The composition and varieties of polyurethane glue, application and the best manufacturers
In the construction and repair industry, polyurethane glue is often used. This adhesive is characterized by strong adhesion to the surface, reliability and resistance to the effects of chemical microelements. Before using the adhesive, you should familiarize yourself with its varieties and features of use.
Description and advantages
A polyurethane-based adhesive has a special curing principle. The liquid begins to harden after prolonged contact with humidity or after the application of a hardener. After hardening, the surface on which the glue is applied is covered with a thin transparent film.
Polyurethane compound is universal, as it is used to join products from different materials. This glue is suitable for bonding ceramics, cardboard, glass, polystyrene, gravel and rubber. The main advantages of the substance are:
- a binding strength;
- moisture resistance and waterproofing;
- resistance to low and high temperature indicators;
- resistance to oils, petrol, acids and other types of aggressive components.
Types and properties of polyurethane glue
Before using a sealant, you should familiarize yourself with the distinctive features of its varieties.
Monocomponent
A one-component polyurethane adhesive is a synthetic mixture based on isocyanates. Outwardly, it looks like a thick viscous liquid, gray in color with a slight whitish tint. To make the adhesive more viscous, a little acetone or other solvents can be added to it. The adhesiveness of the glue is increased by the addition of synthetic type resins.
One-component mixtures are sold ready-to-use. Their hardening begins after contact with water. In addition, hardening can begin if the air humidity exceeds 65%. Before using a single-component product, this characteristic must be taken into account.
Bi-component
By the name of the glue it is clear that it contains two active substances at once. The first component is the combination of polyhydric alcohols with polymers. These trace elements are responsible for the viscosity of the composition, its elasticity and strength. The second component is diisocyanate, which is used to dilute the product.
The two-component adhesive has a wide range of applications. Its components ensure high reliability of the connection. The original adhesion of bonded components will not loosen even after decades. It is resistant to high humidity, high and low temperatures.
How is it produced
Many people who are going to use such adhesives are interested in the peculiarities of their production.
A polyurethane-based adhesive is produced from synthesized microelements. Some manufacturers add components to it that contribute to the hardening of the applied adhesive liquid.Most often, a synthetic resin is used for this, due to which the mixture becomes more viscous and thicker. Composite materials can also be added to the adhesive to improve its adhesive properties. To increase reactivity, compounds containing hydroxyl groups are added to the adhesive composition. When creating moisture resistant formulations, aminoimides are added.
Manual
To properly use polyurethane adhesive, you need to read the instructions for use at home and in business.
In production
Polyurethane adhesives are often used in industrial production and the construction sector. Quite often they are used as a joint sealant between concrete slabs or sheet metal coverings.
Before applying the glue, the surface is thoroughly cleaned of debris and dirt. It is also dried so that the coating is perfectly dry, the mounting adhesive cannot be applied to a damp support. When working with concrete materials, you will need to prime them with special primers, and only then use polyurethane glue.
At home
In everyday life, a polyurethane adhesive mixture can be used for:
- Carrying out repair work. Very often they are used to fix finishing materials. Also, such glue, like polyurethane foam, is used to seal joints.
- Shoe repair. Such a composition is suitable for rubber, leather and other materials from which shoes are often made.
- Furniture repair. Polyurethane glues are suitable for gluing wood and are therefore used for furniture repair.
When using glue, perform the following sequence of actions:
- Preparation of the treated coating. The surface is washed, dried, sanded and degreased.
- Application of the mixture. It is applied evenly and spread over the entire surface. It must be done very quickly, because it begins to solidify in 10-15 minutes.
- Remove glue residue. Any excess composition should be carefully wiped off with an alcohol-based cloth.
How to dilute and wash
Sometimes polyurethane glue needs to be diluted slightly before use. For this, special activators are used that can improve the thermal stability of the composition and increase its adhesive properties. However, activators are only used to dilute two-component fluids. If you need to dilute a one-component mixture, you will need to use plain water or alcohol. You can also use special thinners sold at many hardware stores. These include methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, and acetone.
Acetone is used to clean tools from adhesive remnants. If the mixture does not have time to dry, it is wiped mechanically.
Storage
There are several features of the storage of polyurethane glue, with which you should familiarize yourself:
- If the composition is in a closed container, the storage temperature should be 15-30 degrees above zero.
- The container with the composition should be placed away from light sources and heating devices.
- Glue should be stored in hard-to-reach places and out of the reach of children.
- In an opened package, the glue will keep for 5 to 6 months.
Brands
There are several well-known manufacturers that make polyurethane glue.
adesiv
It is a high quality two-component composition produced in Italy.Most often, Adesiv is used for gluing wooden products and laying parquet. The advantages of this glue are its elasticity, strength and reliability. Adesiv is mixed with a special hardener before use. The composition is stirred until a homogeneous mass is obtained. The prepared solution is applied to the surface with a spatula. Freezes Adesiv for six hours.
Duayen
Duayen glue is recommended for working with rubber surfaces. This two-component adhesive mixture is excellent at low temperatures, high humidity and resists the effects of many chemical components. Among the advantages of Duayen, which distinguish it from other varieties of polyurethane glue, are:
- Low price. Adhesives from this manufacturer are several times cheaper than other similar products.
- Solidification rate. The glue applied to the surface dries within half an hour after application.
- Sustainability. The glue does not lose its properties even after decades of use.
Purtis
Purtis are the most commonly used single component adhesives in the construction industry. They do not contain solvents or hardeners.
Experts advise using Purtis for gluing chipboard together, as well as for covering the surface of the walls with cotton boards or foam sheets. In addition, glue is considered a good medium for bonding SIP panels to aluminum, steel or plastic surfaces.
It is also resistant to heat and low temperatures, which makes it suitable for outdoor use.
"Anles"
One-component, urethane rubber-based adhesive mix. The main feature of Anles is considered to be the high crystallization rate of the adhesive composition.When creating such a substance, acetone and ethyl acetate are used.
The main properties of "Anles":
- the operating temperature is about 20-50 degrees above zero;
- transparency after solidification;
- moisture resistance;
- resistance to low temperatures, which makes it possible to use "Anles" outdoors;
- resistance to alkaline and acid mixtures;
- elasticity and high strength.
When using "Anles" no more than 150 grams of glue are consumed per square meter.
ATK-Alliance
ATK-Alliance is considered the best-known industrial glue used in the manufacture of sandwich panels. It is intended for use in companies equipped with special automatic lines for the production of panels. The main advantages of the composition include:
- At low price. In comparison with other industrial polyurethane adhesives, ATK-Alliance is quite inexpensive.
- Water resistance. The composition does not pass moisture, which makes it possible to use it outdoors and in damp rooms.
- Frost resistant. "Alliance" does not lose its properties even at temperatures below 50 degrees below zero.
"Cleon"
When making furniture, Kleon, which is designed for woodworking, is often used. This adhesive is available in small containers with a volume of 400-500 milliliters. The main advantages of "Cléon" are:
- Quick adhesion. The adhesive applied to the surface begins to set in 8-10 minutes after use.
- Moisture resistant. Cleon handles humidity easily and can therefore be used in humid environments.
- Resistant to extreme temperatures. "Cleon" copes with temperature fluctuations from -30 to +40 degrees.
Soudal
Among the types of household adhesives, the composition of Soudal stands out. It is made from rubbers and contains a small amount of solvents.Due to its good adhesion and high quality connection, Soudal is used to work with all surfaces.
Before applying the composition, the surface is degreased and wiped from dirt and dust particles. To make the connection more durable, Soudal is applied in 2-3 layers. The products to be joined should be firmly pressed against each other and held in this position for about 20-25 minutes.
"Moment"
One of the most common types of polyurethane adhesives used in daily life. "Moment" is used when you need to quickly glue broken objects. Experts recommend using glue for gluing plastic products. It is suitable for rubber, metal, wooden, ceramic and glass surfaces.
The only thing Moment is incompatible with is polypropylene and polyethylene. In addition, it is not recommended to use polyurethane glue for gluing dishes and containers for storing food.
bostik
People who plan to carry out repairs and glue wallpaper on the walls can use Bostik glue for this. It is ideal for bonding paper-based products and bonding them to cement, wood and fiber substrates. Bostik is poorly protected from moisture, so it is used in dry rooms.
Before gluing the wallpaper, you need to prepare the surface of the walls. They are pre-coated and sanded so that the coating is perfectly smooth. Then the walls are evenly covered with adhesive. To do this, use an ordinary brush or roller.
Dow Chemical Company
One-component universal polyurethane compound used for bonding all materials.It is often used during renovations for bonding parquet, ceramic tiles, wallpaper, baseboards and linoleum. In addition, the glue released by the Dow Chemical Company adheres perfectly to rubber and natural leather.
A special type of adhesive is produced, which is used for working with shoes. Soles, heels and even insoles are glued.
Henkel
Furniture manufacturers often use Henkel glue. Its benefits include:
- Resistance and durability. Glued wood does not peel off even after several decades.
- Fire safety. The surface treated with the mixture is non-flammable.
- Moisture resistance. Henkel is often used in very humid environments because it does not let water through.
- Versatility. The glue is used both for mechanical gluing of wood and for manual gluing.
A little about the cons
Polyurethane adhesive mixtures have a number of disadvantages that should be known before using them. The main disadvantages are:
- They do not tolerate long-term exposure to too high temperature indicators. Polyurethane type sealants cannot be exposed to temperatures around 120-130 degrees Celsius for a long time.
- Poor adhesion on damp substrates. Experts do not recommend applying glue to coatings with a moisture content of more than 10%. In this case, the connection will not be reliable.
- Solidification time. Some formulations harden too quickly, making the bonding process difficult.
Conclusion
Polyurethane glue is considered a fairly common adhesive that is used not only in everyday life, but also in industry.
Before using a mixture based on polyurethane, you will need to deal with the main types of glue, well-known brands and features of their application.