Accelerator

An accelerator is a special substance that is added in small quantities to a material or mixture to speed up the cross-linking reaction. This cross-linking reaction is a crucial step in the curing or stabilization of chemical compounds such as coatings, adhesives or resins. The accelerator acts as a catalyst by accelerating the chemical reactions that lead to curing.

By adding an accelerator, the time required for the material to fully cure and reach its final strength can be significantly reduced. This is particularly important in industrial processes where fast processing and efficient production are crucial. The accelerator changes the reaction kinetics so that the bonds within the material are formed faster and the curing process is quicker.

The selection of a suitable accelerator depends on the specific type of material and the requirements of the application. However, too strong or incorrect accelerators can cause undesirable side effects, such as uneven curing or impairment of the material properties. Therefore, precise dosing and targeted application is required to achieve the desired results without compromising the quality of the end product. Overall, the use of accelerators enables optimized processing and shortens production times, which both saves costs and increases efficiency in various industrial applications.

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This definition is taken from the surface technology encyclopedia from Surface Technology Online. You can find many more technical terms from the surface technology industry in our lexicon overview.

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