Super Glue + Cotton = Fire

Lynn LeFey · **on:** October 15, 2015, 05:45:34 PM

Somehow, up until yesterday, I had never heard of this.

As I'd managed to go through 45 years without knowing, I imagine there might be others that didn't know this either.

I don't know how much usefulness it has for survival, but if it has even a sliver of a chance of helping someone some day, I figure it's worth posting.

Saturating cotton with a cyanoacrylate (super glue) will cause spontaneous combustion within a few minutes.

NKlamerus · **Reply #1 on:** October 15, 2015, 05:53:34 PM

That's awesome!!! Makes me think twice about Super gluing my clothes sometimes.

I wonder if it'd be quicker with Insta-Set.

Science experiment time?

styx · **Reply #2 on:** October 15, 2015, 05:57:38 PM

yes to experiment time. that is a lot of glue but a cool thing to know

Grathr · **Reply #3 on:** October 15, 2015, 06:02:38 PM

Cool!

Now that I think about it, superglue might be a smart thing to have in a survival kit.

You can repair clothes, shoes and other equipment with it.
In an emergency you can glue a wound with it, and apparently make fire.

Have you tried it yourself?

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Lynn LeFey · **Reply #4 on:** October 15, 2015, 06:06:46 PM

I tried a small amount of glue on a Q-tip swab. It heated up, but not enough for combustion.

Strangely, I seem to be out of cotton balls at the moment.

ducttapetech · **Reply #5 on:** October 15, 2015, 06:34:52 PM

Quote from: Grathr on October 15, 2015, 06:02:38 PM

Cool!

Now that I think about it, superglue might be a smart thing to have in a survival kit.
You can repair clothes, shoes and other equipment with it.
In an emergency you can glue a wound with it, and apparently make fire.

Have you tried it yourself?

Sent from a device made from star dust using tapatalk

I have used gallons of super glue over the years closing wounds and cuts shut on myself. It's great for those times when you should go to the ER and get stitches but you are to hardheaded and use super glue instead.

That's us mobile.
Nate

NKlamerus · **Reply #6 on:** October 15, 2015, 06:42:02 PM

Agreed^^^

I carry it in my EDC pack but I carry the InstaSet just in my backpack.

I am also VERY PICKY when it comes to glue, and brands.

comis · **Reply #7 on:** October 16, 2015, 05:37:11 AM

How cool is that?

I wonder whether they will also catch on easily if use on tinder like feather sticks, or Vaseline cotton balls, etc.

Lynn LeFey · **Reply #8 on:** October 16, 2015, 05:49:29 AM

Quote from: comis on October 16, 2015, 05:37:11 AM

I wonder whether they will also catch on easily if use on tinder like feather sticks, or Vaseline cotton balls, etc.

Combustion temperature of Cotton is 760F (400C). Combustion temperature of wood is 190-260C.

So... presumably, yes, using wood of any kind would give a lower combustion temperature.

I'd be interested to see the results if someone tried this out.

Gerhard Gerber · **Reply #9 on:** October 16, 2015, 08:45:55 AM

Fascinating, guess how my fire will be lit this evening

Or try to at least.

In our heat even sealed superglue goes hard in not very long at all, I keep mine in the fridge, and if I could there'd be some in my first aid kit, tackle boxes......everywhere.

Also, locally at least, superglue used to be cheap, but that's no longer the case.....

Gerhard Gerber · **Reply #10 on:** October 19, 2015, 01:47:51 PM

Tried it, didn't work......

Syph007 · **Reply #11 on:** October 19, 2015, 02:34:36 PM

This is why the MSDS for cyanoacrylate says not to wear cotton/wool gloves or clothing when handling...

Its an exothermic reaction and preumably the high surface area of the cotton allows it to take in all the reaction heat and reach its combustion point.

Zed · **Reply #12 on:** October 19, 2015, 03:42:28 PM

Love super glue

that is soo cool lynn

derekmac · **Reply #13 on:** October 19, 2015, 06:16:51 PM

I keep forgetting to try this.

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gene stoner · **Reply #14 on:** October 20, 2015, 04:26:11 PM

I just got this 4 pack of single use super glue at the dollar store for my EDC and survival kit's. I may have to get more and do some testing.

Gerhard Gerber · **Reply #15 on:** October 20, 2015, 09:00:58 PM

To be honest, I couldn't watch the video at work, so I didn't know he used three freaking tubes of superglue!

Cotton wool and a considerable amount of glue from one tube does nothing.

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