α‐Cyanoacrylate adhesive bond strengths with proteinaceous and nonproteinaceous substrates

The higher n‐alkyl α‐cyanoacrylate homologs had been previously found to wet, spread, and rapidly polymerize on tissue substrates whereas the lower homologs do not wet and polymerize slowly. The reverse effect is noted on nonproteinaceous substrates such as distilled water and saline solution. Tissue bonds were prepared and tested in vivo in rats. Bonds prepared with the higher n‐alkyl α‐cyanoacrylate homologs were found to be stronger than those prepared with the lower homologs. The data are in general accord with the wetting and spreading characteristics of the n‐alkyl α‐cyanoacrylate homologs. On aluminum surfaces, the opposite effect was noted. Bonds prepared with the lower homologs were stronger than those prepared with the higher homologs.