An overview of cyanoacrylate adhesives

by Pooja Late so cut

Cyanoacrylate industrial adhesives provide an instant cure that speeds your productivity. It is rigid and less resistant to moisture. Cyanoacrylate adhesives have a very low resistance to chemical action with water and physical actions like sunlight which is suitable for the joints that are exposed to the weather. Cyanoacrylate adhesives or cyanoacrylate glue is a single component liquid that has excellent shear strength and fast cure.

How does cyanoacrylate adhesive work?

Unlike other traditional adhesives are water-based whereas cyanoacrylate adhesive is composed of an acrylic resin. The main ingredient present in cyanoacrylate adhesive is cyanoacrylate which is an acrylic monomer. It transforms into a plastic state after curing. Cyanoacrylate adhesive can only bond to the places where there is moisture. It should be placed on a dry surface and it will not stick to the wet surface to form a bond.

When any amount of moisture is present, the molecules present in the cyanoacrylate adhesive will react with the moisture to form chains between two surfaces. This type of reaction generates heat instantly and it differs from traditional adhesive bonding.

Curing process

Curing is a very important process for all adhesive types and it should be considered when choosing the right kind of adhesive for certain applications. The curing process is defined as a process where a chemical reaction takes place to form tougher linkages in any chemical substance. For some substances, this process will occur at specific humidity levels.

For adhesives, curing can be facilitated by UV light, moisture, and heat. Curing for cyanoacrylate adhesives is also extremely rigid and it is also known as super adhesive or crazy adhesive.

Properties of cyanoacrylate adhesives

Mechanical properties

Resistance to normal stress.
Maximum elongation.
They are resistant adhesives and fragile.

Chemical properties

It has low-temperature resistance and it does not expose to temperature conditions above 80 degrees Celsius.
Low resistance to humidity and moisture.
Low resistance to ultraviolet light.
Exhibits high adhesive power adhesion in a wide range of substrates and plastics.
Adhesives are very liquid and very low viscosity.
They have a highly pungent odor.

Considerations of cyanoacrylate adhesives

Due to anionic polymerization cyanoacrylate occurs in the curing process and it also reacts in base areas. Cyanoacrylate in acid solutions has no effect thereby causing the adhesives to remain in the liquid state without reaction. The maximum thickness can be used and this type of adhesive is greatly diminished its resistance mechanism and it is an easily breakable material.

Cyanoacrylate adhesives are mainly recommended for joints for filling the gap between any two surfaces.

Common uses

3D printing

3D print methods produce 3D printed components that remain fragile and powdery until they are coated. To improve their strength and appearance they are dipped into a solution of cyanoacrylate adhesive.

Coral

It is used to bond coral into fish tanks all the time. Cyanoacrylate adhesives cure with moisture but the cured adhesive is not resistant to water.

Bottom line

Cyanoacrylates adhesives are normally used where there are fast setting times and minimal environmental stress is required. It is sold by many adhesive companies. Because of their short curing time and high adhesion, it is also used in medical applications.