How do adhesives (i.e superglue) not stick to their container?

Asked by: Sarah Abel

Answer

Superglue is based upon a cyano-acrylate monomer which requires moisture, usually in the form of water or some other active hydrogen bearing compound to polymerise. Superglue will not stick to the tube as the inside contains oxygen, in the form of air, but excludes water. Thus oxygen inhibits the process of polymerisation while water catalyses the reaction.

This explains why a thin layer of glue is ideal to bond two surfaces together rather than a thick layer of glue. A thin layer can easily obtain the moisture it needs to catalyse from the atmosphere, while a thick layer is unable to do so.

This also explains why spilt glue adheres so well to your skin; skin being warm and moist makes an ideal substrate.
Answered by: David Latchman, B.Sc. Physics, University of the West Indies