Cyanoacrylate glue, more commonly known as instant glue, owes its nickname to its unrivalled setting time. It’s a fast-curing, transparent glue that dries in less than a minute! However, this adhesive is much more than just a super glue. The family of cyanoacrylate adhesives includes high-adhesion, single-component adhesives for industrial, domestic and even medical applications.
There are four main categories of cyanoacrylate adhesives. The first is based on methyl and the second on ethyl. The first formulations of this industrial glue date back to the 1940s, during the Second World War. Since then, the adhesive has been widely used in the construction industry, as it resists high pressure well. Butyl- and octyl-based cyanoacrylate adhesives are used for medical procedures.
The field of application for this family of adhesives is vast, and cyanoacrylate glue is an excellent choice for projects where you need to achieve a fast bond, since instant glue generally takes between 3 and 30 seconds to dry. The reaction takes place when the adhesive comes into contact with residual moisture naturally present in the air or on the surface of the components. As a result, it polymerizes instantly in a humid environment.
The main advantage of cyanoacrylate glue is that it sets quickly and dries almost instantly. But here again, in areas where a longer setting time is needed to make adjustments to bond positioning, there are formulations that can increase setting time by 90 seconds.
Cyanoacrylate glues are very powerful adhesives. You can bond almost any type of material except glass with this adhesive. The best way to use this reactive glue is to apply a small amount to the surface you want to glue, then hold it in place for several seconds until the glue has set.
The adhesive power of these adhesives is also characterized by their resistance to extreme temperatures. In fact, cyanoacrylate adhesives can withstand temperature variations from -50°C to +80°C, which at the same time attests to their resistance to mechanical stress.
Bear in mind, however, that this type of glue works best on hard, rigid surfaces such as metal or plastic (but not rubber).
Now you know that instant glue is not only fast-drying, it’s also widely used for its high strength.
Would you like to find out more about our professional adhesives? See our A’Lineo catalog.
