02-07-2010, 07:40 AM
(02-07-2010, 03:39 AM)Scott Graham Wrote: Hu guys. This isn't casting related, but I've got to a point with cyanoacrylate glues where they make me asthmatic an hour or two after using them. I'm assuming it's an accumulated allergic reaction. I've read a bit about it on forums on the net and noticed it happens to a lot of people eventually. I've been a little afraid of building because I don't want to be gasping for breath if I use super glues.
One theory, by a person who worked with production of and sold super glues, is that if you use the medical grade glues that are the most pure, then you won't have the problems. I'm assuming that he meant won't have problems after you acquired a sensitivity to it.
So I've got some loctite 414 here I'll be breaking out soon and begin building again. I hope it works out. I don't want to have to use epoxy.
Obviously,your source doesn't know much about the product they worked with! There is no such thing as "medical grade superglue".
Superglue was the trademarked name by the Duro coporation in 1968 to help our boys out in the field to seal flesh wounds when stitches weren't practical. The exact same formulation of this is used today. There are however,different strengths of CA glues that have slightly different attributes from each other. The differences in formulation are - strength,colour (for furniture repair,and other colour matching),and some for industrial applications where hypoallergenic conditions are required.
We've come a long way in the formulation of the original Superglue brand CA adhesives since it was first introduced. It's still the same formulation,it's just that there are different strengths. There's no way of reformulating this to be odor free,or have it the same product strength. Either it IS,or it isn't superglue CA formulation.
As far as your problem is concerned -
There are two schools of thought on that: One is to use low odor superglue. Yes they DO make this! This is the Bob Smith industries brand that everyone I know uses,but this comes in a white labeled bottle.
The second school of thought is,use a respirator,or use a different type of glue.
There are many types superglue strengths that manufacturers use to achieve multilple types of bonds. Most people think that all superglue copies are the same. Loctite is the original maker of superglue. This is made by the DURO corporation. This was the one we all grew up with. Then the Japs copied this (as they do everything),and created Krazyglue. Then not long after,all the clones came out of the woodwork with them. But - not all superglue makers use the same formulation,or strength! This is why some may take longer to form a bond,while others cure almost instantly.
There are some that are so powerful that they make your nose burn,and eyes water if you get a wiff. This is why I use the thicker gap filling Bob Smith industries brand insta-cure + in the magenta bottle with the purple cap. Even though this isn't superglue brand,it IS strong without the powerful odor,so I can use for hours and never get a headache,having my lungs hurt,or the feeling of lightheadedness. I always keep it capped,even when using it. I just add enough to the part to join it,then cap it off. This keeps it from drying out,or letting excess fumes escape. I use a little on a scrap piece of plastic,and swirl another scrap piece of styrene into it,then I apply to the part. This will last a few minutes until I use it all up.
There are ways to get around the stink,but my problem with it,is that it's too thick at times because it takes a little longer to set,but the bond's the same strength as regular superglue. It being thicker means,that it has more acrylic in it. This is the acrylate mentioned on the bottle. This is the binder,and the cyanide in it is the activator that causes the odor,and the burning when it gets in your nose. Of course,this has acetone,and other solvents in it,but acetone is the number one component to making your eyes,and nose water as well,as burn just as much as the cyanide in it. This only compounds the problem. It's easy to keep this smell from burning you sinuses,but your lungs need a different type of protection. If you're using this for hours on end like I do,it's best to limit building to a couple days a week. I usually spend three to five hours a day working,but less than a third of that is gluing time.
I'm a scratch builder,so most of my time is spent drawing,redrawing,and cutting materials to build with. I know that this isn't what a lot of builders do,as they're building,not cutting raw styrene. Gluing only takes a few seconds,but cutting takes forever,so my time may vary from yours. An organic vapor charcoal filter respirator is this only thing I can recommend for you,if you're gluing all the time.
I use the Bob Smith industries brand,as this doesn't act like regular superglue copies do,which is why I use it. This is thick,so the ordor isn't as strong,but the bond is as strong as any superglue product I've ever used. It doesn't have the powerful odor that most CA glues have,which is a plus. This doesn't mean go sniffing it to see if it gives it you a headache,or if it makes your lungs hurt,or your nose burn,but it will make it sting like any other,just not as much.
Other than any of this,the only thing I can recommed is, use a polyurethane glue like GORILLA brand,or something similar. This glues things very strongly,but it oozes,and it needs to be removed right away! It also expands,so the only other thing I can think of is to use regular model glue,or epoxy.