Low Strength Threadlocker — Technical Description
The TORNILOCK® T-22 is a low strength threadlocker — a fast-curing anaerobic adhesive formulated for thread locking and sealing. As a dedicated small bolt threadlocker, it secures fasteners up to 1/4″ (M6) and also retains cylindrical parts. The purple threadlocker color identifies the low-strength grade, ideal for periodic maintenance and frequent adjustments. As a threadlocker 1/4 inch grade, it resists heat, vibration, water, gases, oils, hydrocarbons, and various chemicals.
Easy disassembly with hand tools
The TORNILOCK® T-22 is a low strength threadlocker, a fully removable threadlocker with 100% hand removal. It allows you to remove small fasteners up to 1/4″ with standard hand tools — no heat or additional effort required. Ideal for frequent adjustments and periodic maintenance.
Designed for small bolt threadlocker applications
A threadlocker 1/4 inch grade formulated for fasteners up to 1/4″ diameter, with 1,000 cps viscosity for precise dispensing without product waste. Specifically suited for set screws, measuring and instrumentation equipment, and calibrated adjustments
Seals against moisture and corrosion
The T-22 fills the gap between threads, sealing out moisture, oils, gases, and hydrocarbons. The purple threadlocker color provides visual identification of the low strength grade. Operating range from −55°C to +150°C. Meets MIL-S-46163 Type II Grade M military specification.
Benefits of the Low Strength Threadlocker T-22
Key technical benefits of T-22 in production and maintenance.
Dedicated small bolt threadlocker for vibration-prone assemblies.
Optimized for bolts and screws up to 1/4″ diameter.
A truly removable threadlocker — disassembly with hand tools.
Low strength allows frequent adjustments without damaging threads.
Meets military specification:
- MIL-S-46163 Type II Grade M
Small Bolt Threadlocker — Compatibility & Substrates
Diameter
Suitable for bolt and screw diameters of 1/4″ or smaller.
Materials
Cures on metal surfaces including carbon steel, zinc-plated, and stainless steel. Works as a small bolt threadlocker in instrumentation and calibration applications.
Temperature
Service temperature range: −67 °F to +302 °F.
Applications
› Small bolts and screws — small bolt threadlocker for 1/4 inch (M6) and smaller fasteners. Use this purple threadlocker 1/4 inch and below for set screws and instrumentation hardware where a low-strength, removable threadlocker is required.
› Assemblies requiring easy disassembly: set screws, frequent adjustments, equipment calibration.
› Retention of cylindrical parts and thread sealing where light locking with controlled torque is required.
› Application Method
Surfaces must be dry, clean, and free of contamination. Apply the purple threadlocker directly to the bolt in sufficient quantity to fill the threads. TORNILOCK® T-22 is a removable threadlocker designed for tight-fitting assemblies, formulated to deliver controlled friction and breakaway torque during assembly.
Industries
Designed for small fasteners in environments requiring light locking with easy disassembly.
Electronics and Instrumentation
Set screws in control panels, measuring instruments, and calibration equipment.
MRO / Maintenance
Frequent adjustments, field repair, fasteners requiring periodic disassembly.
Automotive
Adjustment screws, bearing caps, small components subject to vibration.
Manufacturing
Cylindrical parts, thread sealing in assemblies requiring frequent maintenance.
Cure Performance
Cure speed varies by temperature and substrate. Break strength on 3/8 in. fasteners — carbon steel, oil-contaminated steel, and zinc-plated steel.
Cure Performance
Cure speed varies by temperature and substrate. Break strength on 3/8 in. fasteners — carbon steel, oil-contaminated steel, and zinc-plated steel.
Torque Values (ISO 10964)
Break Torque
44 lb-in
3/8 in. bolt, carbon steel
Prevail Torque
35 lb-in
3/8 in. bolt, carbon steel
Pre-torque Break
80-186 lb-in
At 44 in·lb, ISO 10964
Max. Pre-torque Prevail
80-186 lb-in
At 44 in·lb, ISO 10964
Technical Data
Property | Value |
Handling time | 15-30 minutes |
Working time | 1 – 3 hours |
Full cure time | 24 hours |
Break torque, ISO 10964 (M10 bolt, carbon steel) | 53 lbf/in |
Prevail torque, ISO 10964 (M10 bolt, carbon steel) | 30 lbf/in |
Pre-torque break at 5 N·m, ISO 10964 | 80 to 190 lbf/in |
Max. pre-torque prevail at 5 N·m, ISO 10964 | 80 to 190 lbf/in |
Compressive strength | Steel pins and collars >3 to 10 N/mm² |
Temperature range | −67°F to +302°F |
Description | Specification |
Composition | Methacrylate ester |
Color | Purple |
Viscosity | 1,000 cps at 77°F — Brookfield RVT, spindle 3 at 20 rpm |
Specific gravity | 1.05 |
Maximum thread size | 1/4″ |
Gap fill | 0.24 in |
Flash point | >212°F |
Solvent content | None |
Shelf life (unopened) | 2 years |
Thermal expansion coeff. | 80×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ (ASTM D 696) |
Thermal conductivity coeff. | 0.10 W/(m·K) (ASTM C 177) |
Specific heat | 0.30 kJ/(kg·K) |
Chemical | Temperature | 500 hours | 1000 hours |
Acetone | 72°F | 95% | 95% |
Ethanol | 72°F | 95% | 95% |
Motor oil | 257°F | 85% | 50% |
Gasoline | 72°F | 90% | 90% |
Brake fluid | 72°F | 90% | 85% |
Water / Glycol | 189°F | 90% | 90% |
Compliance with Military Specifications
- MIL-S-46163 Type II Grade M — military specification for low strength threadlocker compounds (removable, controlled torque).
Available Sizes
Standard TORNILOCK® T-22 sizes from field MRO to industrial production scale.
0.34 fl oz
Field repair, light MRO, prototyping, and application testing.
1.7 fl oz
Workshops, scheduled maintenance, low-to-medium volume production.
8.5 fl oz
Assembly lines, serial production, continuous high volume.
1 lb
Production plants, automated dispensers, high industrial consumption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common technical questions about TORNILOCK® T-22.
Per the TDS, handling time is 15 to 30 minutes, working time is 1 to 3 hours, and full cure takes 24 hours at 72°F on a 3/8 in. carbon steel bolt. On passive substrates such as zinc-plated steel, cure is significantly slower — use an activator to accelerate.
Yes. The T-22 is low strength, allowing disassembly with standard hand tools without heat. Break torque: 44 in·lb on a 3/8 in. carbon steel bolt. This makes it ideal for frequent adjustments and periodic maintenance.
The T-22 is designed for bolts and screws up to 1/4″ diameter. For larger diameters, consider TORNILOCK® T-43 (up to 3/4″) or T-63 (up to M24/1″).
The gap fill is 0.24 in, significantly larger than other threadlockers in the TORNILOCK line. This allows sealing and locking threads with wide clearances, ideal for retaining cylindrical parts.
The T-22 retains 85% of its strength at 500 hours in motor oil at 257°F, dropping to 50% at 1,000 hours. For applications with prolonged motor oil exposure, consider TORNILOCK® T-63, which maintains 95% retention at 1,000 hours.
An anaerobic threadlocker is a liquid compound that, when cured between metal threads in the absence of oxygen, forms a solid bond preventing loosening from vibration. TORNILOCK® T-22 is the low strength anaerobic threadlocker option: it prevents loosening without making disassembly difficult with standard hand tools. It is the technical alternative to lock washers and lock nuts on fasteners up to 1/4″.
In the threadlocker industry, purple is the standard color code for low-strength anaerobic threadlockers. The T-22 follows this convention so technicians can identify the strength grade at a glance: purple = low strength / removable, blue = medium strength (T-43), red = high strength / permanent (T-63), green = wicking grade (T-90). The purple dye does not affect performance — it is a visual marker only.
The T-22 is a fully removable threadlocker. It is engineered for assemblies that require periodic disassembly — instrumentation set screws, calibration adjustments, MRO field repairs. With a break torque of just 5 N·m (53 lbf/in) on an M10 carbon steel bolt, the fastener can be released using hand tools alone, with no heat, no solvents, and no risk of thread damage. For permanent fastening, see the high-strength TORNILOCK® T-63.