Some working environments in construction are hot, causing moisture that can rapidly cure adhesives, while others are cold, which tends to slow cure. Anaerobics are truly extraordinary because they work in the absence of air and in spaces where other adhesives cannot. Anaerobic simply means “without air” and contains a single component called a “monomer”, which is a molecule that can be bonded to identical molecules to form a “polymer”. Different applications can change the formulations slightly, but keeping the chemistry the same prevents corrosion, contaminants, leakage, and loosening nuts and bolts over time.

Anaerobic adhesives are single component adhesives designed to cure in the absence of air and in the presence of metal ions. These adhesives stay liquid until they are isolated from oxygen and in the presence of ions such as iron or steel. Anaerobic adhesives make excellent threadlockers, as the adhesive seeps down in between the threads of the bolt or screw and escapes the oxygen in the air, then reacts with the metal screw and begins to cure. Continue reading →