Adhesive curing is a process in which bonding strength and other properties are obtained and improved through chemical reactions including polymerization and cross-linking. Curing is a critical process to achieve desirable bonding performance, and maximum strength can only be achieved upon full completion of curing. Curing is categorized into initial cure, basic cure and post-cure.
Initial Cure: Under a specified temperature, the adhesive attains a certain level of strength after a set period, with a hardened, non-tacky surface, yet the curing process remains incomplete.
Basic Cure: Following an additional duration, most of the reactive groups participate in the reaction, and a specified degree of cross-linking is achieved.
Post-cure: A treatment applied to adhesively bonded parts that have undergone basic cure, intended to enhance bonding performance or meet technological requirements. It is generally conducted by maintaining the bonded parts at a defined temperature for a period, which enables supplementary curing, further elevates the curing degree, effectively relieves internal stress, and boosts bonding strength.