Elevate Your Cyanoacrylate "Super Glue" Application With an Accelerator
Cyanoacrylate, commonly known as super glue, revolutionized many industries when it was invented. A wide range of difficult substrates like plastics, metals, leather, wood and more were able to be bonded quickly and permanently with a simple application process. As more cyanoacrylates hit the market, some produce slower set times than others.
This is where cyanoacrylate "super glue" accelerators come in to play. A cyanoacrylate accelerator can be applied to bonding surfaces before the adhesive to create an almost instant bond. These products are also useful to cure super glue that may be pressed out of two substrates when they are put together.
What is a CA Accelerator? The Quick Explanation
There are many uses for super glue accelerators but the most common, and obvious use, is to speed up the cure time of super glue. In addition, super glue accelerators can lead to a stronger final bond, especially in dry climates and between difficult substrates that contain a lot of oil or acid (think wood).
Super glue uses the moisture in the air to cure. It is a highly reactive adhesive, once it begins to cure it forms a permanent bond with the substrate. A super glue accelerator helps to provide moisture to speed up the curing process - it can also help out in dry climates.
When Should I Use a CA Accelerator?
The list of uses for accelerators goes on and on. We won't bore you with the details — we'll focus on the most common and most effective applications. Woodworkers use layers of super glue and super glue accelerator, either alone or in conjunction with oils, to create super strong and super weather-proof finishes for their projects. Super glue accelerators are a great add-on in situations where the faster the set time, the better the overall performance. It is especially useful for adhering difficult substrates and creating lasting bonds in low humidity environments.
Infinity Bond Quickbond's easy-to-handle spray bottle is great for product assembly, manufacturing, wire tacking, silk screening, gap filling, and many more applications.
What products work with a CA Accelerator?
Infinity Bond Quickbond Super Glue Accelerator is a cyanoacrylate accelerator that speeds up the cure time for the Infinity Bond line of super glues — and any other super glue, for that matter. We especially recommend the Quickbond accelerator to pair with the Infinity Bond Rubber Toughend super glue or thicker super glues like gels , which typically have slower cure times.
The Science Behind Cyanoacrylate Super Glue Accelerators
What You Need to Know About Cyanoacrylate
Cyanoacrylate glue (super glue) is typically composed of 91% ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate (ECA), 9% polymethacrylate, <0.5% hydroquinone, and a trace of organic sulfonic acid. Thinner glues are typically closer to 100% pure ECA.
Super glue is highly reactive, which is why it requires stabilizer to stay in a liquid state. It cures the second that moisture deactivates its stabilizers and the adhesive begins to polymerize in a permanent bond with the substrate.
The bonding reaction is caused by condensed water vapor on the surface of two substrates. The faster the super glue is trapped between these two surfaces, the faster it cures. The same goes for humidity - the more moisture the substrate has, the faster the super glue will cure.
Because curing starts at the surface and develops toward the center, thick seams or large dots of glue may harden slowly or not at all. Avoid seams thicker than .25mm if you want a secure bond.
How Does the Super Glue Accelerator Work?
Super glue accelerators are typically acetone-based, using acetone as the primary evaporating agent. This means that once applied, the acetone evaporates leaving an active accelerator ingredient on the surface. The glue drives up quickly and firmly on the intended surface.
How to Use a Super Glue Accelerator
Before you start your bonding applications, make sure the two parts that are being bonded together are clean and dry. The surface needs to be clean and dry so the super glue can bond efficiently. Dirt or dust can hinder the super glue's maximum performance. Once your substrates are clean and dry, you can start the gluing process.
- Spray the Accelerator: First, spray the accelerator onto the substrate. Make sure to not spray too much or "drown" the area with the accelerant. Too much accelerator can cause a "blooming effect" which can turn the surface frosty or white in color.
- Apply the Super Glue: After spraying the accelerator, apply your super glue on the opposing side.
- Press Substrates Together: Once the accelerator and adhesive is applied to opposing substrates, join them together and hold to form an instant bond.
Why Choose Infinity Bond Products?
The Infinity Bond motto is "better glue for less" which is exactly what they bring to their complete line of adhesives, dispensing equipment and accessories. Don't let the prices fool you, Infinity Bond products are every bit as good as the 'big guys' but they don't make you pay for simply having a big brand logo on the bottle.
Infinity Bond Quickbond is a premium product at an affordable price. Contact us with questions or for help with choosing the perfect adhesive for your cyanoacrylate application or for information about accelerators.