Types of the Best UV Glass Adhesives and How to Use It at Home
Using UV glue for glass and other types of substances allows you to achieve excellent fixation of materials. Today, many tools are used to attach glass elements to each other. There are also compounds that help bond glass to other materials - wood or metal. To choose a high quality glue, there are many characteristics to consider.
What are the requirements for glass glue
In order for the glass glue to provide good hold, it is recommended to select the right composition. The substance must meet a number of requirements.
Improved grip
High adhesion to different types of surfaces is important for the adhesive. In this case, it is worth considering the purpose of the product that is planned to be glued.
Transparency and invisibility
For glass, it is recommended to choose a colorless glue that is not visible on a transparent surface.
Quick adhesion
The composition should set quickly. This will help to achieve high-quality fastening and save time on labor.
Resistance to extreme temperatures
The adhesive should normally tolerate temperature fluctuations. It is also recommended to take into account the resistance to high humidity.
Safety and respect for the environment
The composition should be harmless and environmentally friendly. Poor quality glue causes allergies and other disorders.
Viscosity, ductility and elasticity
It is recommended to pay attention to the consistency of the adhesive. The substance should be viscous and viscous. In this case, it is recommended to choose an elastic composition.
Storage options after opening
For many people, the question of further use after opening the package is relevant.
Varieties of suitable formulations
Today there are many effective formulations on sale that meet the listed criteria.
To make the right choice, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the key characteristics of each species.
Polyurethane based
It is one of the most popular formulations for bonding glass. The substance is suitable for working with smooth materials. It has 2 main varieties.
Monocomponent
These formulations are ready to use, so they are very popular. It is not necessary to add additional ingredients to the substance.
Bi-component
These substances are characterized by high flexibility with respect to the period of completion of polymerization. The specific period is determined by the volume of the hardener in the composition. The main advantage of the tool is the possibility of its recovery.Typically, the formulation includes resins and active agents. They guarantee viscosity, are responsible for consistency and ensure complete drying.To make the seam strong, composite ingredients are used.
Cyanoacrylate
This tool is considered universal. It is used not only for gluing glass surfaces, but also for the manufacture of electrical appliances. On sale it will be possible to find a transparent composition or a substance with a yellow tint.
This glue has many advantages. These include affordable price, liquid texture and strong stitching. The substance sets quickly.
It is easy and comfortable to use the product. It is produced in plastic or aluminum tubes. In this case, the composition should not be consumed immediately. It is allowed to leave it for later use - the main thing is to tightly close the container. This glue is also available in gel form. At room temperature, it hardens in seconds. It is recommended to work the composition with gloves. The substance can cause severe burns in case of contact with the skin. Before buying glue, you should carefully read the instructions.
AVP
It is allowed to glue glass elements with PVA. This substance is made on the basis of polyvinyl acetate. It is very popular. At the same time, the effectiveness of fixing glass is questionable, since PVA does not have good adhesion.
In addition, the disadvantages of glue include the risk of marks on the seams when gluing. The main advantage of PVA is its availability. Glue is sold in any store and has a low price.
heat resistant
This glue is suitable for fixing objects that will subsequently experience high temperatures. The heat-resistant substance is used for ovens, electric kettles and stoves. It is also allowed to be used for all household appliances that contain glass elements.
The advantage of the composition is that the resulting seam does not melt under the influence of high temperature. This is due to the presence of amplifiers in the composition.
Optical
The purpose of this type of glue is to fix the elements of optical devices. This substance is used by manufacturers of photographic equipment. It is also used for making other devices that require full ultraviolet radiation.
This tool is rarely used in everyday life. It is generally used by professionals. Therefore, buying optical glue in a store is very problematic. The disadvantage of funds is the high cost. It contains expensive components.
Polymer based
Polymer glue hardens quickly and dries well under the influence of ultraviolet rays. This ensures that the glass shards are firmly attached. It is worth using the glue correctly. It is recommended to do this exclusively on certain surfaces. To obtain a good fixation, at least one lens must be transparent and give access to light.
To ensure full adhesion of the surfaces, they are placed under a special lamp. It provides high quality hardening. Polymer glue has many advantages. These include absolute transparency of the seams, resistance to high temperatures and moisture, resistance to mechanical stress.The disadvantage of the composition is the relatively long drying time.
Silicone
It is allowed to glue the glass with a silicone compound. It is a transparent substance that includes high molecular weight polymers. There are also several other components in the composition. For this reason, adhesives are characterized by resistance to various factors. Silicone is considered an environmentally friendly material. It is often used in the food industry. The specific drying time depends on the ingredient list, humidity and temperature settings.
UV
UV glue was recently invented. The substance provides strong adhesion. If the surface is broken, the fracture will appear anywhere but not in the bonding area. Reliability is not considered the only advantage of the composition. Substances containing acrylic polymers are completely transparent.
Any glue in this category requires UV exposure. The wavelength must be at least 350 nanometers. It is recommended to observe the humidity and temperature parameters. The glass should be completely transparent. The compositions differ in the degree of viscosity. Weak substances help to attach the glass fragments to each other. Strong composition types make it possible to bond glass and metal or wood.
Epoxy
This remedy is made by mixing the ingredients. The composition includes epoxy resin, filler, modifying additives. The substance also includes an amine hardener. The product is characterized by high bond strength. Maximum results can be achieved one day after application. The glue has a peculiar smell and does not dissolve in water. The substance is characterized by resistance to mechanical stress and the action of chemical compounds.
Special
There are also special types of glue that are used in certain areas. Thus, there are compounds for repairing car windows or household appliances. Each of the varieties has certain characteristics.
Application conditions for gluing
When working with glue, you must adhere to a number of requirements. All actions are recommended to be performed as carefully as possible. Improper application of the adhesive will cause stains on the glass surface. It should be remembered that glass objects are considered fragile, so it is forbidden to press too hard on them. If drops spontaneously fall on the front surface, they must be washed off with a special solvent. It is recommended to protect your hands. Adhesives often contain aggressive components.
How to properly glue glass at home
To achieve a solid fixation, the prepared elements are laid out on the table and begin to work. For that, proceed as following :
- A thin layer of the composition is applied in 1 or 2 parts at a time. This is indicated in the instructions.
- Press the surface firmly for 1-2 minutes.
- Let the product dry completely. The duration of the process depends on the type of glue. In the case of using an ultraviolet composition, it is recommended to dry the items with a special lamp.
- Excess glue that has escaped from the seam must be carefully removed with a sharp object - a knife or blade.
- Wipe the structure with a special window cleaner.
When working with glue, it is recommended to observe safety rules. For this, gloves are used. The room should be well ventilated.
Some characteristics of collage
Object collage has certain characteristics. First of all, it is recommended to take into account the materials used.
glass to glass
To glue two pieces of glass together, you need to prepare everything you need. It is recommended to clean and dry the parts. Then transparent glue is applied to one part and the elements are pressed against each other. Then it is worth letting the layer dry completely.
From glass to metal
For such works, it is recommended to use a special glue, which allows to achieve a high-quality seam. First of all, it is recommended to clean both surfaces from paint and varnish residues, wash, dry and degrease.
Heat the glass to + 50-60 degrees. Then cover the two parts with a thin layer of glue, wait a few minutes and press the elements firmly against each other. It is worth using the product after a day.
with a tree
Glass to wood is bonded with special professional compounds. In a home environment, it is allowed to use PVA or liquid nails. A good solution would also be acrylic glue with 2 components in the composition.
Common Mistakes
When using glass glue, inexperienced crafters make some common mistakes:
- Preparation of the surface for fixing is neglected. It is recommended to clean it well and dry it.
- Wrong choice of adhesive. When choosing a tool, one should take into account the type of material, the purpose of the product, its operating conditions and many other factors.
- They use the product in advance. After fixing the elements of the product, it is recommended to wait until the adhesive is completely dry. Otherwise, good results will not be obtained.
Additional tips and tricks
It is not so difficult to glue glass surfaces.In this case, it is important to strictly follow the manufacturer's instructions and comply with safety requirements. It is recommended to buy fixing products such as glue or waterproof sealant exclusively in specialized stores. In such places, the rules for storing the substance are strictly observed. The use of an expired substance is strictly prohibited. It loses its fixing properties and is able to harm health.
The glass adhesive is very effective and is used for a wide variety of applications. To achieve good results when using the substance, you must clearly adhere to the basic recommendations. It is recommended to follow the safety instructions.