DELO-ML Anaerobic Adhesives
DELO-ML adhesives are one-component, anaerobic curing adhesives used for bonding, thread locking, and sealing metal assemblies where cure is initiated through contact with metal ions in the absence of oxygen. The range covers standard grades for thread locking and sealing, high-strength formulations for metal bonding, and dual-curing grades offering visible-light fixation for immediate handling followed by full anaerobic cure within the joint.
What is an Anaerobic Adhesive?
Anaerobic adhesives are single-component, methacrylate-based adhesives that remain liquid while exposed to air but cure rapidly when confined between closely fitting metal parts where oxygen is excluded. Metal ions present on steel, iron, brass, and other metallic surfaces initiate the polymerisation reaction, forming a strong, durable bond without requiring heat, UV light, or mixing.
DELO-ML anaerobic adhesives cure at room temperature through metal ion contact. Curing progresses from the confined interface outwards, and full strength development depends on joint geometry and metal surface condition. The production environment and surface preparation directly affect cure speed and should be controlled to achieve consistent results.
The properties that distinguish DELO-ML from standard thread-locking sealants are the shear strength performance and thermal stability, which are formulated for demanding industrial, automotive, and electromechanical assemblies rather than general-purpose applications.
The key features of DELO-ML anaerobic adhesives are:
- High compression and shear strength: cured adhesive delivers strong metal-to-metal bonds that resist mechanical stress, vibration, and clamp load loss throughout service life
- Anaerobic cure at room temperature: no heat source, UV lamp, or mixing equipment required, with fixation occurring within minutes of confinement between metal surfaces
- Wide temperature resistance: suitable for applications operating from -60°C up to sustained elevated temperatures at 200°C in industrial and automotive environments
- Metal-specific performance: delivers reliable bonding and sealing on steel, iron, brass, and other ferrous and non-ferrous metals through metal ion activation
- Vibration and loosening resistance: maintains joint integrity under dynamic stress, vibration, and thermal cycling without loss of clamp load or sealing performance
- Flexible and tension-equalising grades: selected formulations absorb stress concentrations and mechanical movement without cracking, protecting brittle components and reducing noise
- Dual-curing options: selected grades offer visible-light fixation for rapid initial handling, followed by full anaerobic cure within the joint for improved process control
Magnet Bonding in Electric Motor Assemblies Using DELO‑ML Adhesives
DELO‑ML adhesives are widely used for magnet bonding in electric motors, where permanent magnets are secured to rotors, stators, or motor housings with high positional accuracy.
These one‑component anaerobic adhesives cure in the absence of oxygen and in contact with metal, making them ideally suited to closely fitting magnet and metal assemblies. They are selected because they distribute stresses evenly, reduce vibration and noise, and avoid magnetic interference associated with mechanical fasteners.
DELO‑ML adhesives also offer excellent resistance to heat, vibration, and chemicals, supporting long service life in demanding motor environments. Dual‑curing grades allow rapid light fixation for immediate handling, followed by full anaerobic cure within the joint, improving process speed and production reliability.
Ferrite Bonding in Electronic Assemblies Using DELO‑ML Adhesives
DELO‑ML adhesives are also widely used for ferrite bonding in electronics and electromechanical assemblies, particularly in transformers, inductors and related components.
Their anaerobic curing mechanism makes them ideally suited to ferrite‑to‑metal and ferrite‑to‑ferrite joints where closely fitting bond lines are required.
High‑viscosity grades prevent adhesive run‑off from narrow gaps and vertical assemblies, improving process control during handling and storage. Flexible, tension‑equalising formulations help protect brittle ferrite materials by reducing stress concentrations within the joint, supporting reliable assembly and long‑term mechanical stability in compact, high‑density designs.
DELO-ML Applications
DELO-ML anaerobic adhesives are used where anaerobic cure at room temperature, high compression and shear strength, and resistance to vibration, thermal cycling, and thermal extremes are required in metal assemblies.
Thread Locking and Pipe Sealing
DELO-ML anaerobic adhesives lock threaded fasteners and seal pipe joints where vibration and temperature cycling would otherwise cause fastener loosening. The adhesive fills the gap between the thread pitch and fastener shank, distributing mechanical stress evenly and maintaining clamp load throughout service life. Different viscosity grades prevent adhesive run-off on horizontal and vertical assemblies and accommodate varying thread pitches.
Magnet Bonding in Electric Motors
DELO-ML adhesives bond permanent magnets to rotors, stators, and motor housings where magnets must be secured with high positional accuracy and vibration resistance. The adhesive distributes stresses evenly across the magnet-metal interface, reducing vibration and noise whilst avoiding magnetic interference from mechanical fasteners. Dual-curing grades allow rapid light fixation for immediate handling, followed by full anaerobic cure within the joint, improving production speed and reliability.
Ferrite Bonding in Electronics Assemblies
DELO-ML anaerobic adhesives bond ferrite cores to metal housings and substrates in transformers, inductors, and related components where closely fitting bond lines and stress distribution are required. High-viscosity grades prevent adhesive run-off from narrow gaps in vertical assemblies. Flexible, tension-equalising formulations protect brittle ferrite materials by reducing stress concentrations within the joint, supporting reliable assembly and long-term mechanical stability.
Shaft and Hub Bonding
DELO-ML adhesives retain cylindrical components, including hubs, pulleys, and sleeves on shafts, where the adhesive provides radial and axial load capacity. The adhesive fills the gap between shaft and hub, transmitting mechanical loads evenly across the joint surface without relying on friction alone. Temperature resistance from -60°C to 200°C supports applications in environments ranging from cryogenic equipment to engine compartments.
Metal-to-Metal Bonding and Sealing Flanged Joints
DELO-ML anaerobic adhesives bond and seal flanged metal assemblies, including gearboxes, hydraulic manifolds, and metal housings, where the adhesive prevents fluid leakage and maintains structural integrity under pressure and thermal load. Chemical resistance to oils, fuels, and industrial fluids supports long service life in harsh industrial and automotive environments.
Got a Question About Anaerobic Cured Adhesives?
Whether you’re developing a new product or refining an existing process, Inseto’s team of experts is here to help.
From selecting the right anaerobic cured adhesive to optimising your curing process, we provide technical guidance, documentation, and samples to support your application needs.
Example Applications Using Anaerobic Cured Adhesive
DELO-ML Anaerobic Cured Adhesive Product Range
DELO-ML Bonding Products
- The majority cure through two mechanisms (Dual-Curing / Dual Bonding)
- Free of solvents
- Tension-equalizing
- Very good temperature resistance
- Fast fixation
- High-strength
- Used for: Glass/metal bondings, small metal areas with high fitting accuracy, screw locking and thread sealing
Product 5127
Properties
300 Viscosity
Anaerobic & UV Adhesive
Yellow / transparent
Universal for thread locking and pipes, can also bond to glass & stainless steel, excellent thermal resistance
Product 5250
Properties
1,500 Viscosity
Anaerobic Adhesive
Blue / fluorescent
Medium strength, universal for thread locking and pipes, excellent chemical resistance
Product DB133
Properties
730 Viscosity
Anaerobic & UV Adhesive
Colourless / transparent
High strength, flexible, universal for thread-locking, excellent chemical resistance
Product DB140
Properties
900 Viscosity
Anaerobic & UV Adhesive
Yellowish / fluorescent
High strength, universal for thread-locking, excellent chemical & thermal resistance, meets ANSI/UL 94 HB flame test
Product DB154
Properties
6,000 Viscosity
Anaerobic & UV Adhesive
Yellow / fluorescent
High strength, excellent chemical & temperature resistance
Product DB180
Properties
10,000 Viscosity
Anaerobic & UV Adhesive
Yellow / fluorescent
Flexible, high strength, excellent chemical & thermal resistance
Product UB160
Properties
6,800 Viscosity
Anaerobic Adhesive
Green
High strength, wide operating temperature range (-60°C to 200°C), excellent chemical resistance
Knowledge Base Articles
Related Products
FAQs
How do DELO-ML anaerobic adhesives cure?
DELO-ML anaerobic adhesives cure through contact with metal ions in the absence of oxygen. The adhesive remains liquid while exposed to air and begins to cure when confined between closely fitting metal parts where oxygen is excluded. Cure speed depends on the metal surface condition, joint geometry, and adhesive viscosity grade. No heat source, UV lamp, or mixing is required.
How long does DELO-ML take to reach full cure?
Fixation occurs within minutes of confinement between metal surfaces, depending on the grade and metal type. Full strength development depends on joint geometry and metal surface condition and can require several hours. Assemblies with loose tolerances or non-metallic surfaces will require proportionally longer cure times before handling or testing.
What metals do DELO-ML anaerobic adhesives bond to?
DELO-ML anaerobic adhesives adhere to ferrous metals, including steel and iron, and non-ferrous metals such as brass, copper, and aluminium. Cure activation depends on metal ion availability at the surface, so surface conditions directly affect cure speed and final bond strength. Surface preparation, including cleaning and degreasing, is required before application to achieve consistent adhesion across all metal types.
What is the difference between DELO-ML grades, and how do I choose the right one?
DELO-ML anaerobic adhesives are supplied in a range of viscosity grades from 300 to 10,000 mPa·s, each formulated for different applications and assembly geometries. Lower viscosity grades flow into fine threads and tight gaps; higher viscosity grades prevent run-off from vertical assemblies and large surface areas.
Can DELO-ML be used on stainless steel?
DELO-ML anaerobic adhesives can be used on stainless steel, but cure activation depends on the availability of metal ions at the surface. Passivated stainless steel surfaces with minimal oxide content may cure more slowly. Surface preparation, including gentle abrasion or solvent cleaning, can improve cure speed and final bond strength on stainless steel and other low-ion surfaces.
What temperature range can DELO-ML withstand?
DELO-ML anaerobic adhesives maintain their physical and chemical properties across a wide service temperature range from -60°C to 200°C. High-temperature applications above 150°C should be confirmed with technical data and application testing. DELO-ML UB160 is specifically formulated for the full -60°C to 200°C range across all grades.
Can I get samples or technical support from Inseto?
Inseto provides technical support, product documentation, and samples for the full DELO-ML range. As the exclusive UK and Ireland DELO distributor, Inseto can advise on grade selection, surface preparation, cure activation strategies, and dispensing equipment for your specific application. Send an enquiry using the form below or call us on +44 (0)1264 334505.
Further Information
Applications
Bonding, Sealing, Encapsulation; Magnet & Ferrite Bonding; Dual-Curing for Edge Sealing; Metal Bonding; Thread-locking
Industry Segments
E-Motors, Battery Pack Assembly; Mechanical Engineering, Metal Processing, Electronics/Electrical Engineering
View more details about DELO-ML on the DELO Website
https://www.delo-adhesives.com/products/adhesives/detail/delo-ml/
Region
Available from Inseto in the United Kingdom & Ireland
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