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So, I use super glue for everything, literally probably assembled 400 models completely with superglue, so I am pretty familiar with using it, but never noticed this ...
I used a little too much superglue on a model, so I dabbed some extra off with a paper towel. In a few seconds, the paper towel had what appeared to be a smoky mist or vapor come off of it for a few seconds.

within 15 seconds, the entire tip of the towel was very hard, even though I had coated it with lots of glue. Something must have accelerated it's curing. I know superglue gets hot as it dries, but that was wierd. (no, the towel does not appear burnt). I know If I use a lot of glue and hover over the model, the vapor can make my eyes burn and smell bad, so I try to avoid that.

Any ideas?

Daemons trying to break through obviously. Sounds like you had a close call.



But, yeah cant say Iv heard of this before.

Super glue is an evil substance from the warp. No mortal being can understand its beavior

Seriously, you seem to be using quite an unhealthy one, maybe buy a different brand? Or just use plastic cement on plastic models (you said you superglued everything)

When super glue comes in contact with fibrous materials, like paper towels or cotton, there is a chemical reaction that generates heat. I looked it up after spilling some thin super glue on to my jeans and getting a bit burned from it.

I am actually quite confident in the brand I use, Loctite. Plus plastic cement produces such vapors that I think I might die early if I used that.

I am a super glue guy, that was just wierd. I think I would agree with Solo Falcon here. I bet it has to do with the immense surface area of the material allows the glue to dry much faster, and produces more heat (from the rapid chemical reaction). Just need to be cautious ...

I did this once trying to make smoke plumes for a objective. I glued on the cotton balls, and spashed on some quick dry super glue, and walla I had real smoke rise from it. I was young so I thought i started a chemical reaction, and was going to fry my tank i glued it on. But all was well.

SoloFalcon1138 wrote:When super glue comes in contact with fibrous materials, like paper towels or cotton, there is a chemical reaction that generates heat. I looked it up after spilling some thin super glue on to my jeans and getting a bit burned from it.

Superglue gives off its own heat as it cures (it doesn't need to be in contact with organics to do this) as it's an exothermic reaction that kicks off on contact with air and atmospheric moisture - although the nature of fibrous materials do accelerate the process by allowing the surface area to be expanded. The polymer chain in the superglue fills the "gaps" in the fibres, solidifying it. The greater the surface area, the faster it cures and the faster it cures the HOTTER it gets. Spilling the thin very runny superglue on you will show you that (you only notice the spill once it has trailed down your arm and started to go off, and the heat isn't exactly gentle.

I've made cotton balls IGNITE using just superglue.

It's happened a lot with me when building balsa wood airplanes, whatever you do DO NOT inhale or get vapor into you eyes, it will burn your eyes and throat like all hell (It's probably not healthy, but nothing on the MSDS' I've seen have mentioned any dangers)

evildrspock wrote:I am actually quite confident in the brand I use, Loctite. Plus plastic cement produces such vapors that I think I might die early if I used that.

I am a super glue guy, that was just wierd. I think I would agree with Solo Falcon here. I bet it has to do with the immense surface area of the material allows the glue to dry much faster, and produces more heat (from the rapid chemical reaction). Just need to be cautious ...

100%

I use loctite, I'm a superglue guy, and that is the reason. Larger surface area allowing more moisture in the air to react with the Cyanoacrylate causing such a quick reaction that the typically cool hardening of the glue was suddenly done very quickly at a high temperature.

SCIENCE!