Cyanoacrylate Adhesives for Automotive Applications

Cyanoacrylates—also referred to as instant adhesives or power glues—are single component adhesives that cure rapidly when exposed to moisture on bonding surfaces or in the surrounding atmosphere. Their ease of application and ability to adhere to a broad selection of materials make them suitable for use in a variety of industrial and household applications. In particular, Industrial Krazy Glue^™—the diverse line of cyanoacrylate products manufactured and marketed by Toagosei America under the brand Aron Alpha^®—serves a wide range of industrial and commercial functions, including in the automotive industry.

Keep reading to learn more about cyanoacrylate automotive adhesives and their numerous applications.

Why Are Cyanoacrylates Great for Automotive Applications?

Cyanoacrylates have numerous properties that make them an excellent automotive plastic adhesive, including:

• Ease of Use and Removal: Compared to two-part adhesives or adhesives that require additional curing agents or catalysts, cyanoacrylates are much easier to apply and set. These qualities allow them to accommodate use in automated dispensing systems or by manual hand application from the bottle. Additionally, they are easily removed by acetone-based products like nail polish removers.
• Fast Cure and Set Times: As long as there is a trace of water present to initiate the curing process, cyanoacrylates cure and set rapidly at room temperature.
• High Bond Strength: These adhesives demonstrate high bond strength in both shear and tensile modes.
• Small Environmental Footprint: The absence of solvents in cyanoacrylates makes them more environmentally friendly than other adhesives.
• Wide Availability and Applicability: Cyanoacrylates are available in a variety of viscosities, ranging from thin liquids to thixotropic no run gels. They bond well with various materials such as leather, plastics, metals, and glass laminates, and the use of primers allows them to work with difficult-to-bond materials such as polyolefin and elastomers.

Cyanoacrylates’ Most Compatible Materials

Another reason cyanoacrylates make a great automotive adhesive glue is that they are suitable for use with a variety of materials commonly used in automotive manufacturing, such as plastics, metals, composites, and natural materials. Just a few of the materials cyanoacrylates are compatible with include:

• Plastics: ABS, Acrylic, EPDM, Nylon, Phenolic, Polycarbonate, Polyethylene, Polypropylene, Polystyrene, and PVC
• Metals: Aluminum, Steel, Powder Coated Steel, and Zinc
• Composites: Carbon Fiber, Ferrite, Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP), Glass Laminate, and Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP)
• Natural Materials: Leather and Wood

Common Applications of Cyanoacrylates in the Automotive Industry

Cyanoacrylates have a variety of applications as automotive adhesives, from the assembly of exterior and interior components to critical engine parts. Key applications include:

Exterior Applications

Cyanoacrylate automotive adhesives have many applications on vehicle exteriors, including:

Interior Applications

Cyanoacrylates also play an important role in the interior of a vehicle by helping secure:

Under-the-Hood/Engine Applications

Cyanoacrylate glues can also be used under the hood to secure a wide range of components, such as:

• Anti-Vibration Motor Mounts
• Gaskets
• Air/Fuel/Transmission Hose and Clamp Assemblies

Electronic & Sensor Components

Common electrical applications for cyanoacrylate automotive adhesive glue include:

• Wire Harnesses
• Automotive Sensors
• Encapsulation and Sealing of Electronic Components

When Are Cyanoacrylates Not the Best Fit?

Despite their many advantages, cyanoacrylates are not suitable for use in every automotive assembly. Some of the limitations of these adhesives include the inability to bridge large gaps between substrates, a comparably lower solvent and chemical resistance, and risk of stress cracking when it comes to plastic substrates (as the adhesives cure and harden). Before choosing an automotive adhesive, consult your adhesive solutions provider to determine if cyanoacrylates are a good fit for your intended application.

FAQs About Cyanoacrylate Automotive Adhesives

See some commonly asked questions regarding cyanoacrylate automotive adhesives below:

Are Cyanoacrylates Safe for Vehicle Interiors?

Yes! Cyanoacrylates are considered safe for use in vehicle interiors. They are commonly used for trims, upholstery, hand brake covers, and more due to their fast-drying capabilities and material versatility.

Can Aron Alpha Adhesives be Used in Automated Assembly Lines?

Yes, our adhesives can be used in automated assembly lines and dispensing systems because they are quick drying and do not require additional curing agents.

What’s the Temperature Resistance of Cyanoacrylates?

One of the reasons cyanoacrylates make such great automotive adhesives is their excellent temperature resistance. Cyanoacrylates can be used over a wide temperature range from -40^°F to +250^°F.

High-Performance Cyanoacrylate Adhesive Solutions from Aron Alpha

Due to their numerous advantageous properties, including their easy application, high heat resistance, and fast set time, cyanoacrylate automotive adhesives find application in a large range of vehicle systems. If you’re in the market for high-performance cyanoacrylate solutions for industrial and commercial use cases, look no further than Aron Alpha. As one of the original producers of instant adhesives, we are an industry leader with reliable industrial adhesive solutions to every customer.

For additional information about our cyanoacrylate solutions for automotive applications, contact us today to request more information about our products.

To learn more about choosing the right cyanoacrylates for your needs, visit these resources:

• Selecting the Right Instant Adhesive for Your Manufacturing Process
• How Cyanoacrylate Adhesives Work and Their Industrial Applications
• Comparing Cyanoacrylate, Epoxy, and Resin Adhesives
• 5 Common Cyanoacrylate Instant Adhesive Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)