Introduction to Cyanoacrylate Adhesives (Superglue)
Cyanoacrylate adhesives, commonly known as superglue, are fast-acting adhesives that bond almost instantly. They are single component adhesives that polymerize rapidly when pressed into a thin film between parts.
What are Cyanoacrylate Adhesives?
The main ingredient in cyanoacrylate adhesives is ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate monomer. When the monomer comes in contact with moisture on the surface of materials, it rapidly polymerizes into a strong plastic that forms bonds between tightly mating parts.
A Brief History of Superglue
- 1942 - Cyanoacrylate adhesives were first discovered by researchers at Eastman Kodak.
- 1951 - Harry Coover recognized the potential for cyanoacrylates to be used as adhesives.
- 1958 - Eastman 910 adhesive introduced as the first commercial cyanoacrylate adhesive.
- 1971 - Improved formulations introduced for consumer and industrial use.
- Today - Cyanoacrylate adhesives are widely available to consumers and used across many industries.
Common Uses of Cyanoacrylate Adhesives
Thanks to their fast cure time and ability to bond a wide variety of materials, cyanoacrylate adhesives are used in many applications:
| Industry | Applications |
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| Consumer/household |
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| Industrial assembly |
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| Medical |
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With their versatility and ease of use, cyanoacrylate adhesives continue to be an important adhesive technology with many diverse applications across consumer and industrial settings.
Benefits of Using Cyanoacrylate Adhesives
Cyanoacrylate adhesives, also known as superglue, offer several benefits that make them a versatile choice for many bonding applications.
Fast Bonding
One of the biggest advantages of cyanoacrylates is their ability to bond extremely quickly. The adhesive begins to cure and solidify within seconds after application. This rapid cure time allows for bonds to reach handling strength in under a minute. For example, a 0.01" cyanoacrylate adhesive bead reaches handling strength in approximately 5-15 seconds. This rapid cure allows manufacturers to speed up assembly line processes.
Versatility
Cyanoacrylates can bond a wide range of materials including plastics, rubber, metals, ceramics and more. Their versatility across substrates makes them useful for diverse applications from industrial assembly to household repairs.
For example, cyanoacrylates can be used to bond:
- Plastics like PVC, acrylic, polystyrene
- Rubbers and elastomers
- Metals including steel, aluminum, copper
- Ceramics like glass, porcelain, stone
Durability
When cured, cyanoacrylate adhesive joints are very durable with impressive resistance to impact, vibration, shock and thermal cycling. The strong plastic polymer bonds form tight, rigid connections between parts. For example, aluminum bonds with cyanoacrylate adhesives can withstand 2,500+ psi in shear strength.
Easy to Use
Compared to many other adhesive technologies, cyanoacrylates provide simplicity in use. As single component adhesives, there is no mixing required before application. They cure rapidly at room temperature without the need for heat or UV light. Parts only need to be pressed together for a few seconds to achieve strong bonds.
The easy, fast bonding of cyanoacrylates makes them ideal for use by consumers doing home repairs as well as manufacturers on production lines. Proper adhesive selection and application is still required to ensure optimum performance.
With quick bonding across many substrates, durable strength, and simple use, cyanoacrylate adhesives are a versatile choice for assembly, repair, and manufacturing in many markets.
Tips for Selecting the Right Cyanoacrylate Adhesive
With many options available, here are some key considerations when selecting a cyanoacrylate adhesive for your application:
Viscosity
Cyanoacrylate adhesives come in a range of viscosities from ultra-thin liquids to thick gels. Viscosity affects flowability, gap filling ability, and suitability for different substrates.
- Thin: Allows capillary flow into small gaps and fixturing of close-fitting parts. Good for smooth, clean surfaces.
- Medium: General purpose viscosity suitable for porous and slightly gapped parts.
- Thick/Gel: Used where adhesive flow needs to be controlled. Good for vertical surfaces, porous substrates, and filling larger gaps.
Set Time
Set time is the speed at which the adhesive cures. Set times range from 2-3 seconds for ultra-fast setting adhesives designed for production efficiencies to 10-30 seconds for slower setting ones allowing more repositioning time.
Bond Strength
Verify the adhesive can achieve the required strength for your components and materials being bonded. Cyanoacrylate adhesives are available with bond strengths from 2100 psi to over 4000 psi depending on the substrate.
Gap Filling Ability
Cyanoacrylates can bridge gaps between 0.002” to 0.010” depending on viscosity. For optimal bonds, mating surfaces should be mated flush with minor surface variances.
- Thin: 0.002” max gap
- Medium: 0.004” max gap
- Thick/Gel: Up to 0.010” gap
Cure Conditions
Cyanoacrylates require surface moisture on the substrates in order to cure. Basic cyanoacrylates cure at room temperature while specialty adhesives are available that cure more quickly with light or heat activation.
Considering the viscosity, cure speed, strength and gap fill abilities needed for your specific application will help you select the best cyanoacrylate adhesive for your bonding needs.
Proper Usage and Application Techniques for Cyanoacrylate Adhesives
To achieve effective, long-lasting bonds with cyanoacrylate adhesives, it's important to follow proper usage and application techniques.
Surface Preparation
Surfaces should be clean, dry and free of contaminants like grease, oil and dirt which can affect adhesion. Some plastics may require application of a primer.
Dispensing
Several dispensing options are available for controlling flow of cyanoacrylate adhesives:
- Bottles - Easy to use for small applications. Squeeze bottle gently to avoid excess flow.
- Brushes - Provide precise control of adhesive placement.
- Spray - Useful for larger surface areas. Maintain 6-8 inches between spray can and surface.
- Automated - For production assembly lines to control automated dispensing.
Bonding
- Apply a drop or thin film of adhesive to one surface.
- Mate parts together within a few seconds of adhesive application.
- Apply firm pressure between parts for 30-60 seconds to allow cure while maintaining alignment.
- Avoid moving parts until full bond strength is achieved in about 15-30 minutes.
Curing
Cyanoacrylates cure through contact with surface moisture on the substrates. Ideal conditions are 60-80°F and 40-60% relative humidity.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying excess adhesive can result in slow cure speed, blooming and fogging.
- Don't assemble parts with large gaps. Maintain minimal space between surfaces.
- Avoid getting adhesive on skin through proper gloves and handling.
- Do not assemble poorly mating parts or those under high stresses.
With proper surface prep, controlled dispensing, and correct bonding technique, cyanoacrylate adhesives perform effectively in many applications.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Cyanoacrylate Adhesives
Is Superglue Safe to Use?
Cyanoacrylate adhesives are considered relatively low in toxicity when used properly. Some safety precautions should be taken:
- Use in a well-ventilated area
- Avoid contact with skin through use of gloves
- Avoid exposure to eyes by wearing eye protection
- Use proper disposal methods and keep out of reach of children
When used correctly, cyanoacrylates emit low levels of vapor and are considered non-carcinogenic. They can irritate eyes and skin, so care should be taken to avoid exposure.
What is the Shelf Life of Superglue?
Unopened cyanoacrylate adhesives generally have a shelf life of 12-18 months when stored properly. After opening, the shelf life is reduced to 6 months.
To maximize shelf life, cyanoacrylate adhesives should be stored in a cool, dry location away from light at about 40-60°F. Refrigeration can help extend shelf life of opened bottles to 9-12 months.
Can Superglue Bonds Be Removed?
Cyanoacrylate bonds are designed to be permanent, but there are a few methods for removal if needed:
- Apply gentle heat – Temperatures above 150°F will weaken the bond over time.
- Use solvents - Acetone or nitromethane can dissolve bonds but may damage sensitive materials.
- Mechanical abrasion - Sanding, scraping, wire brushing or chiseling can progressively break the adhesive.
Take care when removing cured cyanoacrylate. Excessive heat can damage bonded parts and solvents can mar surfaces.
What Materials can Superglue Bond?
Cyanoacrylates bond a wide range of materials including:
- Plastics - PVC, Styrenics, Acrylics
- Rubbers and Elastomers
- Metals - Steel, Aluminum, Brass
- Wood
- Ceramics and Stone
For difficult-to-bond plastics like polyethylene, polypropylene, or Teflon®, using a primer can improve adhesion.
How Should Superglue be Stored?
For maximum shelf life, cyanoacrylate adhesives should be stored:
- In original container
- At 40-60°F temperature
- Away from light sources
- With bottle tightly sealed
- Away from extreme heat or cold
Refrigeration can help prolong shelf life of opened cyanoacrylate bottles up to one year when stored properly.
Benefits of Amazon Prime for Buying Cyanoacrylate Adhesives
Amazon Prime offers several benefits that can be very useful when purchasing cyanoacrylate adhesives, also known as superglue. Here are some of the top perks:
Free Two-Day Shipping
One of the main advantages of Amazon Prime is free two-day shipping on millions of eligible items. This means you can get your cyanoacrylate adhesive products delivered quickly without paying extra shipping fees.
Having superglue shipped quickly is useful when you need to urgently make repairs or have a project you want to work on right away. The faster shipping speeds available with Prime help make this possible.
Free One-Day and Same-Day Delivery
For those times when you need superglue even faster, Amazon Prime also provides free one-day and same-day delivery on qualifying orders over $35. This premium delivery speed is only available in certain areas for eligible items.
Getting superglue delivered the same day you order it can be a lifesaver for those critical household repairs or crafting emergencies when you need adhesive right away.
Access to Exclusive Deals
Amazon Prime members get access to special discounts and deals that are not available to non-Prime shoppers. These exclusive deals and savings events can help you save money on cyanoacrylate adhesive purchases.
Anything you can do to get quality superglue products for less is a great benefit when you use a lot of adhesive for projects and repairs.
Overall, the fast free shipping options, access to special deals, and other Prime benefits make it a great way to shop for cyanoacrylate adhesives conveniently and affordably.
Discover The Versatility Of Cyanoacrylate Adhesives For Your Next Project.
Cyanoacrylate adhesives are highly versatile and offer many benefits over an extensive range of assembly processes. One of the main benefits of using cyanoacrylate adhesives is their speed of bonding, as they can bond two surfaces together in just a few seconds. They are able to create a strong adhesive bond even between dissimilar or hard-to-bond materials, including ceramics, engineering plastics, metal, rubber and elastomers, and wood. Cyanoacrylates dry clear, creating a visually cleaner line that improves the appearance of assembled products. They are mainly used as adhesives and bond many substances, including human skin and tissues, natural fibers, cotton, wool, and leather. Cyanoacrylate glue is an extremely versatile adhesive which is also known as Super Glue, and they can be used to combine anything from metal to plastic. Dispensing solutions for cyanoacrylate adhesives are available, which can be highly effective at bonding many types of materials together in assembly processes.
What Are Some Common Applications Of Cyanoacrylate Adhesives?
Cyanoacrylate adhesives are highly versatile and offer many benefits over an extensive range of assembly processes. Some common applications of cyanoacrylate adhesives include:
Despite their many benefits, cyanoacrylate adhesives have some limitations, such as brittleness, which makes them less ideal for structural applications.
