Description and instructions for use of UV glue, the best brands and suitable lamps
UV glue is used to bond glass parts with other types of materials: wood, plastic, metal. An innovative product in the chemical industry, bonds parts together firmly and reliably. There are several varieties of UV glue designed to meet different needs. To choose the appropriate option, you need to understand the features and purpose of the product.
Description and purpose of ultraviolet glue
UV glue is a methacrylate-based adhesive. Based on this component, pure polymers with a transparent texture are created.
The technical characteristics of the material allow it to be used for various purposes:
- for gluing the walls of aquariums;
- in solar panels;
- in the manufacture of furniture;
- in jewelry;
- in electronics;
- in the manufacture of dishes.
Light-curing glue is used for bonding triplexes, in repair work related to electronic devices. There are different types of glass, for which the appropriate type of adhesive is selected.
Advantages and disadvantages
Among all types of UV adhesives, the composition has a whole list of advantages. The mixture creates a strong and durable layer, reliably connecting parts of different materials. The adhesive is water repellent. At high temperatures, the structure of the substance does not change.The composition is safe for humans, does not emit toxic substances. The stitching of bonded parts easily transfers mechanical stresses. Bonded construction is durable.
The mass completely covers the product, leaving no gaps. This creates a strong seam. The work is done quickly, there is no need to pre-drill the surface to connect the parts, unlike bolting. No additional material is needed during bonding.
Work instructions
Instructions for using UV glue include four sequential steps:
- The choice of glue depending on the material. The final seam strength will depend on the correct material. You can opt for an all-purpose adhesive.
- Preparing the parts to be bonded. The surface of the products should be clean, dry and smooth, free from other impurities. Wipe the bonding sites with an alcohol-based substance beforehand. The parts to be joined are heated to a temperature of 50-55 degrees to prevent the connection from being destroyed.
- Application of glue. The composition is applied to the surface of the part within 5 minutes after it is heated. If more time has elapsed, the product is reheated. They try to apply the right amount of UV glue to the surface, avoiding squeezing out excess material and bubbles, as they reduce the strength of the connection.
- Bonding. The UV lamp is placed close to the surfaces. Pre-glue the parts for 2 minutes. Remove excess glue if it appears on the surface. Depending on the type of lamp, the final bonding of the parts takes 2 to 5 minutes.
To work with UV-curing glue, protective equipment is used: glasses and gloves. The smoother the planes of the parts to be bonded, the stronger the joint will be.
Review of popular brands
Popular brands used by professionals include two UV formulations: LOXEAL UV 30-20 and LOCA TP-2500. LOXEAL UV 30-20 glue is used to join glass, wood and plastic parts. It is characterized by rapid polymerization, forms a strong and high-quality seam. The compound is resistant to moisture, chemical and mechanical stress.
Temperature changes do not affect the quality of the seam.
LOCA TP-2500 glue forms a seal capable of transmitting light. Using a UV lamp, the substance hardens in 10 minutes. During the period of operation, it does not lose its original qualities. A distinctive feature of the substance is its resistance to high temperatures.
Which UV lamps are suitable?
To cure UV glue, ultraviolet devices of different wavelengths are used, which affect the curing characteristics. To solidify the entire layer, devices with a wavelength of 300 to 400 nanometers are required. To cure only the top layer, you need a lamp with a luminescence spectrum of 280 nanometers.
If ultraviolet rays fail to penetrate all parts of the structure, additional adhesives are used for better adhesion of surfaces. Experts recommend the following lamp brands:
- Star UVA lamp - useful length 490 mm. Dries the glue evenly.
- TL-D 15W / 108 lamp - used in various industrial fields, medicine.
High-quality UV lamps give a positive result, a long service life of glued products. When choosing equipment, they are guided by the type of glue, the material of the surfaces to be joined. Ultraviolet glue is used in production and daily life.To achieve a high-quality result, you need to take a responsible attitude to the choice of adhesive.