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The March 2015 update of Apple's 13" MacBook Pro Retina Display, model A1502, features fifth-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 processors and introduces the Force Touch trackpad.

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MacBook Pro battery glue toxicity?

This is something I haven’t really seen discussed anywhere. Does anyone know the composition of the glue used by Apple (specifically in MacBook Pros)? And if so, how toxic it is? Both of my MacBooks operate within normal temperature ranges, but occasionally they smell strange. Sometimes I wonder if it’s the glue used to hold the batteries. If so, is this a health risk?

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Good question!

I would contact 3M as the adhesives Apple uses is by them.

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I saw you mentioned in another thread that Apple tends to use hot glue for the batteries. Do you think that's true for the 2015 models as well? If so, I had read that hot melt isn't really toxic at all, even when heated.

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@guygeneric - I don't remembering saying hot glue in the newer MacBook or MacBook pro's to hold the batteries. They do use hot glue across the systems for different things. As an example to encapsulate sensitive areas on the logic board or to hold wires in place.

The batteries Apple uses leverage more of what I would call hot adhesive using a special applicator which paints the battery with a thin coat of tacky adhesive then places a cover sheet to prevent it being damaged until the assembly process. This is done to reduce the manufacturing process time. Hot adhesives and glues require less time to cure. Third parties might use double stick tape to achieve the same.

As far as toxicity I have never heard of any risks in normal use. Exposing the system to overheat or burn will release gases which could be toxic! It makes no difference which adhesive and the release of the gases within the battery.

Think of it this way a car battery is safe! But the sulfuric acid held within it is harmful! So don't damage it or let the battery run down as you run the risk of hydrogen gas buildup which can explode with a charging cable spark.

Bottomline be careful! If you smell something I would get it checked out as you could have a component failure or something is melting from heat.

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