Putties

Industrial Putty Selection — Quick Reference

Industrial putties = MOULDABLE REPAIR COMPOUNDS fixing what other materials can't — building up worn castings + repairing cracked machinery + filling gaps + structural repair. Devcon + Loctite + Epirez range.

Critical: Surface prep mandatory — degrease + abrasive blast + activator. Cure FULLY before service load. Match putty CHEMISTRY to environment + temperature. Brands: Devcon, Loctite, Epirez. Companion: epoxy ceramic repairs, epoxy structural, adhesives + sealants.

Industrial Putties

Industrial putties are the mouldable repair compounds that fix what other materials can't — building up worn castings, repairing cracked machinery, filling gaps and pinholes that need to be permanent. They come as two-part epoxies that mix and harden, single-part putties that cure with air or moisture, and metal-loaded compounds that machine like steel after curing. AIMS Industrial stocks putties for industrial repair, fabrication, and maintenance applications.

The putty categories we stock

• Epoxy repair putties — two-part epoxy putties for general repair, gap-filling, and structural work
• Metal-loaded putties (plastic steel) — epoxy putties with steel powder fill, machine and drill after curing like soft steel
• Aluminium-loaded putties — for aluminium repair and component build-up
• Wood putties (industrial grade) — for filling defects in timber components and joinery
• Glazing putties — for glass setting and weatherproofing applications
• Heat-resistant putties — for exhaust, flue, and high-temperature applications
• Underwater-cure putties — for repairs that must be made in wet conditions

Where epoxy putties earn their place

• Cracked castings — repairing pump bodies, gearbox housings, and other cast components without removing them from service
• Worn or damaged shafts — building up shaft surfaces that have been worn beyond bearing tolerance
• Pinhole leaks — sealing small leaks in pipes, tanks, and pressure vessels (within their pressure rating)
• Stripped threads — building up and re-tapping threaded holes that have lost their threads
• General fabrication — filling gaps and surface defects before painting

Brands stocked at AIMS

Devcon is the long-established US brand for industrial epoxy putties — Plastic Steel, Plastic Aluminium, and similar metal-loaded putties are widely specified. Loctite covers the epoxy putty range alongside their broader adhesive range. Permatex stocks complementary repair compounds and putties for automotive and general workshop use.

Mixing and application

Two-part putties have specified mix ratios (often by weight or volume) and working times (the time available to mix, place, and shape before the putty starts to cure). Read the data sheet — incorrect mixing produces putty that doesn't cure properly or has reduced final strength. Surface preparation matters: clean (degrease and remove rust), abrade (provide a key for adhesion), and apply within the working life. A perfect putty applied over poor preparation fails quickly.

Cure times — plan around them

Epoxy putty cure times vary widely by product and temperature. Initial set (firm to touch) is typically 1-4 hours; full cure (final mechanical properties) typically takes 16-24 hours, longer at lower temperatures. Don't load the repair until full cure; partial-cure repairs fail under stress. For time-critical repairs, fast-cure putties exist but generally have lower final strength than slower-cure equivalents.

Machining cured putty

Metal-loaded putties (Devcon Plastic Steel and similar) machine, drill, and tap like soft steel once cured. Use sharp HSS tools, moderate cutting speeds, and don't generate excessive heat (which can soften the resin matrix). Final surface finish can be very good — these putties are used for restoring bearing surfaces and machining new faces on damaged components.

Need help selecting a putty for a specific repair? contact our team — we'll match the right product to the substrate, environment, and load.