Characteristics of reactive synthetic glues
Cyanoacrylate
| Applications |
• best used for rapidly bonding small wood and nonwood workpieces.
• not as effective when bonding highly porous materials or large surface areas.
• sensitive to joint surface conditions like pH, moisture and grime. |
| Availability/ using |
Ready to use |
| Typical working time # |
30 sec to 5 mins, depending on volume of glue applied |
| Clamp time # |
2 sec to 4 hrs |
| Cured working properties |
• hard to very hard;
• can be brittle;
• machines and sands well;
• resists some stains and finishes. |
| Cured properties |
• very strong and rigid;
• fair durability (when used to bond small surface areas). |
| Longterm properties |
• good moisture and heat resistance;
• poor solvent resistance and shock resistance;
• yellows and may degrade with exposure to UV light. |
# depending on glue formula, moisture content of workpieces, working temperature, atmospheric humidity etc
Epoxy
| Applications |
• waterproof exterior timber;
• marine wood bonding;
• bent laminating and veneering;
• sealing;
• topcoating;
• casting;
• embedding. |
| Availability/
using |
• 2 part (resin and hardener);
• can be coloured with specialty epoxy tints. |
| Typical working time # |
2 mins to 2 hrs plus |
| Clamp time # |
4 mins to 48 hrs |
| Cured working properties |
• hard;
• can be cut with hand tools if warmed;
• machines and sands well; doesn't dull cutting edges as quickly as urea resin glue;
• resists stains and finishes |
| Cured properties |
• excellent combination of strength, rigidity, creep resistance and durability. |
| Longterm properties |
• waterproof;
• can be weakened, broken down by some solvents;
• fair to adequate heat resistance;
• superior shock resistance;
• may gradually degrade if exposed to UV light. |
# depending on glue formula, moisture content of workpieces, working temperature, atmospheric humidity etc
Polyurethane
| Applications |
• water-resistant exterior wood bonding;
• laminating and veneering;
• bonding nonwood materials;
• develops full strength only in well-fit, tightly clamped joints;
• modern formulas cure faster than the older ones. |
| Availability/ using |
• ready to use;
• work can be moistened before applications to speed hardening;
• to prolong shelf life, squeeze air out of bottle, keep tightly capped and keep away from moisture and humidity. |
| Typical working time # |
10 to 40 mins |
| Clamp time # |
45 mins to 10 hrs |
| Cured working properties |
• cured foamout is soft and cuts easily with hand tools;
• machines and sands well;
• compatible with most stains and finishes |
| Cured properties |
• good strength, rigidity, creep resistance and durability;
• fills gaps but only with foamed glue (which has no structural strength). |
| Longterm properties |
• excellent moisture, solvent and shock resistance;
• superior heat resistance;
• not completely waterproof. |
# depending on glue formula, moisture content of workpieces, working temperature, atmospheric humidity etc
Urea resin glue (1 part)
| Applications |
• exterior wood bonding;
• bent laminating and veneering;
• pressing plastic laminate;
• one-part ureas tend to be easier and less hazardous to use than two-part ureas. |
| Availability/ using |
• mix powder with water;
• can be coloured with dyes etc;
• can be mixed with PVA. |
| Typical working time # |
15 to 35 mins |
| Clamp time # |
4 to 10 hrs |
| Cured working properties |
• very hard;
• machines and sands well but dulls cutting edges quickly;
• resists stains and finishes |
| Cured properties |
• very strong, rigid and creep resistant;
• good durability. |
| Longterm properties |
• fair to good shock resistance;
• good heat resistance;
• can have excellent solvent resistance, depending on formula;
• low-grade formulas may craze, become brittle with age. |
# depending on glue formula, moisture content of workpieces,
working temperature, atmospheric humidity etc
Urea resin glue (2 part)
| Applications |
• exterior wood bonding;
• bent laminating and veneering;
• pressing plastic laminate;
• two-part ureas have better performance and cured properties than one part. |
| Availability/
using |
• two parts (liquid resin and powdered catalyst);
• can be coloured with dyes etc;
• can be mixed with PVA. |
| Typical working time # |
15 to 35 mins |
| Clamp time # |
4 to 10 hrs |
| Cured
working properties |
• very hard;
• machines and sands well but dulls cutting edges quickly;
• resists stains and finishes |
| Cured properties |
• very strong, rigid and creep resistant;
• good durability;
• moderate gap-filling ability. |
| Longterm properties |
• fair to good shock resistance;
• good heat resistance;
• excellent solvent resistance, depending on formula;
• low-grade formulas may craze, become brittle with age (especially in thick bond layers) |
# depending on glue formula, moisture content of workpieces,
working temperature, atmospheric humidity etc
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