How to Use Cyanoacrylate Adhesive – A Craft Guide

Cyanoacrylate adhesives are a type of glue that is very strong and that sets very quickly. One of the first cyanoacrylate adhesive suppliers was Kodak Laboratories, who developed it during the Second World War. It was hoped that it could be used to fix military gun sights. However, they quickly discovered that this wasn’t possible at all. But Kodak did notice that it was incredibly adhesive, and developments almost immediately started to turn it into a glue.

Types of Cyanoacrylate Adhesive

There are many types of these glues available. However, the majority of cyanoacrylate adhesive suppliers will stock at least Super Glue and Krazy Glue. What these products have in common is that the glue polymerises as soon as it gets into contact with moisture found in the air, even if there are only trace amounts. This means that any two surfaces that are in contact through the cyanoacrylate adhesive form an instant, near unbreakable bond. This also demonstrates why it is so important to know what you are doing when you use it, whether as a hobby or in work, as it is all too easy to stick things together that shouldn’t be. We probably all know the stories of people who super glued their fingers together, for instance.

How to Use Cyanoacrylate Adhesive

1. Thoroughly clean any surface that is supposed to be bonded. There should be no grease or oil left on the surfaces. If you want to bond metal or wood, you need to use sandpaper to remove any existing finishes or paint from the material.

2. If you are using ceramics, make sure that one side is lightly dampened in order for the bond to set.

3. For every square inch of material, you should use a single drop of cyanoacrylate glue. Additionally, you should only place the glue on one of the two items that will be stuck together. If you have had to dampen one of the objects, you should place the glue on the other object, on the dry side.

4. Press the surfaces of the two items together, never exceeding moderate pressure. It should take just 30 seconds for the chemical bonds to have formed, after which you can let go.

5. Leave the now glued objects alone for two minutes. After this, you can start to apply stress and find that it is totally stuck together. Full strength of cyanoacrylate adhesive is achieved after 12 hours of curing, so do be careful not to place too much stress on the item before that time is up.

A Few Tips and Warnings

If you do spill any glue, it can be cleaned up with acetone, such as the one found in nail varnish.

Always read the instructions before you use it. One thing to pay particular attention to is what to do if your skin comes into contact with the glue. An important thing to always remember is that you shouldn’t touch anything with that part of your skin until you have resolved the issue, as you will bond to any object and it can be incredibly difficult and painful to have it removed.

I love learning about new products for crafting, and sharing it with you all. “Get Your Craft On!”

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