Post by MultiFast Is MultiFun on Mar 14, 2004 15:49:03 GMT -5
Super Glue (Cyanoacrylate )
How To Use Cyanoacrylates:[/b]
Heat and moisture will decrease the shelf life of CAs. Unopened bottles can be stored in a freezer or refrigerator, but allow them to reach room temperature before using. Keep your bottles in a cool place that won’t be exposed to direct sunlight and store away from bottles of accelerators. Depending on the freshness of some CAs, their shelf life can be up to 12 months. Check for "Use By" dates often included by manufacturers! When paying per ounce for CA glue, it is nice to know it will remain fresh for a period of time while working on your project.
With all CAs, the closer the parts fit together, the stronger the bond
For the initial opening of the top, loosen and retighten the entire top first to relieve internal pressure, then hold the bottle against a near vertical surface and cut off the top 1/32" with a knife or razor blade without squeezing the bottle. To prevent clogging, do not let the tip of the nozzle touch a surface that has been sprayed with a fast accelerator, used to reduce drying times. Before replacing the colored cap, set the bottle down hard to knock the remaining CA back into the bottle before squeezing it in an upright position to blow air through the nozzle, then wipe the tip clean. By squeezing the bottle in a vertical (up) position, you are removing any excess air inside the bottle and extending shelf life of the glue.
With all CAs, the closer the parts fit together, the stronger they bond. Always hold the bonding surfaces together as tightly as possible. Any rough spots on the mating surfaces should be smoothed out. Although CAs will hold objects together with considerable strength within seconds, the full strength of the bond is not reached for several hours. Allow for this before subjecting parts to maximum stress. Also, CAs are generally a little less brittle and have higher strength when they are allowed to cure on their own.
Super glues come in a variety of kinds and from many manufacturers. Generally, they are pretty expensive and come in small amounts per botle or tube. They can be very thin to allow them to run between joints of close fitting parts, or they can be a gel that will span small gaps. Give consideration to purchasing the smaller tubes of Super Glue (under various names) from home centers. Often you can find a two tube pack for about $1.00 (U.S.) which makes it less costly if the tube dries or breaks. I would suggest having purchased (and on hand and available), a thinner to use should you get the CA on your fingers. Remember, some grades of this stuff are used in medical surgery to bond human skin! If you do get some on your fingers, keep the fingers from touching each other and let the CA dry. Warm water and a bit of scrubbing will generally remove the dried glue. Kind of like the old styrene plastic airplane cement.
Also, CA glue gives off a "smell" and can cause respiratory or eye irritation for some who may be sensitive to the glues.
Some have used CA glue to "coat" parts to waterproof, but discussion has indicated, exposure to water or moisture over time can cause the glued joint to fail. I am experimenting with using CA glue for attaching sail panels at their seams. Place wax paper under the seam to prevent the cloth from sticking to your workbench. I also use CA to "tack-bond" small parts in place so I can reinforce with fiberglass tapes or thickened epoxy because of the glue's fast dry/cure time (5 to 15 seconds on average).