Ameer Randolph
Superglue, or ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate, is a strong adhesive that bonds many substances, including human skin and tissues, natural fibres, cotton, wool, and leather. Standard superglue is made from fossil fuels and takes thousands of years to biodegrade, but recent innovations have led to the development of a soy-based alternative that is not only strong but also biodegradable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does super glue contain fossil fuels? | Yes |
| Ingredients | Ethyl cyanoacetate, formaldehyde, nitrogen or some other nonreactive gas, free radical inhibitors, and base scavengers |
| Alternative | A new alternative derived from soya plants |
| Biodegradability | Takes thousands of years to biodegrade |
| Soy-based glue | Can cut carbon emissions |
| Soy-based glue performance | In many cases, soy-based glue proved to be just as strong, if not more so, than traditional superglues |
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What You'll Learn
Super glue is made from ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate
Superglue, or ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate, is a colourless liquid with low viscosity and a faint sweet smell in its pure form. It is soluble in acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, nitromethane, and methylene chloride. Ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate is the primary active ingredient in most super glues and is also sold under trade names such as "Super Glue" and "Krazy Glue".
Ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate is a type of cyanoacrylate ester, which is an ethyl ester of 2-cyano-acrylic acid. It is prepared by condensing ethyl cyanoacetate with formaldehyde, followed by thermal decomposition of the resulting polymer. The presence of moisture in the air causes the glue to set, and the small amount of moisture in the air is enough to initiate polymerization. The polymer forms within a matter of minutes, creating a bond that is often stronger than the materials it joins.
The initial ingredient in super glue, ethyl cyanoacetate, is placed into a kettle with revolving blades and mixed with formaldehyde. The mixing triggers condensation, a chemical reaction that produces water; this water is then evaporated as the kettle is heated. When the water has evaporated, what remains in the kettle is the C.A. polymer. The kettle is then heated again, causing thermal cracking of the polymer and creating reactive monomers that separate out. When the finished glue is applied, these monomers recombine to form a bond.
Standard superglue is 100% ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate, but many custom formulas contain additives such as fumed silica to make them more viscous or rubber to make them more impact-resistant. While super glue is made from ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate, most adhesives are made from fossil fuels and take thousands of years to biodegrade. However, a new alternative derived from soya plants bonds metal, wood, and synthetic surfaces just as strongly.
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Fossil fuels are used to make standard epoxies
Most adhesives, including standard epoxies, are made from fossil fuels. They take thousands of years to biodegrade. However, a new alternative derived from soya bean oil forms high-strength bonds that can be used for metals, wood, and synthetic surfaces. This new type of glue can hold most materials together just as well as standard epoxies.
Standard epoxies are plastics based on fossil fuels. Petroleum epoxy manufacture generates about 5.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide for each tonne of product. This means that the production of epoxy resins may become less sustainable as global petroleum reserves deplete.
The new soya-based adhesive can be tailored for different applications by varying the temperature and duration of heating. For example, glue that lasts a week for labels or years for telephones. The emergence of bio-based epoxy resins derived from renewable resources could reduce the industry's reliance on non-renewable resources and decrease its environmental impact.
While epoxy resin has several eco-friendly attributes, it is important to recognize that there are some potential environmental concerns. Ongoing research and development in the epoxy industry are actively seeking renewable alternatives to petroleum-based raw materials.
Super glue, or cyanoacrylate polymer, is made from ethyl cyanoacetate, formaldehyde, nitrogen or some other nonreactive gas, free radical inhibitors, and base scavengers. The process of making super glue involves distillation, where monomers are piped into a second collector and become liquid. This liquid is the C.A. glue, although it needs to be protected from curing. Various chemicals are added to remove impurities that would otherwise harden the mixture.
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Soy-based glue is a fossil fuel-free alternative
While super glue is made from fossil fuels, soy-based glue is a fossil fuel-free alternative. It is made from natural soy flour and a proprietary crosslinking resin. When blended, the resin reacts with the protein in the soy flour to form a durable, water-resistant adhesive. This type of glue is environmentally friendly and reduces the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Soy-based adhesives are also cost-effective and have excellent water resistance. They are available in a wide range of binding strengths and meet global formaldehyde emission standards. Additionally, they are eligible for green building certifications such as LEED and CARB Phase 2 exemptions.
The use of soy-based adhesives can also help reduce the amount of microplastics in the environment. These adhesives can be used in various applications, including wood bonding, packaging, and flooring installations. For example, soy-based glue has been used in more than 50 million formaldehyde-free plywood panels, showcasing its effectiveness as an alternative to traditional adhesives.
While soy-based adhesives offer many advantages, they may not be suitable for all applications. For instance, in automotive and aerospace structures, the strength and permanence of traditional adhesives may still be necessary. However, by varying the temperature and duration of heating, the strength and biodegradation timing of soy-based adhesives can be tailored to meet specific requirements.
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Soy adhesives are stronger than superglue in some cases
Most adhesives, including superglue, are made from fossil fuels and take thousands of years to biodegrade. However, a new alternative derived from soya plants has been shown to bond metal, wood, and synthetic surfaces just as strongly. In some cases, it can even outperform superglue. For example, when tested with polished aluminium, the soya-based adhesive was found to be about 30% stronger than superglue.
The soya-based adhesive is made using epoxied soy oil, malic acid, and tannic acid. It forms strong carbon-nitrogen bonds and creates a cross-linking matrix that binds materials. The adhesive is also water-resistant, maintaining up to 78% of its original strength after one week underwater.
While the soya adhesive is generally strong, it may not be suitable for all applications. For example, it may not be sufficient for gluing together automotive and aerospace structures, as these require extremely strong and permanent bonds. Additionally, the adhesive works best when cured for 24 hours at 180°C, which may not be feasible for all manufacturing processes.
Despite these limitations, the development of this soy-based adhesive is a significant step towards more sustainable and biodegradable alternatives to traditional fossil fuel-based adhesives. It offers hope for more environmentally friendly commercial products, packaging, and sticky labels. With further optimisation, it may be possible to create adhesives that are both strong and degradable for recycling.
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Ethyl cyanoacetate is the initial ingredient in super glue
Most adhesives, including super glue, are made from fossil fuels and can take thousands of years to biodegrade. However, the initial ingredient in super glue is ethyl cyanoacetate, which is derived from ethyl cyanoacrylate. Ethyl cyanoacrylate is a monomer that rapidly undergoes chain-growth polymerization in the presence of water, specifically hydroxide ions. This process forms long, strong chains that join bonded surfaces together.
Standard superglue is composed of 100% ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate, but custom formulations may include other compounds such as poly(methyl methacrylate), hydroquinone, and organic sulfonic acid. Ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate is the primary active ingredient in most super glues and is commonly sold under trade names such as "Super Glue" and "Krazy Glue".
The process of making super glue involves placing ethyl cyanoacetate into a kettle with revolving blades and mixing it with formaldehyde. This triggers a condensation reaction that produces water, which is then evaporated as the kettle is heated. Heating the kettle further results in the thermal cracking of the polymer, creating reactive monomers that separate out. When the finished glue is applied, these monomers recombine to form a strong bond.
While super glue is a convenient and strong adhesive, it is important to note that it has a low shearing strength and is not suitable for bonding smooth surfaces. Additionally, the use of ethyl cyanoacrylate can cause chemical burns if applied in large quantities directly to the skin.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, standard superglue is made from fossil fuels.
The main ingredient in super glue is ethyl cyanoacetate, which is a hydrocarbon radical. Other ingredients include formaldehyde, nitrogen or another nonreactive gas, free radical inhibitors, and base scavengers.
Yes, a new alternative derived from soy plants can bond metal, wood, and synthetic surfaces with similar or greater strength compared to super glue.
In tests, soy-based glue was found to be around 30% stronger than super glue when bonding polished aluminum.
Soy-based glue is biodegradable, can cut carbon emissions, and helps reduce the amount of microplastics in oceans and landfills.
