The results of investigations into the cure of model anaerobic adhesives by measurements of the real and imaginary parts of the complex permittivity as a function of the cure time are reported. These adhesives are designed to exhibit heterogeneous cure which is initiated by the surfaces of two substrates on either side of a bondline. This situation is referred to as low cure through volume (CTV) or heterogeneous cure. Three stages in the cure process are identified and discussed. A physical model based on the Maxwell-Wagner interfacial polarization effect is given which satisfactorily explains the changes in the complex permittivity which occur due to the surface initiated redox cure of an anaerobic adhesive. The physical model is modified to explain the cure of another model anaerobic adhesive which is deliberately tailored to exhibit a much more homogeneous cure or high CTV. The model is found to fit the experimental data on the complex permittivity for frequencies up to 10 kHz.