ASE Maintenance and Light Repair (MLR) Certification Practice Test

Curing that occurs in the absence of air is referred to as anaerobic curing. This process typically involves a chemical reaction that takes place without the presence of oxygen. Anaerobic curing is common in certain adhesives, sealants, and coatings that rely on the absence of air to initiate their hardening or setting process.

For example, many two-part adhesives curtail their curing and setting times when exposed to air, and anaerobic curing is essential for their proper function. In contrast, aerobic curing requires oxygen to facilitate the curing reaction, which makes it unsuitable for this scenario. Thermal curing involves the application of heat, while exothermic reactions release heat during a chemical process but do not necessarily relate to the absence or presence of air. Thus, the correct identification of anaerobic as the type of curing occurring without air aligns directly with these principles.