ADHESIVES

There are two main types of adhesives:

1. Natural adhesives: include animal and vegetable based glues, naturally occurring resins such as gum Arabic.
2. Synthetic adhesives: include manufactured adhesives, such as epoxy resin, phenolic and formaldehyde resins and silicon based resins.

- The main advantages of using adhesives as a joining technique over any other method of joining are that most adhesives dry clear, they provide a specific join and they do not damage or change shape of components.

• CONTACT ADHESIVE:

Used with: wood, plastic and metal
Use: waterproof, ideal for plastic laminates
Strength: medium strength joint
Form: liquid form
Directions for use: apply a thin layer to both surfaces, leave to touch dry and then join them
Drying time: instant

•  PVA (POLY VINYL ACETATE):

Used with: wood and paper
Use:  widely used by wood workers in furniture construction
Strength: strong joint
Form: liquid form, dries clear
Directions for use: apply a thin layer to both surfaces and hold surfaces together
Drying time: 4 to 24 hours

•  SYNTHETIC RESIN:

Used with: wood
Use:  widely used by wood workers in furniture construction
Strength: strong joint
Form: powdered form to be mixed with water, dies tan coloured
Directions for use: 2 parts glue and 1 part water, put onto the joint area and held together
Drying time: 6 to 8 hours

•  EPOXY RESIN:

Used with: wood, plastic and metal
Use: waterproof, mixed with filler to bridge gaps
Strength: strong joint
Form: comes in 2 tubes: hardener and resin
Directions for use: equal amounts mixed and applied with a spreader, quickly held together
Drying time: 30 minutes to 6 hours

•  LIQUID SOLVENT CEMENT:

Used with: thermoplastics
Use: waterproof, used for modelling and temporary fixings
Strength: medium strength joint
Form: liquid form
Directions for use: apply glue to the joint and hold in place, glue dissolves surfaces
Drying time: 3 to 24 hours

• HOT GLUE STICK:

Used with: wood, plastic and metal
Use: waterproof, used for modelling and temporary fixings
Strength: weak joint
Form: solid stick of glue that turns to a liquid form
Directions for use: heated in a glue gun and applied to the joint
Drying time: dries on cooling

• CYANOCRYLATE:

Used with: wood, plastic and metal
Use: waterproof, used for DIY projects / minor breakages around the house
Strength: medium strength joint
Form: liquid form
Directions for use: applied to the joint and held until dry
Drying time: dries instantly

• UV CURING:

Used with: glass to metal and glass
Use: waterproof, safer than super glue, high translucency and stability
Strength: medium strength joint
Form: liquid form, will not bong until exposed to UV light
Directions for use: applied to the joint and held until dry
Drying time: dries instantly under a UV light source