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Cyanoacrilate Glue + Heat = OK?

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Sulaiman

Thu Aug 23 2007, 03:58PM

Registered Member #162 Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 10:25AM
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3140

Hi, I'm just trying my first circuits using "Manhattan-Style" breadboarding
using fiberglass board with single-sided copper foil, and superglue (cyanoacrilate I think)

In small amounts, is there any real hazard from the fumes?
Especially when heated to soldering iron temperatures?
Even if all the glue has not set?

Hazmatt_(The Underdog)

Thu Aug 23 2007, 05:40PM

Registered Member #135 Joined: Sat Feb 11 2006, 12:06AM
Location: Anywhere is fine
Posts: 1735

OH YEA there is. I used to use the super glue to fix my small wound coils that I was making for bugging devices and whenever you apply the soldering iron you get Cyanide gassed. It's a very irritating burning sensation in your eyes and may make you cough a few times if you get a dry drop of it too hot. If you're using a lot of the glue you're going to need to open the windows or even be prepaired to leave the room quickly.

I would suggest not even using super glue. The copper foil is bonded to the fiberglass using the same compatible fiberglass resin. I would mix that ( its a 2 part polystyrene resin) and smear that on the copper then foil it in place. The resin is really tough stuff and can even be used to glue copper foils to the bottom of Tesla coil forms as your end terminal.

AndrewM

Thu Aug 23 2007, 09:10PM

Registered Member #49 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 04:05AM
Location: Bigass Pile of Penguins
Posts: 362

The fumes aren't cyanide, its just vaporized cyanoacrylate. Its not especially harmful, as the very same stuff, albeit usually with a different alcohol, is used as a liquid bandage. You shouldn't breathe it in if you can avoid it, but I wouldn't sweat it.

Bjørn

Thu Aug 23 2007, 09:40PM

Registered Member #27 Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 02:20AM
Location: Hyperborea
Posts: 2058

This is a good starting point:

One important question would be, is your glue pure ethyl cyanoacrylate or does it have something more sinister mixed into it?

ragnar

Thu Aug 23 2007, 11:54PM

Registered Member #63 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:18AM
Location:
Posts: 1425

Sulaiman, I think you'll find "manhattan-style" breadboarding VERY rewarding, especially for your higher frequency work.

Even if the glue isn't completely dry, you'll always get a little cloud of smelly vapour. If you breathe it, it tastes terrible, if you smell it, the odor is strongly offensive and burns a bit, and if it gets into your eyes, you'll weep for about a second, but any irritation is quite short term -- seconds at most. You'll probably develop the habit of breathing out as you solder anything with CA under it.

Since I know that the exposure can't be good for me, I just run a little 60mm 12V computer fan sucking away from the general area where I'm soldering, and I have no problems.

I WOULD strongly suggest to continue using CA/superglue, because it's so convenient for the job. Even though you're heating it up, once the pad has cooled down again, the glue holds plenty of strength.

I also like the CA because you can fracture the join by shearing or twisting the pad with some pliers if you want to relocate it later.

AndrewM

Fri Aug 24 2007, 01:51AM

Registered Member #49 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 04:05AM
Location: Bigass Pile of Penguins
Posts: 362

BP looking at those boards reminds of of those "and this is the spider's web on Meth..." videos :)

Bored Chemist

Fri Aug 24 2007, 05:49AM

Registered Member #193 Joined: Fri Feb 17 2006, 07:04AM
Location: sheffield
Posts: 1022

I think the typical superglues are nearly pure cyanoacrylate ester. The thickened ones might have other things in them.

Sulaiman

Fri Aug 24 2007, 07:14AM

Registered Member #162 Joined: Mon Feb 13 2006, 10:25AM
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 3140

I like the "Manhattan Style" of breadboarding,
very quick for prototyping, changing components around etc.

At the moment I'm experimenting with different oscillators at 136kHz
checking frequency stability of various topologies.
At this frequency having a ground plane isn't important, but I do find this style useful.

On the down side,
I haven't had my fingers burnt (painfully overheated really, not literally burned)
during soldering this much for decades

ragnar

Fri Aug 24 2007, 02:27PM

Registered Member #63 Joined: Thu Feb 09 2006, 06:18AM
Location:
Posts: 1425

Andrew, is it the total lack or any organisation of my boards that makes them look like crap? I guess I'm not really adhering to Manhattan principles very well -- this kind of prototyping is supposed to make things tidier, not messier

Sulaiman, have you not yet developed 'asbestos fingertips' from all the soldering?

I went out of my way to import a holepunch from "harbor frieght" (usa) which is apparently perfect for cutting little discs of copper...

Bjørn

Sat Aug 25 2007, 02:40PM

Registered Member #27 Joined: Fri Feb 03 2006, 02:20AM
Location: Hyperborea
Posts: 2058

The way the components are placed relative to eachother with a total disrespect of the whole gives associations to brain damage or drug induced psychosis.

versus

It also reminiscent of insects and spiders

So the connection to spiders and drugs is not far off.

It will not sell very well but I respect it more than anything with a blue LED on it.

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