Cyanoacrylate Adhesives: The High-Performance Bonding Solution

In the professional world, where assembly reliability and production time reduction are major challenges, cyanoacrylate adhesive has become an essential reference.

Thanks to its ultra-fast polymerisation and high mechanical strength, it is widely used in manufacturing, electronics, aerospace, automotive, and medical device production.

 

What is a Cyanoacrylate Adhesive?

 

A cyanoacrylate adhesive is a single-component adhesive that reacts in the presence of trace moisture. This process triggers instantaneous polymerisation, creating an extremely strong bond in seconds, without heat or prolonged pressure.

Principles & Families

  • Polymerisation: Anionic reaction initiated by moisture → setting in seconds.
  • Common Families: Ethyl (versatile), Methyl (metals), Alkoxy (low odour/low blooming), Toughened formulations (reinforced), Gel (thixotropic).
  • Key Assets: Productivity (fast cycle), very good initial adhesion on metals/plastics/elastomers, simple application (thin deposit).
  • Limitations to Consider: Small gap filling capability, sensitivity to peel/impact (except toughened versions), blooming (whitening) on certain finishes.

In other words, it is a fast and versatile industrial adhesive capable of guaranteeing reliable assemblies in demanding environments.

 

Why Choose a Cyanoacrylate Adhesive?

 

Using cyanoacrylate adhesives offers several advantages to manufacturers:

Decisive Advantages

  • Setting Speed: Functional bonding in seconds.
  • Precision: Thin deposit for small parts, wicking (capillary action) possible.
  • Workshop Versatility: Low footprint, simple implementation.
  • High Mechanical Performance (Toughened Version): Excellent tensile, shear, and impact resistance.
  • Multi-Material Compatibility: Metal, technical plastics (ABS, polycarbonate), rubber, composites, ceramics.
  • Transparency: Guarantees a clear finish.

Points of Attention

  • Reduced Gap Filling: Prefer fitted surfaces or gel/thixotropic versions.
  • Blooming: Manage ventilation, choose low-bloom/alkoxy versions, apply less product.

 

Use Cases: Cyanoacrylate Application Fields

 

Cyanoacrylate adhesives find their place in numerous industrial sectors. They allow for the rapid and durable bonding of rubbers, flexible or rigid plastics, metals, MDF, leather, and composites. Among common applications:

  • Footwear and Leather Goods Industry
  • Automotive Repair and Manufacturing
  • Manufacturing and Installation of Seals in Construction
  • Furniture and Plastics Processing
  • Assembly of Cellular Rubbers and Thermoplastics

Furniture - Rapid Bonding of PMMA/ABS Parts

Assembly of PMMA/ABS parts (transparent covers, display glazing, edging/skirting) where a clean and fast bond is required without heavy tooling.

Observed Benefits:

  • Very short cycle.
  • Discreet/ultra-thin bead (aesthetic).
  • Good adhesion on PMMA/ABS.

Textile/Leather Goods - Bonding Leather and Technical Fabrics

Thixotropic gel cyanoacrylate adhesives used to assemble leather, fabrics, and technical textiles onto plastics/metals/wood.

Observed Benefits:

  • Very fast setting with high resistance on leather and fabrics.
  • Thixotropic formulation (gel) limiting soaking/run-off on porous substrates.
  • Multi-material compatibility (textiles → plastics/rubbers/metals) for finishes and accessories.

 

Quick Comparison: Cyanoacrylate vs Other Adhesives

 

Criterion

Cyanoacrylate (CA)

Methacrylate (MMA)

Two-Component Epoxy

Polyurethane (PU) / Silicone

Setting Speed

Very Fast (sec.)

Fast to Medium (min)

Medium to Long

Slow to Medium

Gap Filling

Low

High

Low to Medium

High

Impact / Peel

Medium (↑ if toughened)

Excellent

Good

Very Good (PU) / Good (Sil.)

Odour

Low to Moderate

Distinct

Low

Low

Service Temp.

Medium

Medium to High

High

Medium

Plastics Adhesion

Very Good*

Very Good

Good

Variable

*Subject to surface energy/material type.

 

Choosing Your ACROBOND Reference

 

Our team recommends a formula based on the substrate, joint geometry, cycle time, and mechanical constraints.

Selection Guide

  • Viscosity: Low (wicking/capillarity, very tight gaps), Medium (general use), Gel (vertical parts/localised gaps).
  • Setting Time by Substrate: Faster on rubbers, slower on dense metals.
  • Specific Requirements: Low blooming/odour, toughened (impact/peel), high temp, LSE compatibility (with primer).
  • Accelerator: Possible to reduce setting time (may influence final strength → testing required).

ACROM Team Tip: Initiate cross-tests (actual substrate + surface preparation) to validate kinetics and resistance under usage conditions.

 

ACROM Cyanoacrylate Solutions

 

ACROM offers a wide range of cyanoacrylate adhesives designed to meet specific professional needs. Selection is primarily based on viscosity and joint geometry.

 

Ranges by Viscosity

  • Low Viscosity: ACROBOND CA 15, ACROBOND SF 3, ACROBOND CA 84, ACROBOND CA 9
  • Medium Viscosity: ACROBOND CA 3, ACROBOND CA 500
  • Gel / Thixotropic: ACROBOND CA GEL, ACROBOND CA GEL 52

 

Indicative Setting Times by Substrate

  • Rubber: 2 to 5 seconds
  • Plastics: 5 to 20 seconds
  • Degreased Aluminium and Steel: 20 to 50 seconds

 

Curing Acceleration

To further reduce cycle times, ACROM recommends using the 150 ml aerosol activator on compatible substrates.

 

Best Usage Practices (Reminder)

 

  • Clean and degrease surfaces thoroughly before application.
  • Apply a thin layer (a few drops are sufficient) and avoid excess which can weaken the assembly and promote blooming.
  • Adapt viscosity and formulation to technical constraints (thermal resistance, flexibility, setting time).

 

Safety & Compliance

 

Handle with care following Safety Data Sheet (SDS) recommendations: gloves, safety glasses, ventilation. ACROM solutions are REACH, RoHS, and ISO compliant.

 

FAQ: Your Questions Answered

 

Why does my cyanoacrylate "bloom" (whiten)?

Migration/evaporation of monomers that re-deposit. Solutions: Minimal deposit, ventilation, low-bloom/alkoxy versions.

How to bond PP/PE or elastomers (EPDM, silicone)?

Use a primer for Low Surface Energy (LSE) materials or consider another technology. Always validate via testing on actual substrates.

Gel or Low Viscosity: How to choose?

Low viscosity for wicking/tight joints; Gel for vertical parts, localised gaps, or to avoid run-off.

Activator accelerates: Impact on strength?

Yes, possible depending on the substrate/formula pairing. It reduces setting time but can influence final strength → tests are indispensable.

What safety precautions?

PPE (gloves, glasses), ventilation, avoid skin/eye contact, respect REACH/RoHS/ISO and SDS instructions.

 

About ACROM

 

We support design offices, methods, and production departments in adhesive dimensioning, industrialisation, and production ramp-up. Application testing, choice of dispensing equipment, operator training, and process auditing.

Need an external opinion? Contact our teams for a testing protocol on your substrates and an adapted qualification plan.