LOCTITE SI 596(tube)

LOCTITE SI 596 RED, also known as LOCTITE Superflex Red RTV Silicone or LOCTITE 596, is a one-component, room-temperature-vulcanizing (RTV) silicone sealant engineered specifically for high-temperature gasketing and flange sealing applications up to 315°C. This red acetoxy silicone forms a flexible, formed-in-place gasket that outperforms traditional cut gaskets in sealing irregular surfaces and absorbing thermal expansion stress.

Key Features

LOCTITE SI 596 RED is thixotropic, meaning it resists slumping or migration after application, allowing precise bead placement even on vertical or overhead surfaces. Formulated to meet the automotive industry's low silicone volatiles requirements for 315°C flange sealants, it's purpose-built for engine and powertrain gasketing where heat resistance is critical. As a one-component product requiring no mixing, it simplifies application compared to two-part systems, curing through ambient moisture exposure rather than a chemical activator.

Performance Data

LOCTITE SI 596 RED dries tack-free within 1 hour and fully cures in 24 hours at standard conditions, with cure time varying by humidity, temperature, and joint depth. After 7 days of cure, it achieves Shore A hardness of ≥18, elongation of ≥300%, and tensile strength of ≥1.5 N/mm². Peel strength on both aluminum and steel exceeds 1.73 N/mm after 14 days. Extensive heat-aging data shows performance through 8 weeks at 204°C, 7 weeks at 260°C, and 3 weeks at 316°C — with expected softening at 260°C (a normal, beneficial reversion effect for flange sealing) and hardening at 315°C+ due to oxidative thermal rearrangement.

Applications

This RTV silicone gasket maker is widely used in automotive gasketing for valve covers, rocker covers, oil pans, water pumps, end seals, intake manifolds, and rear axle housings. Beyond automotive use, LOCTITE SI 596 RED serves as a sealant and adhesive for industrial furnace, oven, boiler, exhaust stack, high-temperature ducting, and electrical heating element repair and assembly — anywhere a flexible, heat-resistant seal is required. Note: it should not be used for gasketing carburetors or fuel control devices in constant contact with hydrocarbon fuels, as it will swell and lose mechanical properties.

Directions for Use

Ensure bond surfaces are clean and free from grease before application. Because moisture curing begins immediately on exposure to air, mate parts within a few minutes of dispensing the sealant. Press or firmly clamp parts together — do not slide them, which can disrupt the seal. Full performance properties develop over 24 hours. Excess uncured material wipes away with non-polar solvents, while cured excess can be trimmed with a knife or razor blade.

Why Buy From Tapemart

Tapemart is your authorized source for genuine LOCTITE SI 596 RED high-temperature RTV silicone gasket maker, alongside our complete range of LOCTITE sealants and gasketing products. Whether you're servicing engines, industrial furnaces, or high-heat ducting, Tapemart provides authentic, traceable LOCTITE silicone sealants with the technical backing to match the right product to your temperature and chemical exposure requirements. Order LOCTITE SI 596 RED from Tapemart for dependable high-temperature flange sealing.