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Name: Allison
Status: student
Grade: 6-8
Location: CT
Country: USA
Date: Fall 2011
Question:
Why is super glue used to bond skin? How do adhesives bond to skin?


Replies:
"Super Glue" bonds to skin and/or wound because the glue polymerizes when in contact with water. This increases the molecular weight of the low viscosity monomer (cyanoacrylate) to very large values and acts as a bond. This provides the same function as "stitches". However, after the cut/wound has healed sufficiently the "Super Glue" will de-polymerizes and dissolves in warm water. This allows "ragged" wounds to heal with few (if any) sutures. This reduces the amount of scar formation.

Vince Calder

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