Loctite

Loctite is a global brand of adhesives, sealants, surface treatments, repair compounds, and related dispensing technologies. Although the brand is now owned by the German chemical and consumer-goods group Henkel, its origins are American. In 1953, chemist and Trinity College professor Vernon K. Krieble developed an anaerobic adhesive in a basement laboratory in Hartford, Connecticut. The technology was designed to prevent threaded fasteners from loosening under vibration, a recurring source of mechanical failure. Krieble commercialized the invention through American Sealants, the company that established the Loctite brand. The name Loctite was selected in 1956 by Nancy Brayton Krieble, Vernon Krieble's daughter-in-law. The product made its public debut at a press conference at New York's University Club on July 26 of that year. Its early proposition was highly specialized: a liquid compound could fill the clearance between a fastener and its mating threads and cure in the absence of air, helping secure assemblies without relying solely on mechanical locking methods. This anaerobic technology became the foundation of the brand's identity and remains central to its industrial product portfolio. American Sealants changed its name to Loctite Corporation in 1963. After Vernon Krieble died in 1964, his son Robert H. Krieble, also a chemist, led the company as chief executive through 1985. During the following decades, Loctite broadened beyond threadlockers. In 1964 it introduced cyanoacrylate adhesives using technology associated with Eastman Chemical, later widely recognized in consumer markets as instant or super-glue products. The company subsequently developed or marketed silicone, epoxy, acrylic, hot-melt, urethane, ultraviolet/light-curing, and other adhesive and sealing technologies. The brand's scope expanded across manufacturing, automotive, transportation, electronics, construction, maintenance, repair, hobby, and selected medical applications. Its offerings include threadlockers and thread sealants, retaining compounds for cylindrical assemblies, gasketing products, structural adhesives, instant adhesives, repair and rebuilding compounds, anti-seize products, lubricants, protective coatings, concrete and flooring repair materials, cleaners, degreasers, potting and encapsulation systems, solder pastes, and application equipment. Products are sold in both professional and consumer channels, with industrial systems often combining the chemical formulation with tailored dispensers, valves, pumps, controllers, curing systems, and monitoring equipment. Henkel acquired Loctite in 1997 and made it one of its flagship adhesive brands. Under Henkel, Loctite has remained an internationally distributed brand within the company's Adhesive Technologies business. Its positioning combines engineering credibility, reliability, productivity, and repair efficiency. Representative products include Loctite 243 threadlocker, Loctite 401 instant adhesive, and Loctite 510 gasketing sealant, although the portfolio varies by market and application. The brand also has a motorsport association through historical technical partnerships and sponsorships, including relationships with McLaren, Team Lotus, and Japanese GT500 teams. Loctite continues to serve industrial customers as well as tradespeople, mechanics, manufacturers, and hobbyists.

Loctite's history began in 1953, when Vernon K. Krieble, a professor and chemist at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut, developed an anaerobic threadlocking adhesive in a basement laboratory. The formulation addressed a practical engineering problem: mechanical fasteners could loosen under vibration, contributing to equipment failure. Unlike conventional liquid adhesives that cure through exposure to air or evaporation, anaerobic products cure when confined between close-fitting metal surfaces and deprived of oxygen. This made the technology particularly useful for threaded assemblies. Krieble commercialized the invention through American Sealants, which created the Loctite brand. In 1956, the name Loctite was chosen by Nancy Brayton Krieble, the founder's daughter-in-law. The product was formally presented to the public on July 26, 1956, at a press event at New York's University Club. The brand's early message centered on improving mechanical reliability by securing fasteners without requiring complex redesigns of machinery. American Sealants became Loctite Corporation in 1963. Following Vernon Krieble's death in 1964, his son Robert H. Krieble, a chemist, served as chief executive until 1985. That period saw the company move beyond its original threadlocking specialization. In 1964, Loctite introduced cyanoacrylate adhesives based on technology associated with Eastman Chemical. These products later became widely known as instant adhesives or super glue. The company subsequently added silicone, epoxy, acrylic, and other adhesive technologies, while continuing to develop new anaerobic formulations. The product range expanded further during the 1980s, including micro-anaerobic adhesive products. Over time, Loctite developed a broad industrial chemistry platform covering bonding, sealing, retaining, repair, coating, cleaning, lubrication, potting, encapsulation, soldering, and surface preparation. Its technologies serve assembly lines and maintenance operations as well as automotive repair, construction, electronics, hobby, and other applications. In several categories, the brand supplies not only chemical products but also compatible dispensing, curing, and process-control equipment. Henkel acquired Loctite in 1997. The acquisition placed the brand within Henkel's global adhesive portfolio and gave it access to a larger international manufacturing, research, sales, and distribution network. Loctite continued to operate as a distinct market-facing brand, especially in engineering adhesives and maintenance products. Its historical reputation for threadlockers remained important, while its portfolio broadened to meet the needs of manufacturers and professional users requiring structural bonding, gasketing, surface treatment, and repair solutions. The brand also developed visibility through motorsport. It was associated with McLaren through technical partnership and sponsorship arrangements during the team's Mercedes era, including periods before and after Henkel's acquisition. Loctite also sponsored Team Lotus in 1993 and 1994 and served as a primary sponsor for Mugen and Nismo teams in Japan's GT500 category in 2000 and 2001. These associations reinforced the brand's connection with vibration resistance, mechanical performance, and demanding operating conditions. Today, Loctite is an active international brand owned by Henkel. It serves industrial and consumer markets with products spanning anaerobic threadlockers, thread sealants, instant adhesives, structural adhesives, epoxies, silicones, protective coatings, repair compounds, cleaners, lubricants, and related application systems. Its central brand promise remains dependable joining, sealing, fastening, and repair performance across demanding technical applications.

• 1997

  Acquired by Henkel

  [1]Loctiteen.wikipedia.org

  Henkel acquired Loctite and retained it as a major adhesive brand.

• 1980

  Micro-anaerobic products developed

  [1]Loctiteen.wikipedia.org

  The company expanded its anaerobic technology with a line of micro-anaerobic adhesives during the 1980s.

• 1964

  Cyanoacrylate adhesives added

  [1]Loctiteen.wikipedia.org

  Loctite introduced cyanoacrylate adhesives, extending the brand beyond anaerobic threadlocking products.

• 1963

  Corporate name changed to Loctite Corporation

  [1]Loctiteen.wikipedia.org

  American Sealants adopted the Loctite Corporation name.

• 1956

  Loctite brand publicly introduced

  [1]Loctiteen.wikipedia.org

  The Loctite name was selected and the sealant was presented publicly at a New York press conference.

• 1953

  Anaerobic adhesive developed

  [1]Loctiteen.wikipedia.org

  Vernon K. Krieble developed an anaerobic threadlocking adhesive in his laboratory in Hartford, Connecticut.

Professional, high-performance bonding, sealing, fastening, repair, and surface-treatment solutions for industrial, maintenance, automotive, construction, electronics, medical, and consumer applications.

• Threadlocking adhesives · 1953

  Loctite anaerobic threadlockers

  Liquid or semi-solid formulations designed to secure threaded fasteners by curing in confined spaces between close-fitting metal surfaces. They help resist vibration-induced loosening and are available in grades suited to different strength, temperature, service, and disassembly requirements.

• Sealants

  Loctite thread sealants and gasketing products

  Products used to seal threaded joints, flanges, and mating surfaces against leakage. The range includes anaerobic thread sealants and formed-in-place gasket materials, supporting applications in machinery, automotive systems, piping, and industrial equipment.

• Cyanoacrylate adhesives · 1964

  Loctite instant adhesives

  Fast-curing cyanoacrylate adhesives for bonding suitable materials in industrial assembly, repair, maintenance, and consumer or hobby applications. The range grew from the company's 1964 introduction of cyanoacrylate products.

• Epoxy and structural bonding

  Loctite structural adhesives

  High-performance bonding systems based on epoxy, acrylic, urethane, and related chemistries. These products are intended for stronger or more durable joints than general-purpose instant adhesives and are used across industrial assembly, transportation, electronics, and repair.

• Medium-strength threadlocker

  Loctite 243

  A representative Loctite anaerobic threadlocking product used to secure threaded fasteners while allowing service disassembly with appropriate tools. Product suitability depends on substrate, temperature, joint design, and the manufacturer's technical specifications.

• Instant adhesive

  Loctite 401

  A representative Loctite cyanoacrylate adhesive for rapid bonding in maintenance, manufacturing, repair, and general-purpose applications. Its use is determined by the materials being joined and the required gap, strength, and environmental performance.

• Formed-in-place gasket sealant

  Loctite 510

  A representative Loctite gasketing sealant for forming seals between rigid mating surfaces. It belongs to the brand's broader family of products for sealing flanges and preventing leakage in mechanical assemblies.

• 2000Japanese GT500 team sponsorships

  Japan

  Loctite served as a primary sponsor for Mugen and Nismo teams competing in Japan's Grand Touring Car Championship GT500 class.

  Outcome. The sponsorship is described as covering 2000 and 2001.

  Source
• 1995McLaren technical partnership

  International motorsport

  Loctite participated in a technical partnership with McLaren beginning during the team's Mercedes partnership. The relationship continued through the later period in which Loctite was owned by Henkel.

  Outcome. The partnership was extended through 2007 according to the reference material.

  Source
• 1993Team Lotus sponsorship

  International motorsport

  Loctite sponsored the original Team Lotus during the 1993 and 1994 seasons, associating the brand with high-performance engineering and motorsport reliability.

  Outcome. Historical sponsorship completed; no further outcome is specified in the reference material.

  Source

• 1997

  Henkel acquisitionM&A

  Background

  Loctite had developed into a diversified industrial adhesives and sealants company with international applications.

  Action taken

  Henkel acquired Loctite and incorporated it into its adhesive businesses.

  Aftermath

  Loctite continued as a major Henkel brand with global distribution and a broad industrial and consumer portfolio.

  Source

• 1964

  Expanded into cyanoacrylate adhesivesProduct launch

  Background

  Loctite's original business focused on anaerobic threadlocking and sealing technology.

  Action taken

  Introduced cyanoacrylate adhesives, later associated with instant or super-glue applications.

  Aftermath

  The launch began the expansion of the brand into a broader adhesive portfolio.

  Source

• 1963

  Adopted the Loctite corporate identityStrategy

  Background

  The company had established a branded product around its anaerobic sealant technology and changed its corporate name from American Sealants.

  Action taken

  Changed the company name to Loctite Corporation.

  Aftermath

  The corporate identity became aligned with the developing Loctite brand.

  Source

• Unconfirmed

  Henkel launches five next-generation medical device adhesives[3]汉高推出五款新一代医疗器械胶粘剂webwire.com

  Henkel announced the launch of five next-generation light cure medical device adhesives: Loctite AA 3914, AA 3915, AA 3917, AA 3937 and AA 3964.

• 2026.08.20

  Reported2026.08.20

  Henkel launches Loctite ABLESTIK CDF900 conductive die attach film series[4]汉高推出Loctite ABLESTIK CDF900导电芯片贴装膜系列digitimes.com

  Henkel Adhesive Technologies announced the launch of its next-generation Loctite ABLESTIK CDF900 conductive die attach film (cDAF) series at SEMICON Taiwan 2026, with thermal conductivity exceeding 8 W/m-K, targeting AI, 5G/6G and HPC semiconductor packaging applications.

• Unconfirmed

  Henkel Loctite and JD Industrial expand their channel collaboration[5]汉高乐泰与京东工业品深化渠道合作finance.jrj.com.cn

  Henkel Loctite and JD Industrial are collaborating on channel management and digitalization. Loctite’s core products are available through JD Industrial, and the parties have introduced one-stop professional solutions for several industrial sectors.

Read more

1. 1Loctiteen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Loctite Worldwideloctite.com
3. 3汉高推出五款新一代医疗器械胶粘剂webwire.com
4. 4汉高推出Loctite ABLESTIK CDF900导电芯片贴装膜系列digitimes.com
5. 5汉高乐泰与京东工业品深化渠道合作finance.jrj.com.cn
6. 6漢高漢高推出 LOCTITE ABLESTIK CDF900 系列導電晶粒接著膜突破 AI 與次世代通訊的散熱瓶頸 | 蕃新聞n.yam.com
7. 7漢高推出 LOCTITE ABLESTIK CDF900 系列導電晶粒接著膜 | 蕃新聞n.yam.com
8. 8漢高推出 LOCTITE ABLESTIK CDF900 系列導電晶粒接著膜｜中央社財經訊息平台cna.com.tw