Cyanoacrylate monomers polymerize as soon as they meet the weak bases and adsorbed water present on almost every surface, giving handling strength in seconds. They work best on tight-fitting parts with bondlines under about 0.1 mm, and they bond rubber and many plastics well. Standard grades are brittle, weak in peel and limited to about 80 to 100 C, so rubber-toughened and higher-temperature grades exist for tougher jobs.
Cyanoacrylate on the O-ring splice, hold it ten seconds and it's done.
Cyanoacrylate fumes leave a white frost on parts nearby, so low-bloom grades or good airflow matter on cosmetic work. Thin bondlines cure fast; a heavy drop can sit liquid for minutes.
Also heard as
- CA
- instant adhesive
- cyano
Related terms
Super glue
Everyday name for cyanoacrylate instant adhesive, used on the floor for any CA grade.
Kick
To gel or cure suddenly, as in a resin kicking in the cup or a CA kicking with accelerator.
Activator
A liquid applied to one surface to speed or start the cure of an adhesive placed on the other.
Wicking
Describing very thin adhesives that run into already assembled joints by capillary action.
Gap filling
The ability of an adhesive to bond parts with a loose or uneven fit and still cure fully across the gap.