| HS Code | 793249 |
| Chemicalname | Methyl Cyanoacrylate |
| Iupacname | Methyl 2-cyanoprop-2-enoate |
| Synonyms | Methyl 2-cyanoacrylate; MCA; Methyl alpha-cyanoacrylate |
| Casnumber | 137-05-3 |
| Ecnumber | 205-275-2 |
| Molecularformula | C5H5NO2 |
| Molecularweight | 111.10 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid |
| Odor | Sharp, irritating, acrylic-like |
| Density | 1.104 g/cm3 at 25 °C |
| Boilingpoint | 47-48 °C at 0.2 mmHg |
| Meltingpoint | -40 °C (approx.) |
| Flashpoint | 75 °C (closed cup) |
| Refractiveindex | 1.443 (n20/D) |
| Viscosity | Approximately 2-3 mPa·s at 25 °C |
| Watersolubility | Reacts with water; generally insoluble but polymerizes |
| Polymerization | Rapid anionic polymerization initiated by moisture |
| Vaporpressure | 0.2 mmHg at 25 °C |
| Decompositiontemperature | >150 °C (polymerizes/decomposes) |
| Toxicity | Irritant to skin, eyes, and respiratory tract; harmful if ingested/inhaled |
As an accredited Methyl Cyanoacrylate factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Methyl cyanoacrylate is packaged in sealed 500 mL amber glass bottles with hazard labels and UN-approved fiberboard outer packaging. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Container loading: Methyl Cyanoacrylate in clean, dry 20′ FCL; palletized, moisture-sensitive drums, securely braced, labeled, sealed per dangerous goods rules. |
| Shipping | Methyl cyanoacrylate is generally not regulated for ground or sea transport. For air shipment, use UN3334, Aviation Regulated Liquid, n.o.s. (Methyl cyanoacrylate), Class 9, Packing Group III. Ship in approved, sealed packaging; keep cool, dry, and protected from moisture to prevent polymerization. Follow IATA and local regulations. |
| Storage | Store methyl cyanoacrylate tightly closed in its original container in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from heat, ignition sources, and direct sunlight. Refrigeration at 2–8°C is often recommended; allow to reach room temperature before opening to prevent condensation. Protect from moisture, alcohols, amines, acids, bases, and peroxides to avoid rapid polymerization. Follow manufacturer instructions. |
| Shelf Life | Methyl cyanoacrylate typically has a shelf life of 6–12 months when unopened and stored cool, dry, and away from moisture. |
Extruded EPDM and TPV weatherstrip lines operating at 12–25 m/min produce profiles that are cut and spliced off-line; the splice cell uses methyl cyanoacrylate because the monomer’s anionic cure mechanism is initiated by surface-adsorbed water rather than by oven heat. The operation begins with a guillotine knife cut at a 15–30° scarf angle, followed by a solvent wipe when the substrate shows exuded paraffinic process oil. If line humidity is below 35% RH, the cut faces are primed with an aliphatic-amine accelerator solution; above 35% RH, no primer is applied. The rubber bonding grade is metered from a disposable static-mixing tip into a pneumatic clamp applying 0.3–0.7 MPa. The formulation contains methyl cyanoacrylate monomer at 91–95 wt%, polymethyl methacrylate thickener at 3–7 wt%, an acidic stabilizer at 0.01–0.05 wt%, and fumed silica at 0–2 wt%. Metering volume is 0.02–0.06 mL/cm² through a needle with an internal diameter of 0.16–0.33 mm. At 50–65% RH and 23°C, fixture time is 3–8 s, whereas at 20% RH the same formulation can require 12–20 s before the clamp opens.
Adhesive shear strength is tested to ISO 4587:2003 on EPDM reference plaques after 24 h conditioning at 23±2°C and 50±5% RH. The splice process is typically controlled under IATF 16949 production part approval requirements, with periodic destructive lap-shear testing and process capability monitoring. Terminal pieces include EPDM door seals, trunk lid seals, window channel weatherstrips, and TPV hood-seal splices. A known boundary condition is that sulfur-cured EPDM compounds with high paraffinic oil loadings may show interfacial delamination after 70°C hot-air aging because plasticizer migration reduces boundary-layer cohesion; this is addressed by a final acetone or isopropyl alcohol wipe immediately before adhesive application. Published data for this specific splice geometry is limited across TPV grades, so incoming substrate surface-wetting checks are required when a new weatherstrip compound is qualified.
In high-density miniature loudspeaker and receiver assembly, unfilled methyl cyanoacrylate functions as a temporary wire-tacking and coil-termination adhesive rather than as a structural encapsulant. The grade is mostly monomer: methyl cyanoacrylate at 96.5–99.0 wt%, polymeric thickener below 0.5 wt%, and methanesulfonic acid or hydroquinone stabilizer in the ppm range, yielding a viscosity of 3–10 mPa·s at 25°C when measured to ISO 3219:1993. Pneumatic dispensers fitted with 0.10–0.25 mm internal diameter needles deposit 0.002–0.008 mL dots onto voice-coil lead pads. The parts then pass through a humidity-controlled tunnel held at 45–60% RH and 21–25°C. Handling strength develops in 3–8 s, enabling a pick-and-place cycle of 5–12 s; full ambient cure continues for 24 h. Wire pull force after cure is checked using IPC-TM-650 2.4.42, and the assembled module must meet RoHS 2011/65/EU and REACH restrictions for the final product. Terminal pieces include microspeakers, balanced-armature receivers, and linear haptic actuator voice-coil modules. The main production constraint is monomer volatilization: at ≥65% RH or in stagnant vapor zones, unreacted methyl cyanoacrylate can form white bloom on adjacent polycarbonate diaphragms and housing lenses; extraction velocity above 0.5 m/s across the dispensing station and a controlled adhesive dot diameter are mandatory.
Manual and semi-automatic edge banding repair cells apply methyl cyanoacrylate into gaps between hardwood lippings and panel cores, relying on moisture in the cellulosic substrate to initiate cure. The repair formulation is filled enough to bridge 0.2–0.5 mm gaps without dripping: methyl cyanoacrylate monomer at 82–90 wt%, polymethyl methacrylate at 5–10 wt%, hydrophobic fumed silica at 2–4 wt%, and stabilizer at 0.01–0.03 wt%. The process sequence involves removing wax, dust, and oil with acetone, applying adhesive through a fine nozzle, then pressing the edge band with a roller or clamp at 0.05–0.15 MPa for 10–30 s. Sanding can proceed after 15–30 min, but full shear strength requires 24 h at 20–25°C and 40–60% RH. Bond performance is verified to ISO 4587:2003 on beech reference specimens, while edge cohesion for interior non-structural applications is determined under EN 204:2016 classification D3. Terminal products include edge-banded cabinet doors, desktops with solid-wood lippings, and staircase handrail trim. A process boundary is that wood species with high tannic acid content—oak, chestnut, and western red cedar—can retard anionic polymerization; published quantitative cure-retardation data for all species is limited, but production cells typically apply a thin accelerator to one surface before adhesive dosing to stabilize handling time.
Ophthalmic surfacing operations use methyl cyanoacrylate to fasten a lens blank to a blocking plate or alloy block before diamond turning and polishing. The blocking adhesive is unfilled and low-viscosity: methyl cyanoacrylate monomer at 90–95 wt%, a non-reactive polymeric thickener at 1–3 wt%, and stabilizer at 0.01–0.03 wt%. Application volume per lens is 0.01–0.03 g, dispensed in a central spiral pattern to prevent air entrapment; the blank is pressed in an alignment fixture for 5–15 s at 0.02–0.06 MPa. The adhesive must survive coolant immersion and surfacing torque while the lens is generated, but the joint must remain removable without scratching the optical surface. Deblocking is performed in 60–80°C water plus mild mechanical shear; the blocking plate is then cleaned with solvent and reused. The final lens conforms to ISO 8980-1:2017 for blank dimensions and surface quality. Terminal pieces include single-vision and progressive ophthalmic lens blanks. The operational boundary is thermal depolymerization: continuous exposure above 80°C weakens the bond, and cured cyanoacrylate is not a low-outgassing material for sealed optical assemblies; qualification to ASTM E595-15(2021) is required for such applications, and published data for this specific configuration is limited.
Because methyl cyanoacrylate forms a rigid adhesive layer with minimal creep under short-term static strain, it is used for bonding metallic foil strain gauges to steel and aluminum test specimens in experimental stress analysis. The installation-grade formulation contains methyl cyanoacrylate monomer at 88–93 wt%, polymeric thickener at 2–4 wt%, and fumed silica at 0–2 wt%, producing a viscosity of 50–150 mPa·s at 25°C to limit wicking into the polyimide backing. The specimen is abraded with 320-grit alumina paper, degreased with acetone until a water-break-free surface is observed, and a gauge is positioned with polyester tape. One drop of adhesive, 0.02–0.05 mL, is applied to the gauge back, the tape is folded over, and thumb pressure is maintained for 30–90 s. Full ambient cure proceeds for 24 h at 20–25°C and 30–50% RH before wiring. Installation quality is assessed against ASTM E1237/E1237M-19 guidance for bonded resistance strain gauges; gauge performance characteristics may be verified under ASTM E251-92(2003). Terminal products include metallic bonded resistance strain gauges, force transducers, and load cells used in mechanical testing. The joint is limited to approximately −40°C to +80°C in continuous service; at higher temperatures, depolymerization of the cyanoacrylate backbone causes creep and gauge instability. At relative humidity above 70% RH, a polyurethane or acrylic barrier coat must be applied over the gauge to prevent moisture plasticization of the adhesive layer.
Vitreous china and porcelain sanitaryware repair cells use methyl cyanoacrylate for chip fill and small-batch component assembly where the bond surfaces can be dried and degreased. The filled grade contains methyl cyanoacrylate monomer at 86–92 wt%, polymethyl methacrylate at 5–8 wt%, fumed silica at 1–3 wt%, and stabilizer at 0.01–0.03 wt%. The substrate is dry-fitted, wiped with acetone, and if the ambient relative humidity is below 35% RH, a silane or amine primer is applied to one surface to accelerate cure. Adhesive is applied as a bead or as a dust/ceramic filler mixture, and the parts are clamped at 0.05–0.15 MPa for 10–30 s; fillets can be dressed after 15 min, while full shear strength is reached after 24 h at 20–25°C. Shear strength on ceramic test pieces is recorded to ISO 4587:2003, and water resistance is checked by 24 h cold-water immersion followed by re-testing. Terminal items include repaired vitreous china washbasins, ceramic soap dishes, tile edge assemblies, and porcelain serviceware handles. A defined incompatibility exists with hot-water immersion: cured methyl cyanoacrylate loses shear strength progressively above 60°C and is unsuitable for components exposed to continuous 80°C water or steam; epoxy or polysiloxane systems are used beyond that boundary.
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Methyl cyanoacrylate is a one-part, solvent-free, low-molecular-weight cyanoacrylate ester that polymerises at room temperature through an anionic mechanism initiated by surface moisture. The active monomer is methyl 2-cyanoacrylate, CAS 137-05-3, and commercial grades are typically differentiated by viscosity. Unfilled low-viscosity product classes are supplied at 2–5 mPa·s at 25 °C, medium-viscosity classes at 20–40 mPa·s, and thixotropic gel classes at apparent viscosities above 10,000 mPa·s at 1 s⁻¹. The liquid is stabilised with acidic anionic-polymerisation inhibitors, usually sulfur dioxide and methanesulfonic acid, at total concentrations below 100 mg/kg. Methyl cyanoacrylate is packaged in moisture-resistant high-density polyethylene or aluminium containers because humidity ingress during storage is the principal cause of batch degradation. The product requires no mixing, no solvent evaporation, no ultraviolet cure, and no thermal cycle; bonding begins when the monomer contacts weakly basic sites on a substrate surface.
The electron-poor vinylidene group of methyl 2-cyanoacrylate is highly susceptible to nucleophilic attack. Hydroxyl ions, water adsorbed on metal oxides, silanols on glass, or basic residues on rubber surfaces initiate rapid chain growth. Propagation proceeds through a carbanion active centre; termination occurs through chain transfer, cyclisation, or monomer depletion. The cure reaction is exothermic. In a 0.10 mm bond line, the local temperature rise can exceed 10–20 °C under 50% relative humidity. Because the initiating species are derived from the substrate and the environment, cure speed is a system property rather than a pure material constant. Relative humidity between 40–60% is specified for most assembly processes. At humidity below 20%, fixture time may exceed 60 s unless an activator is used. At humidity above 70%, the monomer may cure too rapidly, producing poor alignment tolerance and increasing bloom. Acidic surfaces such as leather, certain wood species, or organotin-stabilised PVC can neutralise the anionic chain carrier and inhibit cure.
On automated production lines, the processing window is governed by substrate moisture, ambient dew point, part surface temperature, and bond-line gap. For degreased, grit-blasted steel bonded to nitrile rubber, fixture times at 23 °C and 50% relative humidity are commonly 5–20 s. A humidity increase from 30% to 70% may reduce fixture time by 40–60%, but the same change increases vapour re-deposition and bloom on adjacent surfaces. Cooling parts below 5 °C is sometimes used to extend open time in multi-axis robotic assembly, provided the dew point remains below the part surface temperature to prevent condensation. The unfilled low-viscosity methyl cyanoacrylate is not a gap filler; the optimum bond-line thickness is 0.05–0.15 mm, and tensile lap shear values decrease sharply when the gap exceeds 0.25 mm.
Generic model designations in technical data sheets follow viscosity class: MCA-LV for low-viscosity unfilled monomer, MCA-MV for medium-viscosity, and MCA-GEL for thixotropic gap-filling compounds. These designations are product classes rather than manufacturer-specific trademarks. The gel class contains hydrophobic fumed silica at 3–8 wt%; it is produced under high-shear mixing to disperse the thixotrope without generating the hot spots that would trigger monomer polymerisation. The following table summarises representative technical data sheet ranges. Site-specific acceptance criteria should be generated from production trials and supplier certificates of analysis.
| Parameter | Test method | MCA-LV | MCA-GEL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viscosity at 25 °C | ISO 2555, ISO 3219 | 2–5 mPa·s | 10,000–25,000 mPa·s at 1 s⁻¹ |
| Density at 25 °C | ISO 1675 | 1.10–1.12 g/cm³ | 1.08–1.10 g/cm³ |
| Set time on grit-blasted steel | internal fixture test | 5–20 s | 30–90 s |
| Tensile lap shear strength, grit-blasted steel | ISO 4587 | 18–25 MPa | 12–18 MPa |
| Continuous service temperature range | manufacturer thermal cycling | -55 °C to 80 °C | -55 °C to 80 °C |
Lap shear values may also be generated under ASTM D1002 using aluminium or steel coupons. The numerical values are comparable but not directly transferable because coupon geometry, surface preparation, and loading rate differ between the two methods.
Surface preparation controls failure mode more than monomer selection in many production joints. For metals, alkaline degreasing followed by 80–120 mesh alumina or silica grit blasting removes oxide scale and increases mechanical interlock. For plastics, methyl cyanoacrylate bonds acceptably to phenolics, ABS, nylon, and rigid PVC, but it can stress-crack polycarbonate, acrylic, and polystyrene. Polyolefins, fluoropolymers, silicone, and many thermoplastic elastomers require a primer; without primer, lap shear values on polypropylene are typically below 1 MPa and are insufficient for structural load transfer. On rubbers, methyl cyanoacrylate generally wets nitrile, SBR, and natural rubber without pretreatment, but releasing agents and antiozonants can leave weak boundary layers. Alkaline surfaces such as unsealed concrete or zinc carbonate on galvanised steel can cause instantaneous, highly exothermic cure and a brittle interfacial layer.
The selection among cyanoacrylate esters is governed by the balance among tensile shear strength, rigidity, impact resistance, odour, and bloom. Methyl cyanoacrylate provides the highest tensile lap shear on metals and rubbers among the standard ester homologues, but the cured network is the most rigid and brittle. In compression-loaded joints such as speaker spiders bonded to metal baskets, gaskets secured in rigid housings, or ferrite cores fixed to backing plates, the high modulus prevents creep and preserves alignment. The product should not be selected for peel-prone joints, shock-loaded assemblies, or parts with large differential thermal expansion because the rigid bond line is susceptible to brittle fracture.
| Property | Methyl cyanoacrylate | Ethyl cyanoacrylate | Butyl cyanoacrylate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viscosity at 25 °C | 2–5 mPa·s | 3–10 mPa·s | 2–100 mPa·s |
| Tensile lap shear on steel, ISO 4587 | 18–25 MPa | 15–20 MPa | 8–15 MPa |
| Impact resistance | low, brittle fracture | moderate | high |
| Bloom potential | high | moderate | low |
| Continuous service temperature, dry air | -55 °C to 80 °C | -55 °C to 80 °C | -55 °C to 75 °C |
Published data for direct substitution of methyl with butyl cyanoacrylate under identical service conditions is limited; the values shown are typical ranges from supplier technical data sheets, not application-specific validation data. Methyl cyanoacrylate has the strongest odour and the highest lacrimatory potential among the standard esters, which imposes local exhaust ventilation and enclosed dispensing. Ethyl cyanoacrylate is more commonly selected for general bonding where lower bloom and less brittle behaviour are required. Butyl cyanoacrylate is preferred for flexible plastics and lower-odour environments. The final selection should be based on ISO 4587 lap shear, ISO 11343 impact strength, and damp heat exposure under ISO 9142.
Methyl cyanoacrylate shows acceptable resistance to motor oils, transmission fluids, and non-polar solvents, but it is significantly weakened by polar organic solvents, ketones, and prolonged water immersion. The performance profile differs from structural epoxy and polyurethane adhesives in that methyl cyanoacrylate offers faster fixture without mixing but lower gap fill, lower peel strength, and lower service temperature. Published data for specific chemical immersion environments is limited; exposure trials under ISO 175 should be performed when fuel or solvent resistance is required.
On manufacturing lines, methyl cyanoacrylate is dispensed through precision needle valves or positive-displacement pumps. Because the unfilled monomer has low viscosity, needle diameters of 0.21–0.41 mm and shot volumes of 0.002–0.050 mL are common in electronics and medical device assembly. Capillary wicking is an advantage for wire tacking and ferrite core bonding but can cause unintended migration into movable parts. Needle tip clogging is the dominant failure mode in high-speed dispensing when ambient humidity exceeds 60%; polymerised monomer accumulates at the metal tip and disrupts shot mass. Automated dispensing heads therefore use sealed tip reservoirs, fluoropolymer tubing, and desiccated air purges. Amine-containing cleaning solvents, alcohol-based test inks, and alkaline degreaser residues must be kept away from open monomer reservoirs because these substances initiate uncontrolled polymerisation. The use of surface-insensitive or non-blooming grades does not eliminate the need for humidity control but reduces sensitivity to acid substrates and vapour haze.
Full handling strength of methyl cyanoacrylate develops rapidly. On steel-to-steel lap specimens prepared and tested according to ISO 4587, 50–70% of final lap shear strength may be reached within 60–120 s, but complete polymerisation through a 0.10 mm bond line can continue for 6–24 h. The exotherm is strongest in thick films because polymerisation is limited by surface initiation and heat transfer. A large bead of unfilled monomer may reach surface temperatures above 60 °C; therefore, dispensed volumes should match bond-line volume. Blooming occurs when vaporised monomer re-deposits on adjacent surfaces and polymerises into a white haze. Methyl cyanoacrylate shows this failure with greater severity than ethyl or butyl esters because of its comparatively high vapour pressure. Process controls include part shielding, local exhaust, lower ambient humidity, and non-blooming thixotropic formulations. The generation of bloom on optical lenses or decorative surfaces is not reversible without solvent cleaning, which itself may attack the underlying plastic.
The operational boundary for continuous service is approximately 80 °C in dry air. In moist environments, hydrolytic chain scission accelerates above 60 °C and 80% relative humidity, causing loss of lap shear strength within weeks rather than years. The product is therefore unsuitable for dishwasher components, humidifier seals, or exterior automotive joints unless protected by encapsulation or validated under ISO 9142 damp heat cycling. It is incompatible with alkaline activators, amine-functional silanes, and tertiary amine accelerators because these materials trigger premature crosslinking and exotherm. Standard technical grades are not formulated for direct food contact; any food-contact status must be verified under FDA 21 CFR 175.105 or applicable sections. Medical device applications require cytotoxicity validation under ISO 10993-5. Regulatory compliance for general industrial use includes registration under EU REACH Regulation No 1907/2006 and restriction screening under RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. Supplier certificates of analysis should be required for each batch because stabiliser level, viscosity, and fixture speed can shift with monomer source and storage time.
Storage requires sealed original containers at 2–8 °C or 20–25 °C depending on supplier recommendation. Refrigerated storage is not mandatory for all grades but extends shelf life by reducing hydrolytic degradation. Containers must be allowed to equilibrate to ambient temperature before opening to prevent moisture condensation on the cold monomer surface. Once opened, product should be consumed within the specified work shift; headspace should be purged with dry nitrogen or desiccated air before resealing. Shelf life for unopened low-viscosity methyl cyanoacrylate is typically 6–12 months from the date of manufacture. Extended humidity exposure increases viscosity and reduces fixture speed; therefore, off-spec odour, hazy appearance, or abnormal viscosity is grounds for quarantine.
Batch release testing for critical bonding applications should include viscosity, set time, lap shear on steel, and visual clarity. In-process verification of adhesive strength on production parts is often performed by off-line destructive tensile shear testing to ISO 4587 or destructive torque testing on bonded fasteners. Records should include ambient relative humidity, dew point, part surface temperature, and dispenser shot mass. If lap shear values fall below the lower control limit, the first response should be to check surface contamination, acidic residues, or excessive bond-line thickness rather than to assume monomer degradation. Methyl cyanoacrylate behaves as a system; no single material property controls process capability.
