Everyone knows them and uses them –whether it's at work or at home. Cyanacrylates, commonly known as fast setting adhesives, instant glue, super glue or contact adhesives. But what kind of miracle product is it really, that bonds many different items with one another? And what do you have to keep in mind when using these adhesives?
Cyanacrylates
Cyanoacrylates are solvent-free, onecomponent, cold hardening adhesives, which have a fast chemical reaction on the parts you want to glue together when damp and which cure under pressure.
They show high levels of adhesive strength and therefore stick extremely well, even on very smooth surfaces.
They bond almost all materials to and among each other within a few seconds, such as metal, plastics, glass, ceramics, wood, leather, natural and synthetic rubber.
This particularly versatile usability gives these adhesives a broad range of applications in almost all areas of industry and trade, but also in the household and in hobby-craft.
How to handle cyanacrylates
Modern instant glues can only exploit their full potential when important conditions for successful adhesion are taken into consideration. In order to ensure the most durable bond, the correct preparation and handling of the adhesives are of particular importance.
Pre-treatment of the surface
The correct pre-treatment of the surfaces you want to bond is crucial for successful application and durable bonding and should therefore always be an important step in the work process.
Surfaces must be clean, dry and free of grease. Many types of surface contamination such as oil, grease, dust and dirt can be removed with detergents such as special surface cleaners. The following applies: the cleaner the surface, the better the results you are aiming for.
Mechanical pre-treatment of the surfaces, such as roughening the surfaces, can also significantly improve adhesion, namely the bonding of adhesive layers to the surface of the component.
Processing
The adhesive is applied onto only one of the surfaces to be bonded. The adhesive layer should have a thickness between min. 0.05 mm and max. 0.2 mm (depending on the type), otherwise complete curing cannot be guaranteed. For bonding large surfaces, the adhesive should be applied drop by drop to avoid inner tensions.
Cyanoacrylate adhesives are very economical. One drop is sufficient to cover approx. three to five square centimetres of bonded surface. The parts to be joined should be bonded in an atmosphere of 40 to 80% relative humidity. In conditions of below 40%, the cure will be considerably slowed or even inhibited. With a relative air humidity of more than 80%, shockcuring
can occur.
Storage
Fast setting adhesives have a shelf life of at least nine months if stored at room temperature (+18°C to +25°C) and in a dry place which is as dark as possible. If stored at +5°C, the shelf life can be extended to twelve months.
Health and safety
When working with cyanoacrylates, the physical, safety-related, toxicological and ecological data and regulations of the EU safety data sheets must be observed. These data sheets may also be obtained from the download section on our website.
Cyanoacrylate Adhesives are to a large extent physiologically harmless. Because of their inherent odour it is advisable, however, to ensure sufficient ventilation. Vapours coming from the adhesives may cause irritation of mucous membranes and eyes.
It is also particularly important to observe that cyanoacrylate adhesives react immediately when in contact with water. High levels of air humidity would be sufficient for a reaction. Skin and eyelids can glue together very quickly
because of the high moisture levels of skin.
As first aid for skin adhesions, it is recommended to rinse the affected area gently with warm water for a few minutes. A physician must be consulted immediately when eyelids get stuck together, as adhesives can cause serious injury when coming into direct contact with the eyes. Contact with eyes must therefore be avoided by all means.
It is recommended to wear gloves and safety glasses when working with cyanoacrylates to avoid direct contact with the adhesives.
