Super glue has become an item that almost every household has in a drawer since its invention in World War II as a way of joining perspex together in aircraft canopies and its use in Vietnam as a quick treatment for wounded soldiers.
It would be handy to take with you when traveling to fix anything which may break while you are away.
But can you take super glue on a plane with you?
The Quick Answer: You can only take certain super glues on a plane if they are non-flammable. If that is the case super glue may be packed in your carry on as long as the container it is in is no larger than 3.4oz/100ml.
I will cover the full super glue rules in this article so you will know exactly what you can take with you.
Contents
Can you take super glue through airport security
There are no restrictions on taking non-flammable super glue through a security checkpoint at the airport apart from the size of the bottle that the super glue is in.
However, flammable super glue is not permitted on a plane at all.
The FAA state the following:
Some super glues and other household glues are not flammable and would be allowed in baggage. To see if they are flammable, check the product label or the manufacturer’s material safety data sheet (MSDS). When checking the MSDS, a “flash point” at or below 140° F (60° C) indicates it is a flammable liquid and may not be carried in airline baggage.
https://www.faa.gov/hazmat/packsafe/more_info/?hazmat=3
Since it is a liquid, super glue must be in a bottle no larger than 3.4oz/100ml. It must be taken out of your hand luggage and placed in your resealable see-through plastic bag along with your other liquids when passing through the airport security checkpoint.
The TSA offers a very good service on Twitter where you can ask a specific question about whether you can take something through the security checkpoint and they will respond quickly. You can also use a service on their website – TSA What Can I Bring?
This is an example response from the TSA to a passenger’s question regarding carrying super glue:
Can you take super glue in your carry on?
As stated above super glue can only be taken in your carry on bag and through a security checkpoint at the airport if it is non-flammable and the size of the bottle is no larger than 3.4oz/100ml.
Can you take super glue in your checked bags?
You can only pack super glue in your checked bag if it is a non-flammable type of super glue. Regular flammable super glue is not permitted in checked bags.
Can you take other types of glue on a plane?
Although most super glues are not allowed, many others such as some model glues, rubber cement, and industrial-strength glues and adhesives are flammable so they are not allowed in carry-on or checked baggage either.
However, some other household glues and nail glue are not flammable so they would be allowed in your baggage.
Make sure you check the product label or the manufacturer’s material safety data sheet to see if they are flammable or not. The important thing is the “flash point” which if it is at or below 140° F (60° C) indicates it is a flammable liquid so it cannot be carried in your baggage.
Summary
You can only take super glue on a plane if it is not flammable as flammable super glue is not permitted on a plane. If it is non-flammable then it can go in your carry on provided the bottle it is contained in is no larger than 3.4oz/100ml (which is unlikely as most bottles are only 10ml or less). It can be placed in your checked baggage without restriction.
I have been traveling around the world by air since the early 70s and living overseas too. I worked for British Airways for a number of years and I am also a private pilot. About Me
