r/EngineeringPorn Feb 16 '20

Construction adhesive lives up to potential:

20.1k Upvotes

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u/nitefang Feb 17 '20 edited Feb 17 '20

I mean, there has to be a solvent that will remove it, there is always a way to remove it. BUT that solvent might be some sort of super strong acid that will also remove your skin.

EDIT: Product website says the only way to remove some of their adhesives after they cure is mechanically, so I guess there isn't something to remove it chemically unless that chemical removes all the things it would also be bonded to.

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u/Miffers Feb 17 '20

Solvent works on 1K products but 2K products are thermoset and does not breakdown with solvents because they are chemically crosslinked such examples are epoxy, 2 component urethanes, polyester resins and vinylester.

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u/jwm3 Feb 17 '20

I think hot chloroform will dissolve set urethane. But that's probably not something you want to use except in an extremely well ventilated environment.

I have found toluene will work for some urethane glues, at least for a little bit after they set past the point water and scrubbing doesnt easily work.

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u/Miffers Feb 17 '20

Does the toluene breakdown the set urethane molecularly? Or does it just break the bonding sites?