Cyanoacrylate adhesives (CAs) have been around since the 1950s, and from the 1970s they have become a common household product. Today, manufacturers are increasingly using CAs and rely on them to bond plastic, metal, ceramic, rubber, wood and other substrates in many types of assemblies.
They are unique in that they provide fast curing and high-strength bonding to various substrates without the need for a separate heat or energy source. Here Peter Swanson, managing director at adhesives specialist Intertronics, explains how the new Born2Bond range represent a big step forward in cyanoacrylate technology.
There are a number of cyanoacrylate monomers which are used to formulate cyanoacrylate adhesives:
- Methyl (MCA) – primarily for metal-to-metal applications.
- Ethyl (ECA) – for plastic, metal, wood, ceramics and glass substrates (the most commonly used in both industry and household).
- Methoxyethyl (MECA) – for low odour, low bloom formulations.
There are of course, others including octyl monomers which are used to make medical products for bonding skin, for example. Despite their popularity, up until now cyanoacrylate adhesives have had drawbacks based around brittleness, limited temperature and moisture resistance, and other physical disadvantages.
There are bad perceptions around odour, and poor aesthetic outcomes due to blooming. These have limited their appeal and application. MECA-based formulations, which mitigate some of the issues around blooming and smell, often compare poorly with ECA-based products in terms of speed and strength.
The Born2Bond range represents a big step forward in the technology of cyanoacrylate adhesive chemistry. Due in part to a proprietary new “crackless” manufacturing process, this new portfolio of ground-breaking engineering adhesives - focused on ‘by-the-dot’ bonding applications - breaks new ground.
Born2Bond cyanoacrylate adhesives overcome many of the performance and application limitations of existing products. They also facilitate faster, smarter production processes while prioritising user safety and sustainability. The days of compromise in “instant” adhesive choice may be over.
Some of the implications for your production include higher adhesive strength, the ability to gap fill, and operating temperatures of up to 120°C. There are low odour, low bloom formulations without performance compromise, with very fast cures and low irritability. High impact resistance and toughness feature, and one product is flexible with >200% elongation. In the Born2Bond range there are cyanoacrylate adhesives with long pre-assembly open times, but with the characteristic “instant” cure upon assembly. The first odourless, light-curing cyanoacrylate adhesive is also ISO 10993 tested and is suitable for consideration in the assembly of medical devices. The range features safer products, with fewer or no label hazard symbols.
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
