What glue is both plastic and skin-contact safe?. I need to glue some IEMs

The shells on my Etymotic MK-5's are coming apart, and they are sadly now discontinued.



Anyone have experience with something like this?

Would this do? https://www.amazon.com/Ceramic-Porc...safe+cyanoacrylate&qid=1722817019&sr=8-2&th=1

 

That will work but so will any superglue from the supermarket. Cyanoacrylate is used to close the skin in a lot of surgical procedures. Look for one used as first aid if it makes you feel better.

 

Technically completely unqualified to answer, so here goes ...

I would think that most glues, once full set and/or cured would be no more harmful than the materials they are joining.

Unable to see the image in the opening post so I don't know the problem. I'd add general advice:-

1. Not all glues will stick all plastics.

2. At least with decent resin and "super" glues, it either fails or is stuck for ever. Assuming it isn't a fail, you'll never get it apart again should you want to.

3. I'd rather go with a top-brand and/or industrial-grade adhesive. I used to find superglue often useless until I tried an industrial brand.

4. standard superglue is very runny, like water. Can be hard to control. Get it in places where you didn't want it, eg moving parts, you can be sure they'll never move again.

5. that very much includes skin. I'm sure you know the risks involved in using it at all.

6. superglue doesn't gap-fill. You can make it do so with, eg, sodium bicarbonate. Youtube has plenty of hints. nb: when they say it makes it set instantly, they mean it.

(superglue = Cyanoacrylate as per previous post. )

 

Im not a biomedical engineer, but have had pretty good success with silicone caulking. The clear 'kitchen and bath' stuff works pretty well.

Nowhere near the adhesive properties of cyanoacrylate, but functional and safe for many tasks.

I have tried Sugru - it's a mastic like silicone product that enjoyed some very aggressive advertising some years back. Great for a one time use, but the packages seem to dry out and expire really fast.

Similar to Silpoxy

 

Don't use Sugru. Listed as a skin irritant

 

If you have a random tube of superglue around, put a tiny dab on your arm and let it try. Don't worry, it'll fall off after a couple days. If your skin has any kind of reaction, then you'll know not to use that for your Etymotics.

 

That's a great test. Good idea @Armaegis.

I've never stuck myself to anything (YET) but I've had plenty of drops on my skin, and no ill effect.

(Oddly, one of my few allergies turned out to be Micropore surgical tape. The nurses said, not common, but it does happen and then they just use a different brand)

It is not impossible. machinists use superglue to attach components to a plate, eg, for lathe work. They separate it using heat. But one wouldn't use that much heat on plastic.

Also, I have a bottle of cyanoacrylate debonder. I didn't buy it to take things apart, I bought it just in case of stuck fingers: I'm sure I'll do it one day.

 

Many thanks to all for your valuable advice! I think I'll go with an adhesive in case I need to take them apart later

 

Just because it isn't superglue or epoxy resin does not mean it will come apart again.

 

what would you recommend in that case?

 

You require that taking apart should be possible? That is tough. I only have glues that I hope never will (even if that means something gets the last repair ever), or maybe or maybe stuff like hot glue which is probably not appropriate.

 

Use a tiny amount. Consider masking adjacent areas with masking tape to control the area of application.

Silicone is nice for this because it's flexible, meaning it can be cut with a razor blade or exacto knife.

Cleans up with isopropyl alcohol.

 

Oooh, nice idea. I should have thought of that. I had my mind on nasty, messy fixes like hot glue!

 

If you want something that is definitely skin safe, Herbie's Audio Lab recommended this at some point:

https://www.factor2.com/B_460_B_461_B_462_Secure_II_Medical_Adhesive_p/b-460.htm