Glass is one of the most challenging substrates to bond when it comes to hot melt and non-hot melt adhesives. Unlike other materials, glass does not have any load-bearing seams. Hence, you are most likely working on completing a project that must stand up to the challenges of the environment. The glass must have a bond that is invisible and flawless all the while.
Choosing the right adhesive plays a crucial role while bonding glass. The adhesive you choose will depend on whether you want to bond glass with a glass or to another substrate. The adhesive must create a water-tight bond that does not snap under multi-directional pressure for years to come.
Types Of Glass Bonding Adhesives
This glass glue guide from craft-art.com will help you choose the right adhesive for your glass bonding job. Continue reading to follow.
A. Hot-Melt Adhesives
- Hot Melt Glue Guns And Sticks
The hot melt gun is one of the most preferred glass adhesive tools that are used for applying hot melt glue to glass. The gun melts plastic glue with a built-in heating mechanism, and the trigger helps pour a small amount of hot melt glue precisely onto the glass.
The tool is very useful in situations where the focus is on cut-offs and the elimination of strings and trails. Hot melt guns are primarily used in narrow spaces during woodworking, bathroom tiling, packaging, and kitchen installations.
- Silicone Adhesives
A silicone sealant is a liquid adhesive that appears and feels like a gel. It is available in a wide range of forms such as electric-grade, multi-purpose, and high temperature. The application of a silicone adhesive can be done via commercial-grade extrusion devices, heavy-duty or crafting glue guns, and hand-held caulking tools.
A silicone adhesive is a perfect match for bonding glass since glass does not shrink r stretch as easily as wood or some other materials. The flexible nature of silicone lends itself perfectly to high-stress bonds within rigid glass applications. As one of the most powerful adhesives, silicone with its high flexibility and long curing time is a far better match for application on glass, car engines, and other solid but flexible applications.
The excellent weather-resistant, waterproof, and mildew-resistant properties of silicone make it very useful in the application of wood, plastic, and glass aquariums, window, and bathroom installations. The adhesive is excellent for glass and other substrates if you know which type of silicone adhesive to use.
- Acetoxy Silicones –
These adhesives contain acetic acid and cure rather quickly. Acetoxy silicones bond really well with a wide variety of standard substrates. While some acetoxy adhesives can damage electronics and prove corrosive in some applications, there are others that are biocompatible. Hence, they are used in the manufacture of medical devices.
- Neutral Curing Silicones –
These adhesives include oxime and alkoxy, which in turn release methyl ethyl ketoxime and alcohol during the curing process. Unlike acetoxy adhesives, they are non-corrosive and suitable for electronic applications.
B. Non-Hot Melt Adhesives For Glass Bonding
- Epoxy
An epoxy cure occurs after an exothermic reaction cross-links polymers. Changes made to the chemical composition, temperature, and other catalysts can adjust the properties of this non-hot melt adhesive and make it suitable for almost any application. Hence, epoxy glue is one of the most versatile glues for application on glass and a variety of other substrates.
Two-part epoxies are cured at a lower temperature as opposed to one-part epoxies. Two-part epoxies are superior as they offer stability, temperature resistance, and lesser curing time. Moreover, a two-part epoxy can be developed to be precise. So, they are also perfectly suitable for use in glass applications.
The highly stable adhesive provides resistance against harsh chemicals and extreme heat. Thus, it is an excellent solution for application in aerospace and medical equipment. Also, epoxy can be engineered to resist degradation caused by weather, oxygen, water, petroleum, lubricating oils, alcohol, salt solutions, and mild acids, etc.
- Super Glue
Cyanoacrylate, popularly known as super glue, lends itself for application on a wide variety of substrates. The non-melt adhesive is a perfect choice for application on the glass as it provides a durable, clear, and waterproof bond.
The glue is available with varying viscosity. As a result, it can serve a purpose in various situations. It can be used in a production line where the glue needs to be set in within seconds or within minutes. Super glue can be easily manipulated amidst a delicate installation.
One of the unique properties of super glue is that it can create bonds that are as fragile as the glass it is being bonded to. The glue has a rubbery or plasticized texture to it that exhibits a very flexible and long-lasting bond. It must be noted that super glue works best in tensile situations instead of compressive situations. So, one must avoid using super glue in high-impact situations and use it for delicate applications where clarity is a major criterion.
So, follow this guide and choose your glue wisely!
