Combining cyanoacrylate glue with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO₃), the result is a very fast polymerization reaction. Here's why: ✔️ Why Baking Soda Works
Baking soda is mildly basic (alkaline). The polymerization of cyanoacrylate is base-catalyzed, meaning bases accelerate the curing process. When you apply baking soda to super glue, the sodium bicarbonate acts as a strong accelerator, causing the glue to cure almost instantly, even in thick layers.
It also creates a hard filler compound, often used for:
Gap-filling in repairs
Reinforcing joints
Making fast DIY composite materials
Bonus: The resulting cured mixture is hard, sandable, and can be drilled — which is why it's used by hobbyists, woodworkers, and model builders.
Baking soda and baking powder are not the same! See here
Baking powder is a mixture of ingredients, and it behaves very differently.
✖️ What’s in Baking Powder
It contains:
Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
One or more acidic salts (e.g. monocalcium phosphate, sodium aluminum sulfate)
Sometimes a starch to keep it dry and stable
🧪 Why Baking Powder fails to Accelerate Super Glue
The acidic components neutralize the basic effect of sodium bicarbonate. This means it doesn't provide the alkaline environment needed to accelerate polymerization. In fact, acidic conditions inhibit cyanoacrylate curing. Additionally, the other components (especially starch) dilute the reaction and may even act as contaminants.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
10-second fix or cyanoacrylate adhesive.
tldr;
Superglue is commonly based on cyanoacrylate, reacting with moisture, which polymerizes the glue.
Technically it doesn’t melt – heating the glue results in destruction of the polymer.
You could use an iron with blotting paper to try removing glue even out of cloth.
These glues have a softening point around ~125–165 °C.
“Heating the polymer causes depolymerization of the cured MCA, producing gaseous products strongly irritant to lungs and eyes.”
Super glue, known chemically as a cyanoacrylate adhesive, is a fast-acting, strong-bonding adhesive widely used in household, industrial, medical and aerospace contexts.
Its active ingredient is typically an alkyl cyanoacrylate monomer—most commonly:
These monomers polymerize rapidly in the presence of even trace amounts of moisture, such as water vapor in the air or on surfaces. This reaction forms strong thermosetting polymer chains that bond materials like:
The curing reaction is exothermic, and in some cases—especially on materials rich in hydroxyl groups like cotton or wool—can result in a violent reaction that generates enough heat to cause burns or even spontaneous ignition.
This occurs due to the extremely fast polymerization triggered by the hydroxyl groups in natural fibers. There are even accelerator sprays that force curing to occur instantly.
Cyanoacrylate adhesives do not melt under heat. Instead, when exposed to high temperatures, they decompose:
These are not softening or melting points in the traditional sense; cured cyanoacrylate does not melt but chemically breaks down. When this happens, irritating and potentially toxic fumes are released, including:
These byproducts can affect the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, so any thermal removal should be done with proper ventilation or protection.
Despite its strength, super glue can be removed under the right conditions:
However, due caution must be used when heating cured glue due to the risk of harmful fume release.
Super glue is best suited for non-porous surfaces and Rigid joints.
The cured adhesive is brittle, making it less suitable for load-bearing joints, applications exposed to mechanical vibration / flexing. Do not put under thermal cycling.
The limitation of flexibility and shock resistance have been improved by rubber-reinforced formulations.
A lesser-known aspect of cyanoacrylate adhesives is their use in medical and veterinary fields.
Originally developed during World War II for potential battlefield wound closure, later formulations such as butyl and octyl cyanoacrylates proved to be safe and flexible enough for direct skin application
Today, medical-grade adhesives (e.g., *Dermabond®*) are used for closing surgical incisions and treating skin wounds. These versions are Biodegradable, Less toxic and designed to degrade safely inside the body.
Super glue also plays a role in forensic science:
These adhesives remain incredibly versatile. In fact, super glue was famously used on NASA space missions to make emergency equipment repairs in microgravity — further proof of its effectiveness even in extreme conditions.
Combining cyanoacrylate glue with baking soda (*sodium bicarbonate, NaHCO₃*) results in a very fast polymerization reaction - ideal for DIY. To fix cracks in plastic, first roughen smooth surfaces by sanding to improve adhesion.
It also creates a hard filler compound, often used for:
Bonus: The resulting cured mixture is:
It is why it’s popular in DIY with model builders and even woodworkers. Even try cutting threads carefully after having drilled a hole.
Baking soda and baking powder are not the same!
Baking powder is a mixture of ingredients and behaves very differently. It contains:
Why it doesn’t work:
UV glue is a type of adhesive that cures when exposed to ultraviolet light. It remains liquid until activated by UV radiation, allowing precise positioning and clean application. Typically composed of acrylate or methacrylate monomers and oligomers, along with photoinitiators. When exposed to UV light, the photoinitiators generate free radicals that rapidly polymerize the monomers into a solid plastic-like material forming a a strong, clear bond within seconds. UV glue is ideal for glass, plastics, and electronics, and is commonly used in optical and jewelry work due to its transparency and fast curing.
Two-component epoxy consists of a resin and a hardener that must be mixed before use. The chemical reaction between the two forms a very strong, durable bond resistant to heat, chemicals, and moisture. Epoxies are versatile and suitable for bonding metal, wood, plastic, and ceramics. Depending on the formulation, curing time can range from minutes to hours, allowing both quick fixes and structural applications. Epoxy resin is often based on bisphenol-A diglycidyl ether and its hardener is commonly a polyamine or anhydride. Mixing triggers a chemical reaction—usually a step-growth polymerization—forming a strong, crosslinked thermoset polymer. Epoxy is toxic in its uncured (liquid) state. Once fully cured, it is generally inert and stable, but not all epoxies are food-safe.