Loctite® 401 Cyanoacrylate Adhesive

Loctite 401 cyanoacrylate adhesive: the gold standard for multipurpose instant bonding

Loctite 401 is the instant cyanoacrylate adhesive that has proven itself in workshops and on production lines all over the world. One drop, a few seconds of pressure: the assembly holds.

Manufactured by Henkel, it polymerizes upon contact with ambient humidity, without the need for heat or solvents. Its low viscosity allows it to spread thinly over a wide variety of substrates: metals, plastics, rubbers, wood, and ceramics.

It is the go-to multipurpose instant adhesive for industrial maintenance and workshops. At Dagobert Industrie, it is one of our most requested products, and for good reason.

What is Loctite 401 cyanoacrylate adhesive?

Loctite 401 is a general-purpose instant cyanoacrylate adhesive manufactured by Henkel. It bonds in seconds without heat, solvents, or clamping.

It is one of the most widely used standards in industry and workshops. It is suitable for a wide variety of materials and situations, making it an essential must-have for any toolbox.

Composition and polymerization mechanism

Loctite 401 is formulated based on ethyl cyanoacrylate. It is a liquid monomer that remains stable in the bottle but reacts instantly upon contact with moisture.

The mechanism is simple: humidity present on the surface of the parts (even a trace amount) triggers anionic chain polymerization. The liquid turns into a solid polymer in a matter of seconds.

Result: a rigid, transparent bond that is resistant to static loads. No need to mix two components, no preparation time.

Note: the reaction is sensitive to joint thickness. The thinner the glue film and the tighter the contact, the faster the polymerization and the higher the strength. An excess of glue slows down curing and weakens the joint.

Product	Manufacturer	Chemical Base	Viscosity	Primary Usage
Loctite 401	Henkel	Ethyl cyanoacrylate	Low (~100 mPa·s)	General use, smooth surfaces
Loctite 406	Henkel	Ethyl cyanoacrylate	Very low (~5 mPa·s)	Difficult plastics and elastomers
Loctite 480	Henkel	Rubber-toughened cyanoacrylate	Medium (~800 mPa·s)	Shock-resistant assemblies
Cyberbond 2035	Cyberbond	Ethyl cyanoacrylate	Low (~100 mPa·s)	General use, economic alternative

Technical specifications and performance of Loctite 401

Loctite 401 is a single-component, fast-curing cyanoacrylate adhesive. It polymerizes upon contact with surface humidity, without mixing or heating.

Its low viscosity (approx. 100 mPa·s) allows it to spread thinly and penetrate into micro-irregularities. Ideal for tight-fitting assemblies with small gaps.

The fixture time ranges from 10 to 90 seconds depending on the substrate and ambient humidity. Full strength is reached in 24 hours.

It adheres to a wide range of materials:

• Metals (steel, aluminum, brass)
• Plastics (ABS, PVC, polycarbonate)
• Rubber and elastomers
• Wood, ceramic, glass

Temperature resistance ranges from -55 °C to +80 °C continuous. Sufficient for the majority of common industrial applications.

Product	Viscosity	Fixture time	Key Strength
Loctite 401	~100 mPa·s	10-90 s	Multipurpose versatility
Loctite 406	~20 mPa·s	5-20 s	Difficult plastics and rubbers
Loctite 454	Gel (~900 mPa·s)	20-60 s	Vertical surfaces, wide gaps
Cyberbond CB 2010	~100 mPa·s	10-60 s	Versatile economic alternative

Loctite 401 remains the gold standard when looking for a compromise between curing speed, versatility, and ease of daily application.

Compatible materials and application areas

Loctite 401 effectively bonds a very wide range of materials. This is one of its major assets.

It is particularly well-suited for porous and hard-to-bond materials where many other cyanoacrylates struggle.

• Plastics: ABS, PVC, polycarbonate, acrylic, polyester
• Metals: steel, aluminum, brass, copper
• Rubber and elastomers: EPDM, neoprene, silicone (with primer)
• Porous materials: leather, wood, ceramic, fabric
• Glass and composite materials

In industry, it is used to assemble small parts, fix inserts, bond gaskets, or repair components during production. The setting time is very short: a few seconds are enough.

In workshops or maintenance, it provides a quick fix without special tooling. One drop, a few seconds of pressure, and it's bonded.

Product	Viscosity	Porous materials	Setting time	Typical usage
Loctite 401	Low	✓ Yes	Very fast (5-20 s)	General use, varied materials
Loctite 406	Low	✓ Yes (difficult plastics)	Very fast	Plastics and elastomers
Loctite 454	Gel	✓ Yes	Moderate (30-60 s)	Vertical surfaces, delicate assemblies
Loctite 480	Medium	✓ Yes (rubber++)	Fast	Rubber, shock resistance

At Dagobert Industrie, we recommend Loctite 401 as the versatile reference adhesive for industrial environments and maintenance workshops.

Loctite 401 vs. other cyanoacrylate glues: comparison table

Comparison with Loctite 402, 406, and similar market products

Loctite 401 is not the only cyanoacrylate in the Henkel range. Here is how it positions itself against its direct competitors.

Product	Viscosity	Target materials	Setting time	Key Strength
Loctite 401	Low (100 cP)	Multipurpose: plastics, rubbers, metals	10-30 s	General use, versatility/performance ratio
Loctite 402	Very low (3 cP)	Porous materials, wood, paper	5-15 s	Capillary penetration, ultra-fast set
Loctite 406	Low (20 cP)	Difficult plastics, EPDM rubbers	5-20 s	Special formula for elastomers and inert plastics
Cyberbond CB 2030	Medium (200 cP)	Metals, ceramic, glass	15-45 s	Increased thermal resistance
Permabond 105	Low (50 cP)	Metals, rigid plastics	10-30 s	Generalist economic alternative

Loctite 402 is more fluid: it is better suited for capillary assemblies or porous surfaces. 401, however, remains the versatile reference choice for the workshop.

Loctite 406 targets materials known to be difficult to bond: EPDM, silicone, polyethylene. If your substrate is an inert plastic, prefer it over 401.

Compared to alternatives from other manufacturers, Loctite 401 distinguishes itself by its proven reliability in industry and the depth of its technical documentation. A concrete advantage for methods departments and production lines.

Application method: how to use Loctite 401 correctly?

Loctite 401 is simple to use, but a few precautions make all the difference between a failed bond and a solid assembly.

Prepare the surfaces first. They must be clean, dry, and degreased. A cloth with acetone is sufficient in most cases.

Apply a minimal amount of glue: one to two drops for a surface of a few square centimeters. Too much product slows down the bonding and weakens the joint.

Assemble the parts immediately after application. The positioning time is very short, between 5 and 90 seconds depending on the materials.

Keep the parts in contact without forcing. Handling strength is reached in a few seconds to a few minutes. Full polymerization takes 24 hours.

• Metal surfaces: set in 10 to 30 seconds
• Rigid plastics: set in 5 to 20 seconds
• Rubber and elastomers: set in 20 to 90 seconds
• Porous materials (wood, ceramic): set time may exceed 60 seconds

On porous or difficult-to-bond materials, use Loctite 7452 activator as a supplement. It accelerates polymerization and improves adhesion on inert surfaces.

Close the bottle after each use. Loctite 401 polymerizes with humidity: a poorly closed cap will clog the nozzle in a few hours.

FAQ - Loctite 401

1. What is the difference between Loctite 401 and Loctite 406?

Loctite 401 is a universal cyanoacrylate adhesive, ideal for porous and semi-porous materials like wood, paper, or leather.

Loctite 406 is specifically formulated for difficult plastics and elastomers (PTFE, polyethylene, polypropylene). If you are bonding technical plastic, 406 will be more suitable.

2. How long does it take for Loctite 401 to set?

The handling time varies from 10 to 90 seconds depending on the substrate and ambient humidity.

Maximum strength is reached after 24 hours. Porous and slightly damp materials accelerate polymerization.

3. Does Loctite 401 bond to all materials?

It adheres to the vast majority of materials: metals, rubber, wood, ceramic, leather, paper.

However, it is less effective on some low-surface-energy plastics like polypropylene or polyethylene. In this case, use Loctite 406 or an activator primer like Loctite 770.

4. Can Loctite 401 be used for demanding industrial applications?

Yes. Loctite 401 is designed for intensive industrial use. It withstands temperatures up to +80 °C continuously and handles light vibrations.

For harsher environments (high temperatures, prolonged immersion), products like Loctite 480 (rubber-toughened) or Loctite 4861 (flexible, shock-resistant) will be better suited.

5. How do I store Loctite 401 after opening?

Carefully re-cap the bottle after each use and keep it away from humidity, between +2 °C and +8 °C in a refrigerator to maximize shelf life.

A poorly closed or room-temperature stored bottle will degrade quickly. Shelf life after opening is generally 4 to 8 weeks depending on storage conditions.

6. Should I apply the glue to both surfaces?

No. Loctite 401 should be applied to one surface only in a thin, uniform layer. An excess of glue slows down setting and weakens the joint.

The ideal amount: one drop is sufficient for approximately 6 to 7 cm². The less you use, the stronger and faster the bond.