Anaerobic adhesives and sealants cure in the absence of air or oxygen.  They are designed for fastening and sealing applications in which a tight seal must be formed without light, heat or oxygen. Substrate or material compatibility is an important factor to consider when selecting anaerobic adhesives. Some products adhere to ceramics or glass, concrete or masonry, metal, paper, plastic, rubber or porous surfaces. Others are compatible with substrates or materials made from composites, textiles, fabrics, wood, rubber, or elastomers. Products that can bond dissimilar substrates such as metal to rubber are also available. 

Anaerobic adhesives and sealants use many different chemical and polymer systems. Some systems contain acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), acetal materials, acrylic polymers, bituminous substances, butyl, cellulose, ceramics, cyanoacrylates, or epoxy resins. Other chemical and polymer systems include ethylene copolymers, fluropolymers, ionomer polymers, isoprene or polyisoprene, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), ketones, phenolic and formaldehyde resins, polyamides, and polyamide-imides. Chemical and polymer systems for anaerobic adhesives also include polybutadiene, polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terphthalate (PET), polyester, polyether block amide (PEBA), polyetherimide, polyolefin, polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polypropylene (PP), polysulphide, and polysuphone. Silicone, styrene, vinyl, and wax-based systems are also available.

Anaerobic adhesives and sealants cure in the absence of air or oxygen.  They are designed for fastening and sealing applications in which a tight seal must be formed without light, heat or oxygen. Substrate or material compatibility is an important factor to consider when selecting anaerobic adhesives. Some products adhere to ceramics or glass, concrete or masonry, metal, paper, plastic, rubber or porous surfaces. Others are compatible with substrates or materials made from composites, textiles, fabrics, wood, rubber, or elastomers. Products that can bond dissimilar substrates such as metal to rubber are also available. 

Anaerobic adhesives and sealants use many different chemical and polymer systems. Some systems contain acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), acetal materials, acrylic polymers, bituminous substances, butyl, cellulose, ceramics, cyanoacrylates, or epoxy resins. Other chemical and polymer systems include ethylene copolymers, fluropolymers, ionomer polymers, isoprene or polyisoprene, liquid crystal polymer (LCP), ketones, phenolic and formaldehyde resins, polyamides, and polyamide-imides. Chemical and polymer systems for anaerobic adhesives also include polybutadiene, polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terphthalate (PET), polyester, polyether block amide (PEBA), polyetherimide, polyolefin, polyphenylene oxide (PPO), polypropylene (PP), polysulphide, and polysuphone. Silicone, styrene, vinyl, and wax-based systems are also available.

Selecting anaerobic adhesives or sealants requires an analysis of mechanical, thermal, electrical and optical properties. Mechanical properties include tensile strength (break), tensile modulus, and elongation. Thermal properties include use temperature, thermal conductivity, and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). Thermal conductivity is the linear heat transfer per unit area for a specific temperature. CTE is the amount of linear expansion or shrinkage that occurs in a material with a change in temperature. Resistivity, dielectric strength, and dielectric constant are important electrical properties for hot melt adhesives. Optical properties include index of refraction, a measure of the speed of light in a material.  

Anaerobic adhesives and sealants differ in terms of features. Flame retardant products are designed to reduce the spread of flame or resist ignition when exposed to high temperatures. Flexible or dampening products are designed to reduce sound, shock, or vibration. Solvent-based anaerobic adhesives use a volatile organic compound (VOC) to thin or alter viscosity. Water-based or water borne adhesive resins do not. In terms of shape or form, anaerobic adhesives can be cast, extruded, or molded. Thermal interface materials use a phase change to enhance thermal characteristics or heat absorption from electronic devices or electrical components.

Anaerobic adhesives and sealants are used in many industries and applications. For example, some products are used in aerospace, automotive, marine, military, photonics, optical, or tooling applications. Others are designed for use with electronic devices, electrical power products, high voltage applications, semiconductors, or integrated circuit (IC) packaging. Materials that are suitable for medical, pharmaceutical and food processing applications meet requirements established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).