Product Name
Permabond LH050 Anaerobic Thread Sealant
Brief Description
Permabond LH050 is a single-component, white, smooth paste anaerobic pipe sealant formulated with PTFE. It is designed to cure in the absence of oxygen and in contact with metal ions, providing an instant air pressure seal. Once cured, it seals to the burst rating of the pipe, effectively preventing leaks of various fluids and gases, and also locks threaded connections against vibration loosening and tampering. A key feature is its low locking strength, which allows for easy disassembly using normal tools when maintenance is required.
Popular Applications & Uses
- Sealing threaded metal pipe joints.- Sealing devices handling gasoline, petroleum oils, and natural gas (up to 2-inch pipe size; natural gas pressure not over 300 psig).- Sealing devices handling propane and butane (up to 1-inch pipe size).- Use in sprinkler system and water spray system piping containing air, nitrogen, water, propylene glycol, or glycerol antifreeze solutions (up to 2-inch pipe size).- Sealing against hydraulic fluids, air, gases, and various chemicals.- Locking pipes, plugs, or fittings to prevent vibration loosening and tampering.- General pipe maintenance and assembly tasks.- Replacing traditional pipe dopes and pipe tapes.- Sealing pipes that cannot be fully seated, offering directional freedom for fittings.
Industries that Commonly Use It
- Automotive Service/Repair- Construction/Building Services (including fire protection and plumbing)- Energy (for natural gas, petroleum, propane, and butane systems)- Petroleum Industry, Products or Services- Pool/Spa/Plumbing- General Manufacturing- Chemical Industry- Transportation/Specialty Vehicle
Special and Unique Features
- Anaerobic curing: Cures in the absence of oxygen and in contact with metal surfaces.- Contains PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) for enhanced sealing performance.- Provides an instant air pressure seal up to 1000 psi with limited hand tightening.- The cured seal typically exceeds the burst rating of the pipe itself.- Features low locking strength, allowing for easy disassembly with normal tools for maintenance.- Will not shred, tear, or cause blockages in piping systems, unlike traditional pipe tapes.- Allows for directional freedom of pipe joints, as it seals even when threads are not fully seated.- Does not contain solvents.- Cures at room temperature.- UL Classified by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. for various applications, including devices handling gasoline, petroleum oils, natural gas, propane, butane, and sprinkler/water spray systems.- NSF/ANSI 61 Certified for drinking water system components (specifically for the LH050 PURE variant).
Key Properties
- Chemical Composition: Methacrylate esters.- Appearance: White paste.- Viscosity @ 25°C: 250,000 mPa.s (cP).- Specific Gravity: 1.1.- Maximum Gap Fill: 0.5 mm (0.02 in).- Handling Strength (M10 steel @23°C): 2 hours.- Full Strength (M10 steel @23°C): 24 hours.- Temperature Resistance: Operates from -55°C (-65°F) to 177°C (350°F) for sealing, with tolerance for higher temperatures for brief periods.- Torque Strength (M10 steel ISO10964): Break: 4 N·m (35 in.lb), Prevail: 3 N·m (25 in.lb).- Compressive Shear Strength (steel collar & pin ISO10123): 7 MPa (1,000 psi).- Chemical Resistance: Excellent resistance to hydraulic fluids, air, gases, chemicals, water, steam, hydrocarbons, most acids, solvents, and glycol-based products.
Surface Compatibility
- Performs well on most metals, particularly steel and brass.- Also effective on aluminum and stainless steel, though cure speed may be slower on inactive or passivated surfaces.- Super active surfaces (e.g., brass, copper, iron) promote very fast cure.- Active surfaces (e.g., steel, cadmium finishes, nickel, zinc) result in fast cure.- Inactive surfaces (e.g., anodized aluminum, chrome finishes, aluminum, passivated metals, titanium) may experience slower cure times.- Passive surfaces (e.g., ceramics, glass, magnesium, plastics, painted finishes) may require an activator (such as Permabond ASC10) for proper curing.- Not recommended for use on plastic components.- Not recommended for use in contact with oxygen, oxygen-rich systems, or strong oxidizing materials.- Users should check compatibility with thermoplastics before use.- Best results are achieved on clean, dry, and grease-free surfaces.
Known backups / known substitutes
- Traditional pipe dopes and pipe tapes (Permabond LH050 serves as a modern alternative).- Other anaerobic thread sealants from Permabond, such as Permabond LM012 and LH054.- Permabond activators A905 or ASC10 can be used to accelerate cure speed, especially on inactive surfaces.
Comparison Note
Permabond LH050 offers significant advantages over traditional pipe dopes and tapes by providing superior sealing capabilities that typically exceed the burst rating of the pipe after full cure. Unlike conventional tapes, it eliminates the risk of shredding, tearing, or causing blockages within piping systems. Its unique formulation allows for directional freedom of pipe joints, as it effectively seals connections even when threads cannot be fully seated, a limitation often encountered with other sealing methods. Furthermore, while providing a secure lock against vibration, its low locking strength ensures that fittings can still be easily disassembled for maintenance using standard tools.
