"thermochemical reaction?" Topic

A mate was flocking some bases with normal gauge master noch grass flock using super glue and it started giving off a white smoke. The base was coated with PVA glue and a flock. Which of course alarmed him. This is the normal method he has used to no previous effect. Any ideas what might be going on here?

Yes I can't understand why he's using super glue for this purpose.

Superglue is exothermic when it cures, meaning it generates heat. For most hobby applications the amount used is usually so small this is not noticed. In larger quantities, particularly if using an accelerator, enough heat can be generated to cause burns to the skin. Sometimes you can observe this if you are using superglue as a filler, the area you are working on will get warm.

Thanks IHG I'll pass this info on. PVA glue is fine for static grass application. I'm always very wary of superglue. I know someone who tried to open a bottle using his teeth! Mind you it was probably the following visit to the hospital which set him on the path to become a Doctor!

Hello,

the white cover is a chemical reaction of the fumes of the super glue. It is at the plastic parts of a used tube of super glue, too. If you put tin soldiers after glueing in a plastic box, þhere will be the white chemical fall out of the super glue anywhere on the miniatures. It is just the gasing of the drying super glue.

Sebastian

Cyanoacrylate glues (super glue) cure with moisture. So if the PVA was not quite entirely dry itself, that would accelerate the cure and increase the heat given off, possibly to the point of melting or smoldering of the fine plastic fibers of the static grass. CA can also cure extremely rapidly in contact with fabric like cotton, which may cause smoking as the fabric heats and begins to smolder.

Interesting. My mate did say he was rushing to get his minis based for our game so yes the PVA was not dry. Anyhow he was a little worried his minis might self combust at some later stage but a least this seems not to be a possibility so he can get a good nights sleep.