Basic Guidelines

Basic Use

Information:

Cyanoacrylate Adhesives

Table of Contents:

Choosing a CA Adhesive

Additional Products

Accessories

Epoxy

What is it?

The term “CA” is short for Cyanoacrylate, a one-part instant cure adhesive. A chemical synthesis process produces Cyanoacrylates by changing acetate to an acrylate. This process also includes the first purification step for making Cyanoacrylates. Stick Fast™ Cyanoacrylate is then further distilled until this crude acrylate becomes a Cyanoacrylate monomer that is at least 99.5% pure. This high purity level gives Stick Fast™ superior cure strength, reduces cure times, and helps increase stability and shelf life.

Stick Fast™ Cyanoacrylates are surface insensitive formulated to provide bonding on a wide variety of materials without primers.

Stick Fast™ Cyanoacrylates are Made in the USA. This provides you with the freshest materials available that are produced at the highest industrial quality standards.

How does it cure?

In most cases, the moisture found on any surface will initiate the curing mechanism of the cyanoacrylate. This moisture, combined with the elements of the surface creates a possible activating pH level. The higher the acid level of the surface, which equates to a pH level below 4, the slower the cure. This is due to the fact that organic acids are used as stabilizers in the manufacturing of cyanoacrylates. These acidic stabilizers are a major facilitator in keeping the cyanoacrylate in its liquid form. Stick Fast™ cyanoacrylates are surface-insensitive formulated for bonding a wide range of similar and dissimilar materials.

Stick Fast™ ACTIVATOR will accelerate the cure faster than moisture alone and may be the only way to create a cure on some highly acidic surfaces. Using too much ACTIVATOR will cause an exothermic reaction that will cause foaming and reduce bond strength. Using AEROSOL ACTIVATOR allows for a lighter, more even application that reduces the foaming tendency.

Storage

Unopened Bottles

Store in a dry area, ideally at less than 50^o F. May be stored in a refrigerator but freezing is not recommended. If stored in a refrigerator, bring up to room temperature before using.

DO NOT refill bottles. Refilling will shorten the shelf life of the added cyanoacrylate and may create contamination.

Opened bottles

Store in a cool, dry area.

Do not store in refrigerator or freezer; atmospheric moisture in the bottle will condense, causing premature curing and reduce shelf life. The cold temperatures will also affect viscosity.

Moisture reduces the shelf life of cyanoacrylate. When storing cyanoacrylates for an extended time, place bottle in a moisture tight jar (plastic or glass) with DRY PAK desiccant. DRY PAK’s color changes from blue to pink indicating that the desiccant is no longer absorbing moisture. To reuse the DRY PAK when this happens, place the PAK into a microwave oven for about two minutes to dry out the desiccant. Use caution, as the DRY PAK will get very hot, overheating will destroy the bag.

DO NOT STORE CYANOACRYLATE WITH OR NEXT TO ACTIVATOR

The ACTIVATOR’S fumes will initiate the cure within the bottle.

Applications

Use a minimum amount of cyanoacrylate– more is not better.

Testing applications on scrap materials may save time and bad results.

Surface Preparation:

Before bonding, be sure surfaces are clean, especially hard surfaces such as metal, plastics, and glass.

Before bonding or crack-filling wood with cyanoacrylate that will be stained or clear finished, we suggest a quick spray of lacquer to the area. This helps seal the surface which prevents the cyanoacrylate from absorbing into surrounding areas. After cyanoacrylate application, the area can be sanded or turned, leaving a “finishable surface”.

Bonding:

Use a cyanoacrylate viscosity that does not completely absorb into surface. Apply cyanoacrylate to one surface only. For an instant bond, spray Stick Fast™ ACTIVATOR on other surface. Press parts together.

Filling:

Use CA-MEDIUM or CA-THICK. Adding fine sawdust will blend in the fill. For a fast cure, wait 5 to 8 seconds, and then lightly spray with ACTIVATOR. For large cracks, dents, or holes, fill and level with 1 part baking soda – 10 parts fine sawdust and carefully apply CA-THIN. The soda will accelerate the cure deep in the crack or gap. Sand shortly after applying CA-THIN. To reduce or eliminate absorption marking in the surrounding wood, lightly spray area with a sealer prior to filling. When filling large cracks or gaps, use caution, WAIT before turning the wood, the top layer will cure first leaving material deep in the crack liquid for a longer period of time even if using an activator to accelerate the cure.

Finishing with cyanoacrylate:

Use CA-THIN, CA-MEDIUM, or CA-THICK as a protective finish. Quickly apply with a sturdy cloth, shop paper towel, or polyester pillow filler (found in sewing departments). Cyanoacrylates will heat up as it cures. Polyester filler may be wrapped around a round dowel to act as a swab. cyanoacrylate finish may be reapplied, sanded, polished, or lacquered after cure. A cured cyanoacrylate surface is considered non-stainable.

Sealing with cyanoacrylate:

CA-THIN or CA-MEDIUM will absorb into wood to seal and bond spalted or punky areas. Sealed wood can be turned, sanded, or finished. Insure cyanoacrylate is cured before turning to prevent uncured material from spraying. Use CA-THIN to seal, bond, and preserve natural edge bark.

Accelerating CA cure time:

Stick Fast™ ACTIVATOR creates a cure in 2 to 3 seconds. Wait 5 to 8 seconds after cyanoacrylate application before spraying directly on the cyanoacrylate. To accelerate bonding applications, typically apply cyanoacrylate to one surface and ACTIVATOR to the other, then press together. Spray on ACTIVATOR very lightly; too much will cause foaming and will weaken the bond. AEROSOL ACTIVATOR will minimize foaming when spraying directly on cyanoacrylate and is ideal and when cyanoacrylate is used for finishing or sealing. When large amounts of cyanoacrylate are used, especially when filling with cyanoacrylate, the activator will start the cure process on the top creating a skin where the material under the skin may be still liquid. WAIT additional time and exercise caution when turning under these conditions.

Precision application of Cyanoacrylate:

Use our unique CHANGE-A-TIP. The various precision tips available allow a controlled application. The quick-change feature allows easy change to different tip sizes and to replace clogged tips.

Reduce Clogged Tips

Clogged tips:

One of the most irritating problems of using cyanoacrylate is the clogging of the bottle tip after a few uses. The normal remedy to this problem is to scrape the cured plug off, push the plug out, or to cut the tip back. If scraped with a fingernail uncured cyanoacrylate may cause fingers to stick together. Cutting the tip back makes a larger and larger opening, which creates less control of application. To reduce clogging after dispensing, hold the bottle upright and lightly tap the bottom on a hard surface. Any remaining cyanoacrylate should drain back from the tip. You can also squeeze the bottle slightly, causing a burping action, forcing the remaining cyanoacrylate to “pop out”. In both cases, be cautious where you are aiming the tip.

CHANGE-A-TIP to the rescue… Low cost, precision plastic tips, each with a different opening, are included with an adapter cap. This allows a quick-change of a clogged tip and provides precision application. Just ¼ turn of the tip, pull, discard, and replace.

Storing the cyanoacrylate correctly will also reduce clogged tips. See “Storage – Opened bottles”.

Handling Precautions

All STICK FAST™ cyanoacrylate adhesives are non-toxic. However, cyanoacrylates are an irritant and we recommend that when using cyanoacrylate adhesives adequate ventilation be available to remove fumes. This could be as simple as a fan blowing air away from the application point. For those that are highly sensitive, a respirator may be necessary.

If accidental skin bonding occurs use DE-BONDER, or use warm, soapy water to separate skin. Gradually work the skin free. Do not use excessive force to pull the bonded area apart.

Should eye contact occur see a physician. Flush eye with water, and do not force the bonded area apart. DO NOT USE DE-BONDER. When corneal surface and eyelid are bonded together, treat with a suitable anti-irritant ointment and allow eye to remain closed. Bond separation will occur naturally with time.

Stick Fast™ ACTIVATOR and DE-BONDER contain solvents that are extremely flammable. Do not puncture or incinerate aerosol containers. Do not use near source of ignition or spark or store above 120^oF. Use with adequate ventilation and avoid inhalation of vapors. Avoid skin and eye contact. Wash thoroughly after using. If swallowed see a physician.

ALWAYS USE EYE PROTECTION

AND IN A WELL VENTILATED AREA.

KEEP AWAY FROM CHILDREN.

Stick Fast™ Cyanoacrylate Adhesive Products

There are five different viscosities available. All of our cyanoacrylates are surface insensitive formulated and can be used to bond or seal a wide range of similar or dissimilar materials without primers. The set time will vary with humidity, viscosity, and volume or thickness of each application.

Product	Viscosity	Approx set time in seconds
Product	Viscosity	Wood	Metal
CA-Thin	5 CPS	3-8	5-12
CA-Medium	500 CPS	8-15	10-25
CA-Thick	2000 CPS	10-25	15-30
CA-Gel	Paste	15-30	20-40
CA-Flexible	2000 CPS	8-20	15-30

Choosing a Cyanoacrylate adhesive

When bonding, choose a viscosity that does not absorb completely into the surfaces to be bonded. For uneven bonding surfaces, select a thicker viscosity to fill the gaps. Apply a small amount. More is not better. Cyanoacrylates can bond a variety of materials such as wood, metal, glass, rubber, ceramics, and plastics.

CA-THIN

· Water thin consistency.

· Fast setting and curing.

· Fast bonding of relatively non-porous surfaces.

· Penetrates wood quickly to harden and seal surfaces.

· Wicks into joints for bonding without disassembly.

CA-MEDIUM

· Thin syrup consistency.

· Longer set time to allow for assembly and alignment.

· General purpose adhesive.

· Fill gaps up to 1/32 inch.

· Penetrates porous wood to harden and seal surfaces.

· Excellent wipe on final finish coat to harden surface. For higher gloss, overcoat with spray-on lacquer and buff.

CA-THICK

· Syrup consistency.

· Even longer set time for assembly and alignment.

· Good filling characteristics for larger cracks and uneven surface bonding.

· Excellent wipe on final finish coat to harden surface.

CA-GEL

· Gel consistency.

· Provides longest assembly time and greatest gap filling capabilities.

· Adhesive will not run off surfaces.

CA-FLEXIBLE

· Syrup consistency the same as CA-THICK.

· Unique formula that has extremely good bond strength that retains a flexible condition when cured.

· Ideal for bonding dissimilar materials such as wood, metals, glass and rubber.

· Excellent for pen and pencil kit assembly.

· Bond will withstand high impact without breaking.

· Flexible is the most versatile of all our cyanoacrylate formulas.

Additional Products

ACTIVATOR

· Significantly accelerates the cure of all the cyanoacrylate formulas.

· Use when cure time is unacceptably long due to large gaps or clamping time.

· Spray pump bottle is a low cost solution that provides excellent results.

· Aerosol spray application provides the best application of activator for spraying directly on cyanoacrylates. The spray is more atomized and greatly reduces potential foaming problems due to over use.

DE-BONDER

· Clean up and skin cleaning.

· Cannot be used as a thinner for cyanoacrylate.

· DE-BONDER changes the molecular structure of the cyanoacrylate to make it a “non-adhesive”.

DO NOT USE ON EYES OR OTHER MUCOUS MEMBRANES.

Accessories

CHANGE-A-TIP

· Quick-change cap adapter and precision tips.

· Provides precision application of cyanoacrylates.

· Helps prevent over application.

· Low cost disposable tip change when clogged.

· Wide variety of tips for every application.

DISPENSE PAK

· Two 15cc Syringes.

· Wide variety of plastic and stainless steel tips.

· Accurate dispensing of thicker materials.

MICRO TIP PAK

· Use on Change A Tip adapter and Dispense Pak syringes.

· Wide variety of plastic tips.

· Economic bulk packed.

STAINLESS STEEL TIP PAK

· Use on Change A Tip adapter and Dispense Pak syringes.

· Wide variety of stainless steel tips.

· Economic bulk packed.

FLEX TIP PAK

· Slips over standard cyanoacrylate nozzle or MICRO TIP.

· Allows flexible application in tight corners.

· Ideal for lower viscosity THIN and MEDIUM cyanoacrylates.

DRY PAK

· Storage solution to extend the shelf life by absorbing moisture. (See Storage)

· Color change indicator to determine effectiveness.

· Place in moisture tight jar with cyanoacrylate bottles.

· Do not store cyanoacrylate with ACTIVATOR.

Stick Fast™ Epoxy

EPOXY – WOOD PUTTY

· Wood Putty is a two-part epoxy stick with a putty consistency.

· Epoxy hardens in 15 minutes with no shrinkage or pulling away.

· Will not drip or sag.

· May be drilled, sawed, nailed, carved, machined, sanded, stained and painted.

· Mixing and Application:

o Cut off required amount that will be used in 15 minutes or less, peel off wrap.

o Knead or mix until uniform color.

o Firmly work epoxy into surface.

o Wet fingers with water and rub into putty surface for maximum workability.

o Sand within first few hours for maximum staining.

· Surface Preparation

o Sand to roughen surface and to remove any loose paint, dirt or other contaminants.

o Dry surface is preferred but Wood Putty will adhere to damp surfaces.

· Applications:

o Wood to wood, wood to metal, wood to ceramic, wood to glass adhesive.

o Repairing damaged furniture, molding, paneling, doors, woodcarvings, etc.

o Rebuilding, fabricating and reshaping wood parts.

o Model making.

o Repairing stripped screw holes, filling nail holes, refastening hinges.

Keep out of reach of children.

Wash hands with soap and water after use.

DISCLAIMER

The information contained herein is based on data considered accurate. However, no warranty is expressed or implied regarding the accuracy of the data or the results to be obtained from the use thereof. Because the information contained herein may be applied under conditions beyond our control, we assume no responsibility for its use.