When a failure of your product happens far away from your production plant, it doesn’t make the consequences of it any less painful for you as the manufacturer.

For the largest manufacturer of bicycles in India, exactly this kind of challenge happened when threaded fasteners started loosening while the bicycles were running. And that means there was a person on them at the moment of the failure, whose safety and wellbeing depended (among other things) on that bicycle staying in one piece.

The loosening started occurring due to some changes made in the design of the rear wheel hub assembly and the designers were facing one of the most common limitations in designing: reconciling efficiency, aesthetics and functionality. Experts from the Loctite team took up the challenge, and after a thorough analysis of customer requirement and risk factors implied, suggested Loctite 263.

Loctite 263 is a red, dual cure, acrylic dimethacrylate ester fluorescent threadlocker designed for the permanent locking and sealing of threaded fasteners. It cures between close fitting metal surfaces and prevents loosening and leakage from shock and vibration. It works on active metals (e.g. brass, copper) and passive substrates such as stainless steel and plated surfaces.

Application of Loctite 263 prevented loosening of fasteners, provided controlled torque to reduce bolt damage rejection, provided easy disassembly when required and enhanced the reliability of the bicycles. And the manufacturer could breathe a big sigh of relief.

Of course, apart from the Loctite 263, there are other grades and product options, depending on the needs of the particular application.