INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE CUMENE HYDROPEROXIDE-BASED CURE CHEMISTRY OF ANAEROBIC ADHESIVES

Anaerobic adhesives polymerise rapidly, by a flee radical mechanism, w hen confined between two closely fitting metal surfaces to form tough solvent and heat resistant material. Anaerobic adhesives are typically based on methacrylate monomers and are predominantly used for the sea ling and retaining of metallic objects. Transition metal ions on the s ubstrate surface play a key role in the cure chemistry, catalytically decomposing hydroperoxides, such as cumene hydroperoxide, present in t he adhesive to generate free radicals capable of initiating polymerisa tion. This study investigates the ability of lower and higher oxidatio n states of copper and iron to decompose cumene hydroperoxide, and als o investigates the influence of saccharin, maleic acid and adhesive ac celerators on this process. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.