Gasketing applications, anaerobic adhesives

In the Automotive industry there is a trend towards complete automation of production lines. In the application of adhesives/sealants for gasketing, the principles of dispensing have normally been to use a pressure-time system, or alternatively a cartridge system with a robotic head. However, a faster system is to screen print an anaerobic on to the surface of a component. 

There are altogether at least thirteen different ways in which anaerobic adhesives, sealants and gasketing compounds may be used. The more important applications are discussed below. 

Joint sealing and retention of co-axial components - often both in the same application - are prime examples. Components can be threaded (screws or pipes), or splined or smooth (eg bearings). Special versions of these adhesives (often not truly anaerobic - in that primers may have to be used) give much higher levels of effective adhesion than the normal materials and so may be used in lap joints. Other versions are formulated as gasketting media. 

Other important applications for anaerobics include the sealing of threaded pipe joints, gasketing, structural adhesives and the bonding of slip fitted cylindrical parts (often called retaining compounds). 

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