Activators
An activator or initiator is a liquid that is applied to one surface of those to be glued and which is either completely decisive for curing the glue or is there to speed up or facilitate the curing. Mainly used with various acrylic-based adhesives. When gluing with anaerobic glues (locking liquids), the activator is used on inactive metal surfaces that contain a little copper, such as chrome, stainless steel and certain types of aluminum. For cyanoacrylate adhesives, a different type of activator is used on acidic surfaces or sometimes to speed up curing. For some light-curing glues, it is possible to use an activator that causes the glue to harden even on shaded areas where lighting cannot reach. Some methacrylate construction adhesives only cure with the help of an activator.