Abstract

The Effect of Cyanoacrylate on the Setting Time and Adhesive Strength of a Nitrocellulose Based Liquid Bandage: A Proof of Principle Study

 

Liquid bandages are more advantageous than traditional band-aids because they maintain good moisture balance, keep bacteria and debris out, and reduce pain. However, the long setting and low adhesive strength need to be improved. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of cyanoacrylate (Starbond) concentration on setting time and adhesive strength of a nitrocellulose-based liquid bandage (CVS). The setting time experiments were conducted with the following volume percent concentrations of cyanoacrylate glue: 0%, 25%, 33.33%, 50%, 66.67%, and 100%, on three different substrates, i.e., porcelain surface, aluminum foil, and porcine skin. Two different methods (eye strap and hex nut) were employed for evaluating adhesive strength of the following formulations: 0%, 33.33%, 50%, and 100% cyanoacrylate glue. Each formulation was applied between an eye strap and porcelain surface as well as in between two hex nuts, and the breaking force (adhesive strength) was measured after twelve hours of curing with spring scales and a digital luggage scale. Results showed that the mixtures of cyanoacrylate glue and liquid bandage set significantly faster than pure cyanoacrylate glue or liquid bandage. It is very interesting to observe that the setting time on porcine skin was much shorter as compared to the other substrates. The addition of cyanoacrylate glue appeared to increase the adhesive strength of liquid bandage. The preliminary findings from this study indicated that a faster setting and a more adhesive liquid bandage could be further developed for clinical use.