General Questions

Two conditions must be met for an anaerobic material to cure. 1) Absence of air. 2) Contact with metal ions. Loose fitting parts along with non-reactive metals like stainless steel can reduce a products’ effectiveness. In some cases primers can be used to counteract these negative effects. Once applied to a metal part and installed, the material begins to harden due to an absence of air. Over time the anaerobic liquid cures to a tough 100% solid thermo-set plastic, locking and or sealing the part in place.
Threadlockers are materials which are applied to threaded fasteners to prevent them from loosening.  There are many different types, but typically they fall into three categories; anaerobic locking, vibration dampening, or prevailing torque generating. Anaerobics are applied to fasteners, then installed into a mating part (typically metal) which causes it to cure and lock in place. Vibration dampening compounds are applied to the fastener then dried. Once installed, they act like a shock absorber, isolating the fastener movement from the assembly and preventing it from losing clampload. The final type is prevailing torque, and is typically though pre-applied displacement materials such as nylon which are adhered to fasteners at a processing facility. They create a wedge force on one side of the fastener, increasing metal to metal contact 180deg opposite, which increases friction and greatly reduces the movement of the fastener.