented equivalents rated to 150 C on flanges up to a 0.25 mm gap; select these for supply-chain resilience or regional availability, but re-verify temperature, chemical, and gap-fill data from each manufacturer datasheet before qualifying a substitution on a critical joint.

Comparison with Alternatives

Parameter This Product 54540 51817 AN 305-73 1216 A136
Package 300 mL cartridge Cartridge Cartridge Cartridge Cartridge Cartridge
Brand Henkel (LOCTITE) Permatex Permatex Weicon ThreeBond Permabond
Sealant Type Anaerobic, form-in-place Anaerobic gasket maker Anaerobic gasket maker Anaerobic flange sealant Anaerobic flange sealant Anaerobic sealant
Strength Class Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium Medium
Max Service Temperature [DATA_NEEDED: service temperature range] 150 C [DATA_NEEDED] 150 C 150 C 150 C
Max Flange Gap [DATA_NEEDED: maximum gap fill] 0.25 mm [DATA_NEEDED] 0.25 mm 0.25 mm 0.25 mm
Primer Required No (primerless) [DATA_NEEDED] [DATA_NEEDED] [DATA_NEEDED] [DATA_NEEDED] [DATA_NEEDED]
Primary Substrates Iron, aluminum, steel Machined metal flanges Machined metal flanges Machined metal flanges Machined metal flanges Machined metal flanges

Key Differentiators

  • Primerless cure on active metals (vs 1216)
  • Aluminum-optimized semi-flexible film (vs 515)
  • Immediate low-pressure sealing (vs 54540)

Design Notes

Anaerobic cure requires metal-to-metal contact at a small gap. Estimated: the cross-reference literature places the reliable anaerobic cure envelope at machined flange gaps up to 0.25 mm; gaps beyond this slow or prevent full cure. Do not use 518 on plastic, coated, or heavily rough-cast surfaces without an activator, and do not fill large chips or machining voids with sealant - those are gasket or repair-compound applications, not form-in-place anaerobic joints.

Flange preparation drives seal reliability. Degrease both mating faces with a solvent cleaner such as Loctite SF 7611 and remove old gasket residue. Apply a single continuous bead centered on the bolt-hole land, never across bolt holes themselves. Assemble parts within the open time (a few minutes at room temperature) before the bead skins over; skinning prevents the faces from wetting and completing the anaerobic cure. Torque fasteners in the specified crosswise sequence.

For service readiness, plan around two time constants: immediate handling strength and full cure. Per the Henkel datasheet, 518 resists low pressures immediately after flange assembly, so light leak testing can follow promptly. Full chemical and pressure resistance develops over roughly 24 hours at room temperature (confirm the exact value in the curing-performance table). Cold workshops and inactive substrates extend these times; use an activator such as LOCTITE 7649 to accelerate cure where required.

Compliance Information

RoHS
Not Applicable
REACH
Unknown
AEC-Q100
Not Applicable
Lead Free
Not Applicable
Halogen Free
Unknown
Conflict Minerals
Unknown

This is a chemical sealant product, not an electronic component; RoHS/AEC-Q100 are not applicable. REACH status per Henkel SDS: unknown from provided data.

Data verified on: 2026-09-03 β€” data verified and curated by XAIPART's component engineering team

Related Searches

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Related Components & Terms

Henkel LOCTITE 518 LOCTITE 515 Permatex 54540 Permatex 51817 ThreeBond 1216 Permabond A136 Weicon AN 305-73 anaerobic sealant form-in-place gasket flange sealant thixotropic medium strength anaerobic aluminum flange gearbox cover sealing pump housing sealing LOCTITE 7649 activator gasketing

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