Anaerobic Adhesive BORN2BOND™ RA-WL

BORN2BOND™ RA-WL anaerobic adhesive: oil-tolerant threadlocker and bearing retainer

The BORN2BOND™ RA-WL anaerobic adhesive is designed for oily environments: it cures even in the presence of oil contamination, where conventional adhesives fail.

It provides both threadlocking and bearing retention, with reliable mechanical strength on ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Ideal for industrial maintenance and production lines, it eliminates the downtime associated with systematically degreasing parts.

What is BORN2BOND™ RA-WL and how does it work?

The BORN2BOND™ RA-WL is a high-performance anaerobic adhesive developed by Intertronics. It is designed for two critical industrial uses: threadlocking and bearing retention, even in the presence of residual oil on surfaces.

This is precisely what sets it apart: where most conventional anaerobic adhesives require clean and degreased surfaces, the RA-WL tolerates oil films. There is no need for extensive cleaning prior to application.

Anaerobic curing principle: why this adhesive hardens without air

Anaerobic curing relies on a simple mechanism: the adhesive remains liquid as long as it is in contact with oxygen. As soon as it is confined between two metal surfaces, oxygen is excluded and the reaction begins.

Metal ions present on the surface (steel, cast iron, brass, etc.) accelerate the curing process. The result is a strong, vibration- and fluid-resistant seal that completely fills the gap between parts.

On oily surfaces, the RA-WL formulation incorporates specific agents that displace the oil film during tightening, allowing the adhesive to reach the metal and cure properly. At Dagobert Industrie, we offer this product for maintenance environments where systematic degreasing is not always feasible.

Technical specifications and performance of BORN2BOND™ RA-WL

The BORN2BOND™ RA-WL is a high-performance anaerobic adhesive formulated to function even in the presence of residual oil on surfaces.

This is its main advantage: where most conventional anaerobic adhesives fail on slightly oily parts, the RA-WL cures properly without systematic prior cleaning.

It covers two main applications:

• Threadlocking: locking threaded assemblies subjected to vibration
• Bearing retention: securing cylindrical fits with clearance

Here are its key features:

Feature	BORN2BOND™ RA-WL	Standard anaerobic (e.g., Loctite 243)
Oil tolerance	High	Low to medium
Applications	Threadlocking + bearing retention	Mainly threadlocking
Removal resistance	Medium (removable with tools)	Medium
Thermal resistance	Up to ~150 °C	Up to ~150 °C
Compatible substrates	Active and passive metals	Mainly active metals

The RA-WL is particularly suitable for industrial maintenance environments where complete degreasing of parts is not always achievable.

Its thixotropic viscosity facilitates application on vertical surfaces without running, which simplifies on-site work.

BORN2BOND™ RA-WL vs. other anaerobic retaining adhesives: comparison table

Comparison with Loctite 638, Loctite 648, and other market standards

The BORN2BOND™ RA-WL anaerobic adhesive is distinguished by its oil tolerance, a rare characteristic among high-strength bearing retainers and threadlockers.

Here is how it compares to the most common standards on the market.

Product	Manufacturer	Strength	Oil tolerance	Main use	Removal
BORN2BOND™ RA-WL	Intertronics	High	Yes	Bearings, threads, oily surfaces	Possible with heat
Loctite 638	Henkel	High	Limited	Cylindrical fixation (large gaps)	Difficult
Loctite 648	Henkel	Very high	No	High-temperature cylindrical fixation	Very difficult
Loctite 243	Henkel	Medium	Partial	General purpose threadlocking	Easy with tools
Permabond HH120	Permabond	High	Partial	Bearings, cylindrical assemblies	Possible with heat

The RA-WL cures effectively even on oil-contaminated surfaces, whereas Loctite 648 or 638 require rigorous prior degreasing.

For threadlocking, it rivals Loctite 243 while offering much better tolerance to oily surfaces, which reduces preparation steps in the workshop.

At Dagobert Industrie, we recommend the RA-WL for all assemblies where complete degreasing is not guaranteed or difficult to ensure during production.

Typical applications and areas of use for BORN2BOND™ RA-WL

The BORN2BOND™ RA-WL is an anaerobic adhesive designed for two main uses: threadlocking and bearing retention. What is unique about it? It cures properly even in the presence of residual oil on surfaces.

This is a decisive advantage in industrial maintenance, where perfect degreasing is rarely possible. There is no need to dry the part to perfection before applying the product.

Here are the most common practical applications:

• Threadlocking on screws, bolts, and studs exposed to vibration
• Bearing retention, bushings, and sleeves on shafts or in bores
• Assemblies in oily environments (gearboxes, reducers, engines)
• Maintenance on machine tools and production equipment
• Fixation of coaxial cylindrical parts with moderate clearance

The RA-WL is particularly suitable for ferrous and non-ferrous metals: steel, cast iron, aluminum, brass. It is used on threads up to approximately M36 and on cylindrical assemblies with clearances up to 0.15 mm.

In heavy maintenance workshops or on production lines, this product simplifies the process: you save time by eliminating the systematic degreasing step.

Instructions for use and application tips for BORN2BOND™ RA-WL

The BORN2BOND™ RA-WL is an anaerobic adhesive designed to work even in the presence of residual oil. Here is how to apply it correctly for optimal results.

Surface cleaning: degrease as much as possible, even though the RA-WL tolerates oil. The less oil there is, the higher the final strength will be.

Apply a few drops of product directly onto the thread or the bearing housing. There is no need to use too much: the adhesive will distribute itself during assembly.

Assemble immediately after application. The product begins to cure as soon as air is excluded, this is the core principle of anaerobic adhesives.

Setting and curing time

The handling time is approximately 10 to 20 minutes depending on the temperature and the amount of oil present. Full strength is reached after 24 hours at room temperature.

To accelerate curing on passive substrates (stainless steel, zinc, aluminum), use a compatible anaerobic activator, applied to one of the two surfaces before bonding.

Application precautions

• Recommended application temperature: +5 °C to +25 °C
• Do not apply to hot surfaces (above 150 °C during service)
• Avoid contact with eyes and skin, wearing gloves is recommended
• Close the bottle immediately after use to prevent premature curing

At Dagobert Industrie, we recommend the RA-WL for threadlocking and bearing retention applications in oily environments, where standard anaerobic adhesives show their limits.

FAQ - BORN2BOND™ RA-WL

1. What distinguishes the RA-WL from other conventional anaerobic adhesives?

The BORN2BOND™ RA-WL is formulated to function on oil-contaminated surfaces. Most anaerobic adhesives require perfectly degreased surfaces, here, that is not mandatory.

2. On what types of assemblies can it be used?

It covers two main applications: threadlocking (screws, bolts, nuts) and bearing retention on shafts or in bores. One single product for two common industrial maintenance uses.

3. Do parts need to be cleaned before application?

A light wipe is sufficient in most cases. The RA-WL tolerates residual oil films, which reduces preparation time on the line or in the workshop. However, avoid excess oil or thick grease.

4. What removal resistance does it offer?

The RA-WL is rated for medium strength. Removal remains possible with standard tools, ideal for assemblies that require regular maintenance without damaging the parts.

5. Is it compatible with all metals?

It adheres to ferrous and non-ferrous metals: steel, stainless steel, aluminum, cast iron. On passive metals like stainless steel or zinc, using an activator improves curing and final performance.

6. Why do we offer this product at Dagobert Industrie?

We stock the BORN2BOND™ range because it addresses real-world constraints. The RA-WL is particularly well-suited for industrial environments where systematic degreasing is not always possible.