Curing

The chemical reaction of the dispensing material is called cross-linking, hardening or curing. Polymers crosslink due to their inherent properties or by means of an added agent (hardener). The cross-linking process changes the consistence of the material.




Curing is involved in all applications of the metering and dispensing technology. The most common curing methods use heat, ultra-violet light, moisture, oxygen (aerobic hardening) or simply the chemical reaction catalysed by an additive (hardener).




The goal, on the one hand, is to establish the ideal curing stage where all required properties are obtained (e.g. protection, adhesion, etc.). On the other hand, the aim is to optimise production cycles and cycle times.