Difference Between Super Glue and Epoxy

Super Glue vs Epoxy

Adhesives play a very important role in human life. Adhesives are of many types, all according to the need. They can be strong, mild, or weak. Adhesives which are not strong enough to adhere to a great length of time are called weak adhesives, for example, paper glue. Strong adhesives include epoxies and Super Glues.
In this article, we are discussing about the two strongest adhesives, super glue and epoxy.

Super Glue
Super Glue is a form of compound cyanoacrylate. Methyl 2-cyanoacrylate and Ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate are two of the most popular types of super glues.

In the liquid form, Super Glue contains monomers of molecules of a compound known as cyanoacrylate. Methyl 2-cyanoacrylate has a molecular weight of 111 while Ethyl 2-cyanoacrylate (C6H7NO2) has a molecular weight of 125.
Super Glue is a very thin watery liquid adhesive having a very low shearing strength. It is resistant to water and hardens very quickly compared to other strong adhesives. Cyanoacrylate forms a very weak bond with glass so it is not used to join silica. When it reacts with cotton or wool, an exothermic reaction takes place which may burn the material and cause a risk of injuries.

Super Glue has a very vast application area ranging from household to industrial. In normal household applications, Super Glue is used in joining appliances, woodwork, or furniture. In industry applications they are generally used with some compounds.

Epoxy
Epoxy is also known as polyepoxide. It is basically a thermosetting polymer created by a manual reaction of a resin and a hardener; where the resin is an epoxide and the hardener is a polyamine.

Epoxy resins are made by transforming the liquid polyether into solids through a reaction between bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin. Epoxy resin is a gel-liquid substance and is itself adhesive in nature.
Epoxy hardeners contain polyamine monomers like Triethylenetetramine (TETA). It is also a similar-looking gel agent like the resin.

Epoxy resin and epoxy hardener are mixed together to different ratios depending upon the needs of the user. The more the hardener is added, the more time it takes to set. Hardener makes the whole compound stronger. Epoxy is resistant to water and has an ability to cure underwater, that is, the reaction of the polyamide and the epoxide can take place even inside water.

Epoxy has a vast field of applications both industrial as well as household. In the household it is used in heavy appliances as well as low-level products and furniture. It is totally waterproof so it is used widely in surfboards and in ship industries.

Summary:

1.Super Glue is a thin, transparent liquid while epoxy is a hard gel-like agent.
2.Super Glue is directly used and is a single compound while epoxy is used by combining resin and a hardener according to the needs of the user.
3.Super Glue sets quickly and has a very low shearing strength while epoxy sets slowly and has good shear strength.
4.Super Glue can be easily removed using acetone or GBL while epoxy cannot be easily removed.

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