Product details
| Grade | Loctite EA 3478 |
| Strength | High strength, erosion resistant |
| Colour | Grey, brushable |
| Family | Metal repair epoxies & putties |
| Brand | Loctite (Henkel) |
| Stock | Held in Dubai — buy one or bulk |
Pack sizes
Prices on request. Tell us the quantity you need.
Check stockWhat Loctite EA 3478 is for
The heavy-duty rebuild compound, and by some distance the strongest epoxy in this family: 134 N/mm² compressive strength against 61.7 for EA 3471. It is a ferro-silicon filled, 100% solid system for restoring tolerances on worn shafts, repairing keyways and housings, filling pitted surfaces, and bringing bearing housings back to fit. Highly wear resistant, and it machines cleanly.
Key features
- 134 N/mm² compressive strength — the strongest here
- Ferro-silicon filled; cures to a metal-like finish
- Excellent machinability, 86 Shore D
- Resists corrosion, abrasion and chemicals
- 19.5 N/mm² lap shear on grit-blasted mild steel
- Glass transition 67°C; thermal conductivity 0.52 W/(m·K)
- 20 minute working life
- Restores tolerances without welding or hot work
Typical applications
- Pump casings
- Erosion protection
Technical data
Uncured material
| Also known as | LOCTITE Fixmaster Superior Metal |
| Description on pack | Corrosion resistant, high strength epoxy |
| Henkel part number | 97473 |
| Pack | 1 lb kit (453.6 g), resin and hardener |
| Technology | Epoxy — ferro-silicon filled, 100% solids |
| Appearance (resin) | Metallic grey |
| Appearance (hardener) | White |
| Appearance (mixed) | Grey |
| Mix ratio by weight | 7.25 : 1 resin to hardener |
| Mix ratio by volume | 4 : 1 resin to hardener |
| Cure | Room temperature after mixing |
| Application temperature | 15°C to 30°C |
| Resin specific gravity at 25°C | 2.5–2.71 |
| Hardener specific gravity at 25°C | 1.42–1.48 |
| Mixed specific gravity at 25°C | 2.13 |
| Working life | 20 minutes |
Cured mechanical properties
| Compressive strength at 65°C (ISO 604) | 134 N/mm² (19,490 psi) |
| Compressive modulus at 65°C (ISO 604) | 7,530 N/mm² |
| Tensile strength (ISO 527-2) | 27 N/mm² (3,900 psi) |
| Tensile modulus (ISO 527-2) | 8,770 N/mm² |
| Lap shear on grit-blasted mild steel (ISO 4587) | 19.5 N/mm² (2,820 psi) |
| Shore hardness (ISO 868, Durometer D) | 86 |
| Elongation (ASTM D638) | 0.35% |
| Volume shrinkage (ISO 1675) | 5% |
| Abrasion resistance (ASTM D4060, CS-10, 1 kg) | 127 mg lost |
Thermal and electrical
| Glass transition temperature (ISO 11359-2) | 67°C |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion, below Tg | 47 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion, above Tg | 161 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ |
| Thermal conductivity (ISO 8302) | 0.52 W/(m·K) |
| Surface resistivity (IEC 60093) | 470 × 10¹² Ω |
Coverage
| At 6 mm thickness | 0.245 m² per 3 kg |
| Excludes over-thickness and repairs |
How to use it
- Remove dirt, oil and grease with a suitable cleaner — Henkel names Loctite SF 7840.
- Grit blast all surfaces to a profile depth of 75–100 microns and a cleanliness of Near White Metal (SIS SA 2½ / SSPC-SP 10).
- After blasting, clean with a waterless cleaner and coat before any oxidation occurs.
- Metal that has been in seawater should be grit blasted, high-pressure water blasted, then left 24 hours for salts to sweat to the surface. Test for chloride and repeat until below 40 ppm.
- Mix 4 parts resin to 1 part hardener by volume until the colour is consistent.
- Machine the worn area down 3 mm to produce a square shoulder — the material is stronger against a square edge than a feathered one.
- Machine a spiral cut in the bottom of the repair area to key the material mechanically.
- Apply excess product so the 5% shrinkage during cure does not leave a depression.
- Machine back to original dimensions before full cure — once fully hard it is very wear resistant and much harder to cut.
- Inspect for pinholes and voids after application and again once cured; a holiday detector confirms coating continuity.
Handling and storage
- Relative humidity below 85%; ambient temperature above 15°C and rising.
- Substrate temperature must be at least 3°C above the dew point, or moisture condenses on the part.
- Working time and cure depend on temperature and mass — the larger the mixed quantity, the faster it goes off.
- To speed cure in the cold: store the epoxy at room temperature and pre-heat the repair surface until warm to the touch.
- To slow cure in the heat: mix in small masses and cool the components first.
- Store unopened and dry, ideally 8°C to 21°C; outside 8–28°C the properties can be affected.
EA 3478 against the rest
EA 3478 is the one for a serious rebuild — 134 N/mm² compressive, high abrasion resistance, and designed to be machined back to tolerance. It demands the most: grit blasting, a 3 mm square shoulder, a keyed surface, and machining before full cure. EA 3471 at 61.7 N/mm² is the general-purpose steel putty. EA 3475 is non-rusting with a 1 mm gap. EA 3463 is the ten-minute emergency stick. Also compare Devcon Titanium Putty at 105 N/mm², which we stock alongside.
Always read the current technical and safety data before use —
ask us and we'll send it with your quotation.
