The composition and characteristics of rubber glue, varieties and an overview of popular brands
It's no secret that a lot of building materials and tools are needed to carry out repair work. Often people use rubber adhesive for bathroom tiles or new hardwood floors. However, before using the rubber adhesive, you should understand its characteristics and rules of use.
What are the solvents and fillers used
Before using the glue, it is necessary to get acquainted in more detail with the components from which it is made.
Chlorine compounds
Most rubber compounds contain chlorine-containing compounds.Manufacturers try to add a minimum amount of these components, since they are characterized by a high level of toxicity. Therefore, when choosing an adhesive for further work, you should familiarize yourself with its composition and make sure that it does not contain a lot of chlorine-containing compounds.
Eticelate with nephras
Many adhesive liquids are made with the addition of nefras and ethyl acetate. This chemical compound improves the quality of the mixture and increases its adhesion. Therefore, experts recommend using glue, which contains petroleum products mixed with acetic acid.
Latex with water content
Latex is added to almost all adhesives. However, this element is added to cheap rubber glue not in pure form, but with water. Adding liquid to the latex negatively affects the adhesive properties of the product and makes the connection less reliable. For this reason, such an applied rubber mixture sometimes adheres less well to the surface.
Resin and polystorol
In adhesives, which are characterized by increased strength, polystyrene with resin is often added. Therefore, in order to glue surfaces more reliably, it is recommended to use such means. However, buying glue with too much polystyrene and resin is not worth it. A large amount of these components negatively affects the elasticity of the joint.
Sulphur, amines and metal oxides
Adhesive compounding companies often add metal oxides, amines, and sulfur to them. It is thanks to these substances that the process of vulcanization takes place, during which plastic rubber turns into rubber.The amount of additives directly depends on the amount of rubber contained in the glue.
Consistency stabilizers
Some inexpensive adhesives will gel over time and bond less well. Most often, this problem appears if there are no consistency stabilizers in the composition of the product. These include diethylamine or ethanol. These components maintain the liquid consistency of the adhesive.
The main properties of rubber glue
Rubber-based adhesives have certain properties that you should become familiar with before using them:
- Water resistance. Rubber glue is resistant to high humidity and is therefore often used to repair boats, shoes and even wetsuits.
- Strength. It is a very durable product that withstands aggressive conditions.
- Fast drying speed. The applied glue hardens completely in 24 hours.
Varieties and their characteristics
There are six main types of rubber cement, each with its own distinctive characteristics.
natural rubber
Expensive adhesives are made on the basis of natural rubber. It is a high viscosity white mortar used to bond most materials. The process of hardening such mixtures is carried out due to the solvents contained in the composition and the evaporation of excess liquid.
Natural rubber compounds are considered versatile as they are suitable for working on flat and porous surfaces.
Chloroprene
Some people use adhesives made from synthetic rubber rather than natural rubber. Particularly popular are products in the manufacture of which chloroprene microelements were used. Calcium, silicate, silicon dioxide and clay are used as additional additives to this rubber.
Made of nitrile butadiene rubber
Adhesive mixtures, in the manufacture of which nitrile butadiene rubber is used, are devoid of most of the disadvantages of chloroprene fluids. Experts advise using such an adhesive for joining polyvinyl chloride materials. The advantages of this glue include its high level of strength, resistance to temperature extremes and high humidity.
With silicone rubber
The adhesive mixture is composed of sulfur and piperonyl butoxide, necessary for vulcanization. In addition, thanks to these components, the applied mixture is resistant to moisture and low temperatures.
Silicone rubber adhesives are used to bond rubber, plastic and glass surfaces.
Synthetic styrene-butadiene
These viscous fluids are made from styrene-butadiene rubbers mixed with gasoline and hydrocarbons. Some formulations are also mixed with plasticizers, which are used to increase adhesion and adhesion to surfaces. Most often, styrene glue is used in the furniture industry or for tire repair.
Two-component polyurethane
Two-component products are made from hardeners and polyester-like compounds. A characteristic of these adhesive liquids is that they dry quickly. Full hardening occurs half an hour after applying the glue to the surface. Also, the advantages include water resistance and resistance to temperature changes.
Review of popular brands
There are eleven popular manufacturers of rubber compounds, whose products are most often used.
rubber cement
It is a high quality compound based on natural rubber mixed with solvents.Rubber cement is most often used for bonding elastic products. After drying, the glue layer resembles rubber in its consistency.
It is resistant to high temperatures and does not lose its elasticity in conditions of high humidity.
4508
Those interested in waterproofing products should check out 4508. It is used in the manufacture of rubber products. 4508 does not lose its properties when in contact with water, and therefore can be used when repairing wetsuits or inflatable boats for fishing. Among the disadvantages of the fund is the fact that it quickly ignites if it is near a fire.
88 CA
It is a versatile adhesive that is used to bond metal, wood, glass, concrete, fabric and plastic surfaces. 88 CA is resistant to temperature changes, so it can be used in temperatures ranging from minus fifty to plus sixty degrees. Store 88 CA in dark rooms, away from children.
Loctite
It is a one-component adhesive mixture that only begins to harden at room temperature. Therefore, experts recommend using Loctite only indoors. Suitable for bonding wood, metal, plastic and rubber surfaces. The advantage of Loctite is that it hardens in 10 to 15 seconds after use.
"Gum"
Fans of elastic products should pay attention to "Gummi". It is used in the repair and manufacture of durable fabric or rubber products. "Gummi" is also suitable for gluing cardboard, paper, wood and natural leather. Among the advantages of glue are resistance to low temperatures and high humidity.
"Radical"
People who are going to repair a wetsuit should use Radical. It is ideal for restoring the water supply as it is highly resistant to moisture.
The radical can be used for bonding ceramic, concrete, fabric, plastic, metal and wood products.
"Brand A"
This tool is used when making rubber or leather shoes, bicycle inner tubes and tires. “Grade A” contains components that exhibit increased adhesion to glass, leather, wood, rubber, paper and foam rubber. Resistant to low temperatures and high humidity values. Thanks to this, it is used both indoors and outdoors.
88n
It is a yellowish homogeneous mass in which there are no inclusions or foreign lumps. 88n is recommended for bonding materials such as plastic, leather, rubber, wood, ceramics, glass, porcelain and paper. The mixture hardens within ten hours of application. During long-term storage, a little sediment may appear in the liquid, but this does not affect the properties of the glue.
GOST 2199-78
According to GOST, glues based on natural or synthetic rubber can be used in several areas of activity. They are used in the manufacture of leather furniture or shoes. Additionally, glue is often used to make rubber products that often come into contact with water.
Plasti Dip
Such a product is produced on the basis of an aqueous emulsion containing bitumen-type polymers. Plasti Dip is used to glue thin rubber materials, paper or wood. The composition is durable and shock absorbing.
rubber cement
Rubber cement is often used to restore rubber products. It is often used to repair inflatable boats, bicycle tubes or punctured mattresses.The advantages of rubber cement include rapid solidification, reliability and moisture resistance.
How to choose the right composition
To find the right glue, you must first familiarize yourself with the features of your choice.
When purchasing an adhesive, it is recommended to consider the type of surfaces to be bonded. You should also pay attention to the quality of the purchased glue.It should be reliable, highly adherent and moisture resistant.
Rules and features of the application
There are two main ways to use the adhesive mixtures.
hot bonding
For more reliable fastening of materials, the technique of hot gluing is used. In this case, the composition is preheated with a construction hair dryer. It is only after heating that it is applied to the surface to be bonded.
Cold bonding
With cold gluing, the composition does not need to be preheated. It is applied in its original form to the coating. However, before that, the surface must be prepared. It is cleaned of debris, traces of dirt and degreased. With cold bonding, the adhesive layer dries for about 8-10 hours.
Additional tips and tricks
There are a number of additional recommendations and tips to follow when working with glue:
- the mixture is best applied on a degreased coating for better adhesion;
- working with rubber compounds, it is necessary to regularly ventilate the premises;
- glue is applied with rubber gloves.
Conclusion
People often use rubber cement to bond various materials. Before using such a composition, you need to understand its description and tips for use.