# Are there temporary adhesives that intentionally lose strength with time

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-temporary-adhesives-that-intentionally-lose-strength-with-time/764022>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 26, 2016, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-temporary-adhesives-that-intentionally-lose-strength-with-time/764022 "2016-08-26T16:22:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\
**Post date:** [August 30, 2016, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-temporary-adhesives-that-intentionally-lose-strength-with-time/764022/21 "2016-08-30T21:03:15Z")

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> [@Cartoonacy](#):
>
> I can think of cases in which such an adhesive would be useful – for example, if you’re doing engraving or sculpting on an object that needs to be held immobile, but has such an odd shape that it can’t be clamped down – but I don’t know of any glue that fits the bill (other than the aforementioned Spider-Man’s web or Felix & Oscar’s barnacle glue).

Super glue will do the job, it can be removed with a solvent. Epoxy can be softened with heat to do the same thing. Many other glues have those options where a specific time until release isn’t needed. There are also numerous clamping systems for odd shaped objects like that including vacuum holders.

I can think of a number of prank uses for a time release glue though.

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**Author:** ![brossa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brossa/32/3040_2.png) [@brossa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brossa)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2016, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-there-temporary-adhesives-that-intentionally-lose-strength-with-time/764022/22 "2016-08-31T03:55:37Z")

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I have heard, but cannot personally confirm, that the addition of alcohol to hide glue will cause the glue to become brittle and lead to breakdown of the joint. This was in the context of a warning not to apply shellac over a joint glued with hide glue. Hide glue also softens with heat, like ‘hot glue’ does.

I’ll add to the other voices asking for more specifics. It’s one thing to want a lid to stay put under vibration or against gravity until you take a wrench or solvent to it later; it’s another thing to want a watertight seal that holds an aquarium together for a week before it spontaneously decomposes and floods your enemy’s rec room, or a time capsule that resists all efforts to open it, but just for a week.

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