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Per industry literature I found that mineral oil is used to loosen out "super glue" and aid in removal from skin. I am exploring the chemistry of this loosening and I am intrigued. Please help me find which option applies here:

  1. Does the mineral oil disturb the cohesive forces of the cured cyanoacrylate?
  2. Does the mineral oil interact with the oil on the skin to loosen the cured adhesive and thus break the bond between skin and cyanoacrylate?
  3. Does the mineral oil break the bond between the skin and cyanoacrylate by another mechanism?

Based on this answer, I am trying to find out if mineral oil will loosen the cured cyanoacrylate on a different substrate as well, namely PVC plastic. Please help!

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Does the mineral oil interact with the oil on the skin to loosen the cured adhesive and thus break the bond between skin and cyanoacrylate?

Yes, oil modifies the surface of skin rather than the cured polymer.

Often, adhesion of glued surfaces is limited by surface roughness more than chemical properties of glue and the surface. Dry skin is porous enough to stick to the cured polymer glue. Adding mineral oil helps to remove it by softening the skin surface and filling the pores.

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    $\begingroup$ Simplistic answer. Live skin is supplying material to break the bond. $\endgroup$
    – jimchmst
    Commented Sep 8 at 17:07
  • $\begingroup$ @jimchmst The question is about what happens if you don't wait long enough. Are you saying, mineral oil forces live skin to grow faster? $\endgroup$
    – Paul Kolk
    Commented Sep 8 at 17:26

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