Everyone has heard of (or used) crazy glue, super glue, or Gorilla glue. Did you know that all three of these adhesives can be contained under one name? Cyanoacrylates are one-part, low viscosity adhesives that are ideal for a wide range of applications. From medical-grade fixes to household repairs, cyanoacrylates can always get the job done.

Did you know that cyanoacrylates were originally created by accident? In 1942, a gentleman named Dr. Harry Coover was attempting to make clear plastic gun sights for the guns used in World War II when he accidentally discovered a formulation that was not particularly useful for gun sights, but worked extremely well as a quick-bonding adhesive.

Despite the potential of the product, Coover abandoned the formulation (due to being sticky and the moisture cure) and continued working toward his original project. However, nine years later in 1951, Coover (in conjunction with Fred Joyner and Eastman Kodak) found a need for a heat-resistant adhesive for jet canopies. Remembering his previous formula, Coover was finally able to find a use for his incredibly efficient adhesive and placed it on the market in 1958.

Cyanoacrylate’s Many Uses

Cyanoacrylates have come a long way since the middle of the 20^th century. Their uses have morphed from jet canopies to medical equipment and bonding metal to glass. Specifically, thanks to cyanoacrylates’ crystal-clear cure, bonding glass pieces together has never been simpler.

The original formulation for cyanoacrylates has been expanded upon to encompass new and improved applications, such as extended cure times for positioning parts accurately or USP-Grade certification for assembling medical devices.

Many cyanoacrylates are subject to unsightly fogging in hot or humid conditions. Adapted adhesives such as Permabond 940 are alkoxyethyl cyanoacrylates. These adhesives reduce fogging and improves the production rate of acceptable parts. The odor of these cyanoacrylates is reduced as well, making them ideal for enclosed or poorly ventilated working conditions.

Cyanoacrylates are innovative adhesive solutions that have only become more advanced as time has worn on. If you have questions or want to explore our diverse adhesive options, our representatives are here to help! Give us a call, toll-free, at 1-800-220-1966 or send us an email at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!