[chenewb]

Do I understand correctly that the "hardener" added to acrylic is essentially an oxidizer? In an uncivilized/post apocalyptic environment what are the easiest to create hardeners? Would acid distilled from fermented fruit juice work? assuming you could get sulphur would sulphuric acid work? Anything else?

[mjc123]

In this uncivilised post-apocalyptic world, where would you get the acrylic monomers?

[pgk]

In polymer technology, a hardener means a cross linker or a cross linking promoter. Mineral or organic peroxides that are strong oxidants, promote the self-cross linking of polyacrylate polymer chains via a radical mechanism. However, peroxy hardeners are mainly aimed to industrial and professional applications (e.g. car and machinery paints). Nothing more and nothing less!

[chenewb]

mjc, if you provide an answer to my question I'll try to answer yours.

[Intanjir]

Probably much the same way you would go about making NaOH in a post-apocalyptic world, or pre-apocalyptic for that matter.
Electrolyze NaCl in a manner to optimize production of NaClO.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_hypochlorite

Given that we apparently remembered about acrylic in this particular apocalypse I think then we probably also would remember the Chloralkali process.

[chenewb]

Thanks,

In response to mjc, I was only using acrylic as an example. As I understand it most herdeners will work on a variety of polymers or protiens in general which can be obtained from a number of plant and animal sources without much todo.

[pgk]

Hardeners are not oxidizers, only. Various chemical compounds can be used as polymer hardeners. The type of hardener depends on the chemical structure, as well as the desired mechanical properties of the specific polymer.

[DrCMS]

As I understand it most herdeners will work on a variety of polymers or protiens in general which can be obtained from a number of plant and animal sources without much todo.

No that is too much of a simplification.

[Arkcon]

As I understand it most herdeners will work on a variety of polymers or protiens in general

This is likewise quite a jump in the discussion.  You've oversimplified the nature of the vast variety of additives to synthetic organic polymers greatly.  Now you just casually throw in proteins.  What hardener is used on what protein to achieve a hard polymer material or finish?