An anaerobic sealer is a type of adhesive substance specifically designed to prevent bolts, screws, and threaded fasteners from loosening or backing out due to vibration or other mechanical stresses. Unlike traditional adhesives, anaerobic sealers require the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions) to cure and achieve their sealing and locking properties.
Key Features and Functionality:
- Sealing and Locking: Anaerobic sealers serve a dual purpose of sealing threaded connections against leaks and preventing fasteners from loosening over time.
- Activation: These sealers remain liquid in the presence of oxygen but cure (harden) in the absence of oxygen when confined between two close-fitting metal surfaces.
- Applications: Commonly used in automotive, aerospace, machinery, and construction industries where secure and vibration-resistant fastening is crucial.
- Loctite® Brand: Loctite® is a well-known manufacturer of anaerobic sealers, offering a range of products tailored for different applications, including threadlockers, thread sealants, retaining compounds, and gasket sealants.
Benefits:
- Vibration Resistance: Provides a secure and reliable bond that withstands vibrations and shock loads, maintaining the integrity of fastened assemblies.
- Corrosion Prevention: Acts as a barrier against moisture and corrosion, extending the lifespan of fasteners and components.
- Removability: While providing strong locking, many anaerobic sealers allow for disassembly using standard tools when necessary, unlike permanent adhesives.
Usage:
- Threaded Fasteners: Applied to bolts, nuts, screws, and studs to prevent loosening in critical applications where reliability and safety are paramount.
- Pipe and Fitting Sealing: Used in plumbing and pipefitting applications to seal threaded connections and prevent leaks.
Example:
In automotive maintenance, anaerobic sealers are commonly used during assembly of engines and transmission systems to secure critical fasteners and prevent them from loosening due to engine vibrations and thermal cycling.
Anaerobic sealers are essential products in industries where reliable fastening and sealing of threaded connections are required. They provide a cost-effective solution for preventing loosening, leakage, and corrosion, contributing to the durability and safety of mechanical assemblies and systems. The Loctite® brand is particularly renowned for its extensive range of anaerobic sealers tailored to various industrial and automotive applications.
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