Combining an anaerobic and mechanical adhesives is a common practice that can lead to unfortunate results. An example of this is a pre-formed gasket, such as a cork, rubber, or paper gasket, combined with an anaerobic adhesive to make a seal that is strong.
This is how it works: “ah-ha! I will ensure that this gearbox doesn’t leak by using both the adhesive and a gasket. That’ll make sure it’s leak-proof for certain.”
It is more likely that the adhesive will leak because it must contact a metal surface in order to cure. Surfaces such as paper, cork, or rubber can prevent the adhesive’s curing. The adhesive that has not been cured will remain liquid and may cause damage or blockages to non-metal components.
An anaerobic liquid gasket adhesive can be used in place of a pre-formed conventional gasket. One bottle of adhesive will make any size or shape gasket, and you don’t need to keep the pre-formed (often fragile) gasket in stock.
Anaerobic adhesives can be used to replace traditional gaskets. They offer better stress distribution, stock control, and less need for re-tightening. An anaerobic adhesive should not be used in areas where the gap is greater than 0.5mm.
An anaerobic sealant can be combined with PTFE tape to prevent a similar accident at threaded pipe joints. The tape will protect the sealant from coming in contact with the metal required to cure the adhesive. The adhesive replaces the tape by a simple application that lubricates and seals the threaded connection. It is important to read the instructions before using adhesives for the first time.
