How does glue for mice set? - briefly
The adhesive cures as its solvent evaporates, causing the polymer matrix to solidify and bond to the mouse’s fur and skin within seconds to a few minutes, depending on humidity and temperature.
How does glue for mice set? - in detail
The adhesive used to immobilize rodents is a polymer‑based formulation that hardens through a chemical cross‑linking reaction. After the liquid is applied to the animal’s fur or skin, the following mechanisms occur:
- Solvent evaporation removes the carrier medium, increasing the concentration of reactive monomers.
- Initiators embedded in the mixture generate free radicals when exposed to ambient oxygen or a mild catalyst.
- Free radicals trigger polymerization of acrylic or cyanoacrylate monomers, creating a three‑dimensional network.
- The network formation expels residual moisture, causing the layer to transition from tacky to rigid.
Curing time depends on ambient temperature, relative humidity, and the thickness of the applied layer. At 22 °C and 50 % humidity, a thin coating (approximately 0.2 mm) reaches full rigidity within 30–45 seconds. Thicker applications may require 2–3 minutes for complete hardening. Elevated temperatures accelerate the reaction, while high humidity can delay solvent loss and extend the setting period.
Key factors influencing the process:
- Temperature: Each 10 °C increase roughly halves the curing duration.
- Humidity: Moisture slows solvent evaporation; low humidity promotes faster hardening.
- Layer thickness: Greater mass of adhesive prolongs diffusion of oxygen and heat, lengthening polymerization.
- Catalyst concentration: Higher initiator levels raise the rate of radical generation, shortening setting time.
Safety considerations include avoiding contact with eyes and preventing ingestion. Once hardened, the adhesive can be removed mechanically or with a solvent specifically designed to break the polymer bonds without harming tissue.
In summary, the glue solidifies through solvent loss and radical‑driven polymerization, with environmental conditions and formulation parameters dictating the exact timeline and final mechanical properties.