502 glue is a trade name for general-purpose cyanoacrylate instant glue, the same family sold as super glue. The name does not fix a grade, so buy on the data sheet: viscosity, cure speed, fill weight, pack format, shelf life and documents. For import and retail, the main risks are blocked or leaking packs, short fill, stock that has aged in transit, and labels that do not meet the destination market. GlueMFG lists Super Glue / 502 cards and bottles; specs per product are confirmed by inquiry.
Importers, hardware wholesalers and dollar-store buyers often meet “502” on supplier quotes from China, next to “super glue” and “instant glue”. Treating the number as a specification leads to mixed batches, complaints about glue that will not come out of the nozzle, and labels that a customs or retail inspector rejects. This guide covers what the name means, the common pack formats, simple incoming QC checks, and the labels, documents and shipping questions to settle before the order. For grade choice on assembly lines, see cyanoacrylate glue grades.
What “502” Means When You Buy Instant Glue
| Term on the quote | What it usually means | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| 502 glue | General-purpose cyanoacrylate instant glue, usually ethyl-based liquid | Viscosity, cure speed, fill weight, shelf life |
| Super glue / instant glue | The same chemical family under a retail name | Same data as above; compare TDS, not the name |
| Gel super glue | Thickened cyanoacrylate that does not run on vertical faces | Gel or liquid, nozzle type, open time |
| Industrial / bulk CA | Larger bottles or drums for lines and repacking | Grade family, packing, hazard class |
| “Acrylic” or “universal” on the card | Marketing wording that may not describe the chemistry | Actual chemistry on the SDS, Section 3 |
Do not compare 502 quotes on price per card alone. Two cards that look the same can hold different fill weights and grades; ask for the fill weight in grams and the TDS for every quoted item.
Retail Pack Formats: Cards, Tubes and Bottles
- Tubes on blister cards: small aluminium tubes, single or multi-piece, for hardware, convenience and dollar-store channels. Confirm fill weight per tube, pieces per card and hanging-hole type.
- Small bottles: plastic bottles with a fine nozzle and cap suit repeat use and workshops. Ask how the nozzle resists clogging and whether a spare cap or pin is included.
- Display and inner boxes: counter displays and inner boxes decide how the product reaches the shelf. Agree cards per inner, inners per carton and carton size before artwork.
- Private label: card artwork, language and barcode belong to the buyer’s brief. See OEM adhesive packaging options and home repair kit private label.
- Bulk for repacking: buyers who fill locally need drums or large bottles instead. See bulk super glue packaging.
Incoming QC Checks for 502 Glue
- Flow and nozzle: open a sample of packs from each batch; glue should flow in controlled drops, not jam or squirt.
- Fill weight: weigh a sample of packs against the agreed fill weight, with an agreed tolerance written in the purchase order.
- Leaks and seals: check tubes for split crimps and pinholes, and bottles for weeping caps. A leaking pack can glue a whole card shut.
- Bond check: a drop between two test pieces should fixture quickly. Glue that has thickened or is slow to grab may have aged in heat.
- Codes and retained samples: match batch and date codes to the packing list and keep retained samples from each batch. Storage advice is in adhesive storage and shelf life.
Labels, SDS and Shipping
- Hazard labelling: cyanoacrylate labels usually need the destination market’s hazard pictograms and warnings. In the EU, CLP labelling for cyanoacrylate adhesives includes the EUH202 statement that the glue bonds skin and eyes in seconds. Confirm the full label content with your compliance adviser.
- SDS: ask for an SDS in the destination format and language for each product. See super glue SDS.
- Transport classification: the classification for small retail packs and for bulk can differ, and forwarders ask before booking. See super glue sea freight hazard classification.
- Heat in transit: long, hot sea legs age instant glue. Plan routing and season, and agree minimum remaining shelf life at arrival.
RFQ Checklist for 502 Glue
- Target market, sales channel and label language.
- Product type: liquid or gel, general or specific use; TDS for each quoted item.
- Pack format: tube or bottle, fill weight in grams, pieces per card, card size and hanging hole.
- Inner box and carton counts, carton marks and barcode needs.
- Shelf life, date and batch coding, minimum remaining shelf life at arrival.
- Documents: SDS in market format, transport classification, any test reports the retailer asks for.
- Quantity, destination and target price for sample, trial and container orders.
What GlueMFG Can Support Around This Topic
GLE-031 502 glue card
Listed 502 instant glue on cards. Fill weight, card layout and private-label artwork are confirmed by inquiry.
GLE-032 Quick drying super glue
Listed quick-drying super glue on cards. Grade data, shelf life and SDS are confirmed by inquiry.
GLE-036 Instant glue
Listed instant glue in small packs. Pack counts, MOQ and transport class are confirmed by inquiry.
Related GlueMFG Resources
- Cyanoacrylate Glue Grades for Assembly Lines
- Bulk Super Glue Packaging: 20 kg to 1000 kg
- OEM Adhesive Packaging Options
- Super Glue Sea Freight Hazard Classification
- Super glue manufacturer
FAQ
What is 502 glue?
502 is the common trade name, especially in China, for general-purpose cyanoacrylate instant glue, the same product family often sold as super glue. It is usually an ethyl cyanoacrylate liquid in a small bottle or tube. The name does not define a grade, so viscosity, cure speed, pack and documents still have to be confirmed for each product.
Is 502 glue the same as super glue?
In most markets, yes: both names describe cyanoacrylate instant adhesive. Products sold under either name can differ in viscosity, gel or liquid form, fill weight, bottle or tube pack and shelf life, so compare the data sheets rather than the name on the card.
Which pack formats are common for 502 glue?
Common retail formats are small aluminium tubes on blister cards, small plastic bottles with a fine nozzle, multi-tube cards and display boxes, plus larger bottles for workshops. Fill weight, pieces per card, cards per inner box and cartons per pallet are set per order and confirmed by inquiry.
What should I check when 502 glue arrives?
Check fill weight on a sample of packs, that nozzles flow and are not blocked, that tubes and bottles do not leak, that a drop still bonds quickly on a test piece, and that batch or date codes match the shipping documents. Keep retained samples from each batch.
Does GlueMFG supply 502 glue for private label?
GlueMFG lists many Super Glue / 502 products in cards and bottles, for example GLE-031, GLE-032 and GLE-036. Fill weights, card layout, private-label artwork, shelf life, SDS and MOQ are confirmed by inquiry: send the target market, pack format, quantity and label language.