[TowerTalk] Loose rotor bolts

[Bill Coleman]

On Oct 29, 2007, at 1:37 PM, Bill Turner wrote:

> When I worked in the avionics business, I read a report by Loctite
> which explained why lockwashers alone are not enough in high force
> environments. In a nutshell, when pressure is applied horizontally to
> a bolt, and periodically reversed, there is a leverage effect which
> will actually unscrew the bolt after a period of time, if the
> horizontal pressure is great enough. Their answer (of course) was to
> use a thread locking material such as Loctite.

For the record, though, the use of Loctite to secure a fastener is not  
considered sufficient for aviation use. There are only three approved  
methods:

1) Castellated nuts and cotter pins
2) Nyloc nuts
3) Drilled bolts and safety wire.



Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901