hardener
Makes things rigid
A hardener is a substance added to another material to make it hard or harder.
Epoxy resins require a hardener to cure.
Nail hardeners strengthen brittle fingernails.
In photography, a hardener toughens the gelatin in film emulsion.
The term also applies to anyone or anything that hardens: Prison was a hardener of men.
Catalyst-cured bonding compound
- resinViscous plant secretion
- catalystAgent enabling change
- adhesiveMaterial that bonds objects
- sealantGap-blocking substance
varnish · primer · urethane · silicone · acrylic · latex · alkyd · binder
Monomers bonding into chains
- crosslinkingChemical bonds between polymers
- thermosettingHardens permanently when heated
- vulcanizationChemically strengthening raw rubber
- setArrange in position
solidify · exothermic · drying · setting · bonding · adhesion · cohesion · catalysis
Substance mixed in
- stabilizerThing ensuring steadiness
- fortifierSomething that strengthens
- strengtheningIncreasing power or solidity
- stiffenerAgent adding rigidity
filler · aggregate · fiber · silica · alumina · modifier · extender · thickener
State of mind
- indurateTo harden physically
- cureTreatment that heals
- annealHeat-treat to strengthen
- quenchSatisfy or extinguish
nitriding · carburizing · metallurgical · steel · alloy · kiln · forge
Able to withstand friction
- scratch-resistantImpervious to abrasion
- abrasion-resistantUnharmed by rubbing
- corrosion-resistantWithstands oxidation and decay
- weatherproofResistant to outdoor elements
UV-resistant · chemical-resistant · gloss · matte · topcoat · sealer · protective · durable
epoxy
Catalyst-cured bonding compound
sealant · varnish · primer · urethane · silicone · acrylic · latex · alkyd · binder · solvent
polymerization
Monomers bonding into chains
- crosslinkingChemical bonds between polymers
- thermosettingHardens permanently when heated
- vulcanizationChemically strengthening raw rubber
set · solidify · exothermic · drying · setting · bonding · adhesion · cohesion · catalysis · reaction
additive
Substance mixed in
- stabilizerThing ensuring steadiness
- fortifierSomething that strengthens
- strengtheningIncreasing power or solidity
stiffener · filler · aggregate · fiber · silica · alumina · modifier · extender · thickener · viscosity
temper
State of mind
quench · nitriding · carburizing · metallurgical · steel · alloy · kiln · forge
wear-resistant
Able to withstand friction
- scratch-resistantImpervious to abrasion
- abrasion-resistantUnharmed by rubbing
- corrosion-resistantWithstands oxidation and decay
weatherproof · UV-resistant · chemical-resistant · gloss · matte · topcoat · sealer · protective · durable · industrial
- candlemakingcandle wax, beeswax, soy wax, paraffin wax, wick
- metalworkersblacksmith, blacksmiths, silversmith, silversmiths, goldsmith
- resin craftsresin casting, epoxy resin, UV resin, silicone molds, resin jewelry
- boatbuildinghull, keel, stern, bow, planking
- curing agentscatalyst, activator, accelerator, curing salt, initiator
- Darkroom Chemicalsdeveloper, fixer, hypo, toner, sensitizer
hardenersoftener
Agent that reduces hardness
plasticizer · emollient · lubricant · moisturizer · solvent
- hardened steelHeat-treated ferrous alloy
- hardened heartEmotional numbness by choice
- hardened arteriesStiffened, plaque-clogged blood vessels
- hardened someone's heartMade emotionally impervious
- hardens someone's heartCauses emotional numbness
- case hardenedSurface-treated for durability
harden, hardened, hardening, hardens, unhardened, hardeners, reharden, rehardened