Thread: Failing CA

Interesting thought Brendan.

I'm not 100% sure but it would seem possible - CA does become very brittle and I've found it to be susceptible to shock type movements (eg dropping something). Don't know about it failing because of age though.

Cheers,
Dave

Brendan,

I read way back about ca failures in a USA article but like you said is it rumour

I have also heard the rumors but the proof was not whether it was the application or the applicator that was at fault.

As with all finishes these two reasons are the main fault.

Have only had one bad batch of bargain shop CA and it failed immediately!

Have heard the same, but have yet to see it myself.

Have heard the same and had CA fail on me but not involved with woodwork.

Over the years I have seen and had Epoxy fail various situations. Similar story 10 year life span.

Like others have said, I have heard rumors, perhaps urban myth, but i will watch this thread with interest.

Essentially CA is a synthetic polymer, a plastic from the acrylic family (think clear plastic sheets). Considering this I would imagine CA would last a little longer than 10 years. The only situation where acrylic (and CA glue) would degrade is if it would be exposed to prolonged UV radiation (the sun, which is why polycarbonate is better for roofing).

I reckon it's a myth Brendan.

Myth? Sorta.

The thing with ethyl CA - the type most oft used in WW - is it doesn't stand up to moisture/humidity very well. Given certain conditions and enough time, it'll go cloudy and eventually fail.

High (90°Cish) temperatures can also cause it to break down.

However, isn't this true of most other glues - and often the timbers they're used on - as well? Perhaps not those specific factors, but they all have their own particular kryptonites.


Somewhere around here I have a lot of tech info & research on the stuff, but I'm too lazy to hunt it up.

I have had no problems with coatings or fillers, but yes I have had failures with glued joints in time. It is a brittle glue, thus if the wood moves, it can give way if there is insufficient bond area. All of the failures I have had were with my early segmental bowls where I had thin walls, failing at a number of joints, after 3-5 years.

Biggest problem I have with CA is that I fail to use it all before it goes off in the bottle.

Cliff,

Do you store it in a fridge? Up here in hot and humid Darwin it lasts a very long time when stored in one.

I have to agree with Cliff. So many tubes have gone off before they were used up.
I am now approaching the age where if it lasts 10 years it will most likely be ok.

Originally Posted by Cliff Rogers

Biggest problem I have with CA is that I fail to use it all before it goes off in the bottle.

I buy bunches of tiny one use tubes when on sale.

I would think even if one used PVA or any of the whiz bang, stronger than wood, glues, if the piece moved around much it would break beside the glue line. Cracked is cracked.