Retarder may refer to: * ''Retarder'' (album), an album by The Unband *

Retarder (chemistry) A retarder is a chemical agent that slows down a chemical reaction. For example, retarders are used to slow the chemical reaction hardening of plastic materials such as wallboard, concrete, and adhesives. Sugar water acts as a retarder for the ...

, a chemical agent that slows down a chemical reaction *

Retarder (mechanical engineering) A retarder is a device used to augment or replace some of the functions of primary friction-based braking systems, usually on heavy vehicles. Retarders serve to slow vehicles, or maintain a steady speed while traveling down a hill, and help prev ...

, a device for slowing down large trucks, lorries, buses, coaches and other vehicles *

Retarder (railroad) In rail transport, a retarder is a device installed in a classification yard used to reduce the speed of freight cars as they are sorted into trains. Construction Each retarder consists of a series of stationary brakes surrounding a short secti ...

, a device to slow railroad freight cars as they are sorted into trains *

Acrylic retarder In painting, a retarder is a substance, usually a glycol and usually added to water, that is used to slow the drying time of acrylic paints, giving more time for blending or layering highlights. Use in fine art Retarders are used to counter the ...

, a chemical agent added to fine art acrylic paint to slow its short drying time * Dough retarder, a refrigerator used to slow down proofing of yeast when making dough *

Retardation plate A waveplate or retarder is an optical device that alters the polarization state of a light wave travelling through it. Two common types of waveplates are the ''half-wave plate'', which shifts the polarization direction of linearly polarized light ...

, an optical device that alters the polarization state of a light wave traveling through it * A component in

weapons A weapon, arm or armament is any implement or device that can be used to deter, threaten, inflict physical damage, harm, or kill. Weapons are used to increase the efficacy and efficiency of activities such as hunting, crime, law enforcement, s ...

that slow down their

rate of fire Rate of fire is the frequency at which a specific weapon can fire or launch its projectiles. This can be influenced by several factors, including operator training level, mechanical limitations, ammunition availability, and weapon condition. In m ...

See also