Loctite® 480 Cyanoacrylate Adhesive

Loctite 480 cyanoacrylate adhesive: flexible and impact-resistant instant adhesive

Are you looking for an instant adhesive that really holds on rubber, elastomers, and vibrating parts? The Loctite 480 is made for that.

It is a toughened cyanoacrylate: it polymerizes in seconds and remains flexible after curing, where a conventional glue would crack under impact.

Its high viscosity, black color, and vibration resistance make it a solid choice for demanding industrial applications.

At Dagobert Industrie, you can find the Loctite 480 in stock, along with complementary Henkel products (primers, activators) for reliable assemblies from the very first use.

What is Loctite 480 cyanoacrylate adhesive?

Loctite 480 is an instant adhesive based on cyanoacrylate, developed by Henkel. It stands out from conventional cyanoacrylates through the addition of an elastomer agent in its formulation.

Result: a bonded joint that remains flexible after polymerization, instead of becoming rigid and brittle. This makes it suitable for assemblies subject to vibrations, shocks, or deformation.

Composition and chemical nature: a toughened cyanoacrylate

The chemical base remains ethyl cyanoacrylate, as in most Super Glues. The difference comes from the rubber reinforcement integrated into the formula.

This reinforcement directly modifies the mechanical properties of the joint:

• Impact resistance significantly higher than a standard cyanoacrylate
• Improved elongation at break
• Better hold on flexible materials (rubber, elastomers, leather)
• Characteristic black color, useful for visible joints on dark parts

Polymerization remains instant at room temperature, triggered by surface moisture. No mixing, no preparation time required.

Product	Manufacturer	Type	Flexibility	Color	Typical use
Loctite 480	Henkel	Toughened cyanoacrylate	High	Black	Rubber, elastomers, vibrating parts
Loctite 406	Henkel	Standard cyanoacrylate	Low	Transparent	Plastics, rubber (with primer)
Loctite 401	Henkel	Universal cyanoacrylate	Low	Transparent	Common multi-material assemblies
Cyberbond CB 2035	Cyberbond	Flexible cyanoacrylate	Medium to high	Transparent	Flexible materials, flexible joints

Technical characteristics and properties of Loctite 480

Loctite 480 is a rubber-based cyanoacrylate adhesive. This formulation gives it superior flexibility compared to conventional cyanoacrylates.

It polymerizes on contact with ambient moisture, without the need for heat or UV light. Curing is fast: a few seconds to a few minutes depending on the substrates.

Its viscosity is high (approximately 3,000 to 6,000 mPa·s). It does not drip, making it suitable for vertical surfaces and assemblies with slight gaps.

It resists shocks and vibrations where a rigid cyanoacrylate glue would crack. This is its main advantage over products like Loctite 401 or Loctite 406.

Product	Type	Viscosity	Flexibility	Typical use
Loctite 480	Toughened cyanoacrylate	High (~4,000 mPa·s)	Very good	Flexible assemblies, anti-shock
Loctite 401	Standard cyanoacrylate	Low (~100 mPa·s)	Low	General bonding, smooth surfaces
Loctite 406	Low viscosity cyanoacrylate	Very low (~20 mPa·s)	Low	Plastics, elastomers
Loctite 4205	Flexible cyanoacrylate	Medium (~1,000 mPa·s)	Good	Rubber, flexible joints

Loctite 480 effectively bonds metal, rubber, leather, and most plastics. It is less suitable for very porous or oily surfaces.

It withstands temperatures from -55 °C to +80 °C in continuous operation. A decent resistance for the majority of common industrial applications.

Applications and materials compatible with Loctite 480

Loctite 480 is a rubber-based cyanoacrylate adhesive designed to bond flexible, porous, or difficult-to-assemble materials. It excels where standard cyanoacrylates fail.

Its elastomer-filled formulation provides shock and vibration resistance superior to standard instant adhesives. Ideal for assemblies subjected to repeated mechanical stresses.

Here are the materials compatible with Loctite 480:

• Natural and synthetic rubber (EPDM, neoprene, difficult silicone)
• Leather and flexible materials
• Foams and porous materials
• Metals, steel, aluminum
• Rigid plastics (ABS, polycarbonate, PVC)
• Wood and composite materials

Difficult surfaces and low surface energy substrates

Some plastics like polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) remain very difficult to bond, even for Loctite 480. An adhesion primer (Loctite 770 type) is recommended in this case.

Loctite 480 is particularly suitable for substrates with irregular or slightly oily surfaces. Its high viscosity (~1500 mPa·s) fills micro-gaps and holds the adhesive film in place before polymerization.

Product	Type	Viscosity	Flexibility	Main use
Loctite 480	Rubber-toughened cyanoacrylate	~1500 mPa·s	High	Rubber, leather, flexible materials
Loctite 401	Universal cyanoacrylate	~100 mPa·s	Low	Smooth surfaces, rigid plastics
Loctite 406	Plastics cyanoacrylate	~20 mPa·s	Low	Difficult plastics and elastomers
Loctite 454	Gel cyanoacrylate	Gel	Medium	Vertical surfaces, spot assemblies

Loctite 480 vs other cyanoacrylate adhesives: comparative table

Comparison with Loctite 401, 406, and 495

All these adhesives are Loctite cyanoacrylates, but they do not meet the same needs. Here are the key differences.

Product	Viscosity	Flexibility	Impact resistance	Target materials	Typical usage
Loctite 480	High (black gel)	Very high	Excellent	Rubber, elastomers, flexible plastics	Assemblies subject to vibrations and bending
Loctite 401	Low (liquid)	Low	Medium	Metals, rigid plastics, ceramics	Universal fast bonding on rigid surfaces
Loctite 406	Low (liquid)	Low	Medium	Rubber, EPDM, treated silicone	Bonding of elastomer joints and parts
Loctite 495	Medium	Low	Low to medium	Metals, plastics, wood	Fast repairs on rigid materials

Loctite 480 stands out due to its black gel formulation and its resistance to shocks and vibrations. It is the only one in this list designed for materials that move.

Loctite 401 remains the universal choice for rigid and smooth surfaces. It is more fluid, thus better adapted for precise assemblies with small gaps.

Loctite 406 specifically targets rubber and difficult-to-bond elastomers, but without the shock resistance of the 480.

If your application involves dynamic stresses, vibrations, repeated bending, mechanical shocks, Loctite 480 is the logical choice. At Dagobert Industrie, we recommend it particularly for the automotive, electronics, and manufacturing sectors.

Usage tips and complementary Loctite products

Loctite 480 is used in a very thin layer. One drop is enough to cover several square centimeters, no need to use too much; it slows down the curing.

Apply the glue to only one surface, then assemble immediately. Hold the part in position for 30 to 60 seconds for a solid initial bond.

The surface must be clean, dry, and degreased. For plastic materials or inert surfaces (PTFE, polyethylene), use a Loctite 770 primer to activate adhesion.

On porous assemblies or large gaps, combine Loctite 480 with a Loctite 7452 activator: it accelerates polymerization and compensates for gaps.

For cleaning excess before polymerization, Loctite 7063 is the reference degreaser in the range.

Product	Viscosity	Impact resistance	Typical usage
Loctite 480	High (thixotropic)	Very high	Rubber, elastomers, flexible assemblies
Loctite 401	Low	Moderate	General usage, rigid materials
Loctite 406	Low	Moderate	Difficult plastics and rubbers
Loctite 4205 (Henkel)	Medium	High	Semi-flexible assemblies, vibration resistance

Loctite 480 stands out due to its flexibility after polymerization: unlike 401, it absorbs shocks and deformations without cracking.

FAQ - Loctite 480

1. What is the difference between Loctite 480 and a classic cyanoacrylate adhesive?

Loctite 480 is a so-called "flexible" cyanoacrylate adhesive. Unlike standard cyanoacrylates (such as Loctite 401 or 406), it resists shocks and vibrations without cracking.

This is what sets it apart for assemblies subject to repeated mechanical stresses.

2. On what materials can Loctite 480 be used?

It effectively bonds elastomers, rubbers, flexible plastics, and metals. It is particularly suitable for substrates that are difficult to bond with a rigid cyano.

It is suitable both for metal/rubber bonding and for mixed assemblies in industrial production.

3. Does Loctite 480 hold on oily or dusty surfaces?

No. Like any cyanoacrylate adhesive, it requires clean, dry, and degreased surfaces for optimal adhesion.

Prior cleaning with a suitable solvent (acetone, isopropanol) is recommended before application.

4. What is the cure time of Loctite 480?

The surface cure time is generally 10 to 60 seconds depending on the substrate and ambient humidity. Maximum strength is reached after 24 hours.

On elastomers and rubbers, the cure can be slightly faster due to the slight natural basicity of these materials.

5. Can Loctite 480 be used outdoors?

Yes. It offers good temperature resistance (from -55 °C to +80 °C) and resists ambient humidity.

However, it is not designed for prolonged immersion in water. For very aggressive environments, a two-component epoxy adhesive will be more suitable.

6. How to prevent the bottle from clogging between uses?

Carefully wipe the nozzle after each use and close the bottle immediately. Store it away from heat and humidity, ideally in the refrigerator (between 2 °C and 8 °C).

At Dagobert Industrie, we recommend not storing small sizes for more than 12 months after opening to ensure the product's performance.