What is cyanoacrylate glue?

Cyanoacrylate is the generic name for substances such as methyl-2-cyanoacrylate, commonly referred to as super glue. In addition, there are medical cyanoacrylate glues based on 2-octyl cyanoacrylate.

Industrial Cyanoacrylate Glue

Cyanoacrylate adhesives are sometimes known as "instant adhesives" and are used in industrial bonding adhesives. Super glues are based on cyanoacrylates. The acronym "CA" is quite commonly used for industrial grades of cyanoacrylate adhesives.

Cyanoacrylate Glue Properties

In its liquid form, it consists of monomers of cyanoacrylate molecules, (C5H5NO2) an acrylic resin which rapidly polymerisess in the presence of water, forming long, strong chains, joining the bonded surfaces together. During setting, cyanoacrylate adhesives exude concentrated acetic acid.

Because the presence of moisture causes the cyanoacrylate glue to set up, exposure to moisture in the air can cause a tube or bottle of cyanoacrylate glue to become unusable over time. To prevent an opened container of cyanoacrylate glue from setting before use, it must be stored in an airtight jar or bottle, with a package of silica gel. Another important trait is that cyanoacrylate adhesives set up fast, often in less than a minute.

A normal cyanoacrylate bond reaches full strength in two hours, and is waterproof. There are also cyanoacrylate accelerants that can force a set-up as fast as two or three seconds, at some loss of strength.

Acetone, which is found in nail polish remover, is a commonly available solvent capable of softening cured cyanoacrylate glues. Cold temperatures cause a cyanoacrylate adhesive to become brittle. Cyanoacrylate adhesives bond can be weakened, allowing disassembly, by placing a cyanoacrylate glued object in a household freezer for several hours.

Uses - Cyanoacrylate Glues

Cyanoacrylate glue is a tenacious adhesive, particularly when used to bond non-porous materials or those that contain minute traces of water. As such a cyanoacrylate glue is very good at bonding body tissue. While this effect can be a nuisance (or even dangerous) for everyday use, it has been exploited for the benefit of suture-less surgery using cyanoacrylate adhesives.

Cyanoacrylate Glue History

Cyanoacrylates were discovered during World War II, when searching for a way to make synthetic gun-sights (a substitute for spider silk). Cyanoacrylates did not solve this problem, since cyanoacrylates stuck to the apparatus used to handle them. Later, cyanoacrylates were developed into a more useful form by the Eastman Kodak company in 1958. The term cyanoacrylates is used to refer to a range of cyanoacrylate adhesives based on similar chemistry.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do All Cyanoacrylates have to be brittle?

• No, there are a group of Cyanoacrylates that are called  “toughened” This group is usually black and is rubber toughened. The rubber gives it some flexibility. This product is designed for applications that are in an environment that might have vibration or shock.

Can Cyanoacrylate come in colors.

• Yes,  Cyanoacrylate commonly comes in Black and usually in toughened, this would be an industrial application. For the consumer industry, practically in the Finger Nail Industry, there are dyes that are compatible with the cyanoacrylates. Vivid Reds and Pinks are most common.

What's the difference between a MSDS and aTDS?

• The Material Safety Data Sheet  is required by the Federal Government in the manufacture of Chemical Materials.  The MSDS is a health hazard preventive on the product. It will give you the make up of the material contents as well as precautions. In addition to Flammability, Toxicity, and MSDS will give you disposure requirements.

• A Technical Data Sheet will give you the  parameters of the product including  Physical Properties  In the case of Cyanoacrylate it will give you have, viscosity, cure speed, Dielectric Strength,  Temperature Resistance.

If I get some Super Glue on my Fingers, how can I get it off?

• There are several  Cyanoacrylate removers on the market. The most commonly used is Acetone. Acetone is available in finger nail polish remover. The easiest method is plenty of Soap and Hot Water. If it gets in your eye flush with plenty of water and call a Physician.

 

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Cyanoacrylate Glue - Additional Information

Please take the time to review our website to learn about cyanoacrylates and our cyanoacrylate products.

If you have any questions about our cyanoacrylate products, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you on the phone (800) 964-6660 or email us at info@palmlabsadhesives.com.

Cyanoacrylate Glue Products