Here's an Interesting Question about CA.

[Rocketeer]

Greetings Gang,

Ok, A friend of mine came by the house last evening and handed me a couple of 2 oz. bottles of Mecury Adhesives, M1100G thick viscosity CA. He said he had acquired a case of them and was passing them out to various club members.

As I eagerly accepted the 'free stuff' I noticed that the bottles of CA were rock hard. Of course my first thought was, AHA! he's only giving it out because it isn't any good. I asked him, "what's up? this stuff is rock hard?" His response was "just put it in the microwave for a bit and it will be restored."

And now the question..... Has anyone ever heard of this or actually put a bottle of cured CA in a microwave and was then able to use it again???
Again, I am no GURU on RC tips and tricks and this might be a quite common practice but admittedly I am reluctant to just throw things in a microwave without some research on the expected results.

The floor is now open....

Clear Skies

Bill L.
in Okla.

[Loneflier]

Re: Here's an Interesting Question about CA.

That is a new one on me for sure. I would be very doubtful that microwaving the hardened CA would do any good at all. Not sure I would trust it afterwards anyway. If anyone does know something different, I would like to hear it too.

[Baron]

Re: Here's an Interesting Question about CA.

Try explaining to your wife (after the explosion all over the interior) why the door will not open and the tray will not rotate. I am sure she would be very understanding... <smiley image="smiley_wink.gif"/>

[Randol]

Re: Here's an Interesting Question about CA.

Never heard that before. I always thought that in order for a microwave to heat something, it had to have moisture content. CA does cure in the precence of moisture, but I don't think its present in the cured form. Let us know how it goes :)

[Rocketeer]

Re: Here's an Interesting Question about CA.

Greetings guys,

All of your sentiments are mine as well. (especially Baron's)
When I was told about this microwave thing I was extremely dubious.

I have an old microwave in a closet at school that pretty much only I know exists. I'm thinking that the best way to know is to actually try it. If the unit gets ruined it won't matter.

I might try to turn it into a curiosity based experiment for my students.

More to come (maybe)

Clear Skies

Bill L.
In Okla.

[WintrSol]

Re: Here's an Interesting Question about CA.

Here is a quote from the FAQ page at Bob Smith Industries:
"Q: Can anything be used to thin CA (decrease its viscosity)?
A:

The only substance that can be added to thicker CA to reduce its viscosity is thin cyanoacrylate. Any other additive will quickly harden the adhesive."
They have nothing about de-polymerizing CA.

I suspect the microwave may make hardened CA more pliable, but can't see it actually becoming useful after it has become polymerized. I'd wrap the bottle in paper toweling before attempting this test, just to keep the spray, if any, to a minimum.

[Rocketeer]

Re: Here's an Interesting Question about CA.

Greetings WintrSol,

Indeed, I plan to incorporate a barrier of some type if I actually get brave enough to attempt the test.


Clear Skies

Bill L.
in Okla.

[StarHopper]

Re: Here's an Interesting Question about CA.

Doesn't address the question, but since it's about CA I'll give a tip that'll help provide longer shelf life.
Keep your Kicker as far away from it as possible. Even if tightly capped & with the little 'topper cap' on it, the fumes it gives off will get to the CA.

My CA's are kept in a small dividered box on my main work table, & my Kicker's stored in a tool chest on the other side of the shop, in double zip-lok'd bags & only comes out when needed. Since learning of this & engaging the practice, my CA's do seem to last longer, in fact haven't had to toss a single bottle yet - not even a noticeable change in viscosity.

+++
I'll go ya one more. In a pinch, do you know you can make your own Kicker?
Get one of these (see pic below) small 'dropper bottles' - like this or 'bent spout', available from Beauty Shop Supply outlets for a buck or so.


Fill maybe 4/5's with plain water. Add a good dollop (~tablespoon) of baking soda, cap off & shake the livin' Hades out of it, until completely dissolved in the water. Set it down & check it later.
OK, you keep adding a little baking soda & repeating, until when you check later & some of it has precipitated (layer on the bottom). Voila - there's your kicker, with drop dispenser. Simple as that.

The down side of this is, when dried it leaves a white chalk-like residue. My understanding is this old trick came from model railroaders 'scenery' builders - they call it home made concrete or somesuch.
When you see it, you'll know why.

Oh, and give it a good shakeup before each use. :)

[Rocketeer]

Re: Here's an Interesting Question about CA.

Greetings,

Good Tip...



Clear Skies

Bill L.
in Okla.

[WintrSol]

Re: Here's an Interesting Question about CA.

Another tip, when gluing foam or other plastics, is to apply the alkaline kicker to one side of the joint, let it sit a while, so it isn't very wet, then apply the CA to the other side and press them together. The reason is, most materials have some moisture, which is usually at least somewhat alkaline, and alkalinity is what 'cures' the CA. Plastics, and some other materials, either have little or no moisture, and may even be somewhat acidic; the kicker counteracts this.

[Rocketeer]

Re: Here's an Interesting Question about CA.

Greetings WintrSol,

What are you using to increase the Ph in your water, Baking Soda, Ammonia, Bleach??
Just wondering.....

Clear Skies

Bill L.
in OKla.

[WintrSol]

Re: Here's an Interesting Question about CA.

I seldom need to use the kicker, so still have the spray bottle of whatever I got at the hobby shop. When it needs refilling, it will probably be baking soda, since we rarely have ammonia in the house, and I don't like the smell of sodium hypochlorite.

[motorbill66]

Re: Here's an Interesting Question about CA.

Microwaves are useless for this. Cyo is basically an acrylic plastic. I can't think of anything else made of the stuff that would benefit from this 'treatment'. I have indicated elsewhere in this group that indeed it is the proximity of the kicker that generally thickens and eventually hardens Cyo. My trick is a bit different though. I keep mine in a glass jar with a metal lid. That way I can keep it on the bench, though I do tend to keep it somewhat away the good bottles. I've also heard that keeping it in the fridge will increase the shelf life considerably. I haven't tried that one though.