About Super Glue
Super glue is one of the many names given to cyanoacrylate, which is the scientific short name of the many powerful, fast-acting types of glue on the market. Super glue is just one brand of these types of glue, though the name has been applied to all fast-drying, instant glues from those that are found easily in stores to the stronger industrial types. Super glue has a number of uses, including as a tool in medicine, and should be handled carefully because of its toxicity.
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History of
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Super glue has its origins rooted in World War II, when it was discovered by Harry Coover. He worked at Eastman Kodak, a large American corporation that manufactures imaging and photographic equipment. He was researching how to make plastic gun-sight lenses when he accidentally created the substance, which was useless then because it stuck to everything. Instead, it was sold to industrial and consumer markets as Flash Glue. Flash Glue is owned today by Gary Shipko, who is the president of Super Glue International. In 1956, super glue was patented, and it was introduced as Eastman 910 adhesive in 1959.
The Facts
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Super glue comes in a thick liquid form that contains cyanoacrylate molecules, which include oxygen, carbon, hydrogen and nitrogen. Whether methyl or ethyl-2-cyanoacrylate, super glue has the same features. It is an acrylic resin that bonds two surfaces together with incredible strength. It requires moisture to set, so it needs the moisture in the air around it to work, making it useless in a vacuum. Super glue sets in under a minute and reaches full strength in about two hours.
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Benefits
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Many useful benefits have come from the creation of super glue. Because it is easily sheared after setting, it has been used to temporarily bind heavy, industrial-strength materials and electronics. It is resistant to water, thus making it a favorite of aquatic mechanics. Super glue has also become a tool used in surgery because it does not harm the skin, making it easy to bond surgical wounds.
Risk Factors
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People who handle super glue should not wear cotton, because super glue releases a great deal of heat when it comes into contact with cotton. If enough of the glue touches it, it can even cause the cotton to light on fire. Fumes from super glue are also enough to irritate the eyes, nose and throat, so exposure to super glue should not be extended. In some people, super glue can also cause an allergic reaction when placed on the skin.
Type
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Although all types of super glue perform the same job, there are different brands and chemical makeup. Ethyl-2-cyanoacrylates are common super glues that are sold to consumers and are often used in school and in the home. Different brands include Flash Glue and Krazy Glue. N-butyl-cyanoacrylate is a type of super glue that is used for veterinary purposes. Finally, 2-octyl-cyanoacrylate is the type of super glue used in medicine.
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