Super glue bonds by reacting with moisture in the air to form a strong plastic, but this bond can be broken down using nail polish remover containing acetone or similar chemicals.
Super glue is the common name for cyanoacrylate adhesives, a family of strong, fast-acting adhesives derived from ethyl cyanoacrylate and related esters. The cyanoacrylate group in the monomer rapidly polymerizes in the presence of water to form long, strong chains. The video's core claim about moisture activation is accurate: exposure to normal levels of humidity in the air causes a thin skin to start to form within seconds, and when any amount of moisture is present, the molecules in the cyanoacrylate glue will react with the moisture to form tight chains in between the two surfaces in contact. The chemical mechanism involves anionic polymerization where the cyanoacrylate group in the monomer rapidly polymerizes in the presence of water to form long, strong chains, polymerizing rapidly at ambient temperature via an anionic mechanism in the presence of weak bases such as alcohol and water. Once cured, the cyanoacrylate transforms to a plastic state after curing.
Regarding strength, the video's claim about "tens of thousands of pounds" requires context. Tensile strengths reach up to 4,000 psi (depending on the material it is bonding), and many commercial-grade super glues achieve a tensile strength of up to 4,000 PSI. This means a one-inch square of properly cured super glue could theoretically support a weight of two tons. However, this is tensile strength (pulling straight apart); shear strength can exceed 1,500 PSI on non-porous materials like steel or aluminum, and cyanoacrylate is not very durable or tough—that is, it risks shattering if hit with a fast impact.
The nail polish remover removal method is well-documented. Acetone, commonly known as nail polish remover, can chemically dissolve the strong bonds without harming your skin. The mechanism: acetone has a similar polarity to various polymers and is able to weaken the hydrocarbon chains in the polymers and effectively break them down into their smaller component monomers; acetone dissolves cyanoacrylate adhesives by breaking polymer chains and softening the bond. The video's "three seconds" claim is exaggerated—the average cure time of cyanoacrylate adhesives is anywhere from 5 to 90 seconds for a fixture and from 8 to 24 hours for full curing, and removal typically takes minutes, not seconds. Important safety note: use pure acetone or a remover labeled '100% acetone' as many cosmetic removers are diluted or acetone-free and are much less effective.
Super glue bonds instantly by reacting with moisture in air to form strong plastic chains, but acetone-based removers can break these bonds.