Super glue. History of invention and production

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HISTORY OF TECHNOLOGY, TECHNOLOGY, OBJECTS AROUND US
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Super glue. History of invention and production

The history of technology, technology, objects around us

Directory / The history of technology, technology, objects around us

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The substance that forms the basis of all "super glues" was discovered twice. And this was done by the same person - Dr. Harry Coover.

Superglue

In 1942, Coover studied substances called cyanoacrylates. It was World War II, and a transparent polymer was needed for small arms sights. Unfortunately for Coover, cyanoacrylates were not suitable for this purpose, and in general they were very difficult to work with: the surrounding objects became sticky and stuck to each other. The cyanoacrylate monomer polymerizes (hardens) in the presence of moisture, and since minute traces of moisture are almost everywhere, this greatly interfered with the experiments.

Nine years later, in 9, Harry Coover (by then already a doctor) and his colleague Fred Joyner worked at the Eastman Kodak research center to create a heat-resistant acrylic polymer for jet cockpit lights. Legend has it that Joyner tried to measure the refractive index of cyanoacrylate, but upon completion of the measurements, he found that the prisms of the refractometer stuck together tightly. It took Kuver and Joyner 1951 years to bring the composition to mind - to pick up stabilizers (otherwise the glue would harden right in the bottle) and plasticizers (making the connection less brittle and increasing resistance to heat, acids and alkalis). In 7, the adhesive was released under the name Eastman Compound 1958 ("Mix 910").

Demand for the new product was rather sluggish - buyers did not believe in its miraculous properties. A lucky chance helped: Harry Coover was invited to take part in Gary Moore's popular TV show "I've Got a Secret" ("I have a secret"). In front of the audience, Coover, using one drop of "Mix 910", attached a metal bar to the end of the lifting cable. Within a couple of minutes, Coover demonstrated the strength of the connection: he took up the crossbar himself and asked the presenter to do the same, and then the assistants lifted both of them off the floor.

Now, of course, this trick is not surprising: even the simplest adhesives based on cyanoacrylates easily withstand loads of 150 kg/cm2, and more advanced ones, such as Loctite's Black Max, 250 kg/cm2.

For further advertising, Eastman Kodak Company used similar plots. But the inventor of superglue himself, Dr. Harry Coover, invariably starred in the title role.

Cyanoacrylate is a strong, fast setting, instant adhesive. Easily bonds non-porous and water-containing materials. Sets in less than a minute and reaches maximum strength in two hours. However, its shear strength is low, so superglue is sometimes used as a threadlocker or to hold a workpiece on a lathe.

Octyl-2-cyanoacrylate, the least toxic of the cyanoacrylates, is used for medical purposes to seal wounds and stop bleeding. During the Vietnam War, it was used to provide first aid for wounds.
Cyanoacrylate vapors are used to detect fingerprints on objects. This method is very successful, especially when using cyanoacrylate vapor in a vacuum chamber.

Cyanoacrylate slightly softens under the influence of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), after which its upper layer can be removed mechanically. With a long (more than a month) stay in DMSO, ethyl cyanoacrylate (layer thickness of about 5 mm) dissolves completely. Ethyl cyanoacrylate is insoluble in water, ethanol, dichloroethane. Soluble in nitromethane, which is used in liquids to remove cyanoacrylates. It dissolves well in acetone.

Attempting to bond materials containing cellulose (such as cotton) may result in a violent exothermic reaction. The heat released can cause burns if large amounts of cyanoacrylate are used. The reaction can be used to create fire.

The material safety data sheet for cyanoacrylate prohibits the wearing of cotton or woolen clothing, especially cotton gloves, while handling or transporting cyanoacrylate while handling the adhesive.

Vapors of cyanoacrylate, which are monomers, can irritate the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose and throat. But at a sufficient concentration, they instantly polymerize under the influence of moisture and become inert. It is believed that the risk may be negligible if working in a well-ventilated area. With regular exposure to cyanoacrylate, about 5% of people experience flu-like symptoms. Cyanoacrylate can also irritate the skin and cause allergic skin reactions. In rare cases, inhalation of vapors can cause asthma. For different cyanoacrylates, toxicity can vary significantly.

Author: S.Apresov

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