Wood adhesives are an important part of any woodworking project. You can use them for everything from assembling a project to installing flooring to repairing a joint. There are many types of adhesives available on the market, but which one should you choose for your project? In this blog post, we will discuss the five most common types of wood glue and their characteristics.
Polyvinyl Acetate Glue
PVA glue, or polyvinyl acetate, is the most popular wood adhesive. If you have white or yellow wood glue at home, it is most likely PVA.
Polyvinyl acetate glue is popular thanks to its low price, adaptability for indoor and outdoor applications, simplicity of cleanup, and high bonding strength. When PVA glue dries, it forms a bond that is harder than the wood itself and has an extremely high shear strength.
Properties
- One of the most significant advantages of Polyvinyl Acetate Glue is that it’s the most widely used wood glue which makes it readily available in most major retail stores, like Home Depot and Walmart.
- PVA wood glue will not yellow over time and will remain fairly pliable, which helps to maintain the sheer strength over time.
- The fumes are neither unpleasant nor hazardous; the glue is only poisonous if consumed.
- PVA wood glue has had little to no deterioration over the years, yet if the glue-up is low quality, it will still fall apart.
Polyurethane Glue
Polyurethane is a water-resistant and waterproof synthetic plastic resin. Because the air's moisture activates its bond, it performs effectively in humid conditions. Polyurethane glue excels in a few unusual situations where PVA glue fails. Polyurethane glues may adhere end grain to end grain nicely and are ideal for oily woods. Water and oil do not mix, and wood glues are no exception. This explains why water-based glues do not adhere well to oily woods but polyurethane glues do.
Properties
- As opposed to certain water-based glues, polyurethane glue does not have significant moisture levels and does not cause the joint to swell. This is because it is not water-based, and hence wood pores do not absorb it as readily.
- Another distinctive characteristic of polyurethane glues is that they cure via a chemical interaction with moisture. This makes it simpler to attach wood with a high moisture content or greasy wood than with a glue-like PVA, which would have problems adhering to these sorts of surfaces.
Cyanoacrylate Glue
CA glue, often known as cyanoacrylate, is a fast-drying acrylic resin with strong bonding. CA glue is the term used to refer to superglue.
Properties
- The holding characteristics are outstanding, but the sheer strength is mediocre.
- These adhesives are ideal for bonding wedges to parts and utilizing them as clamping aids; but, due to their low shear strength, they may be removed with a hammer once the adhesive has cured.
- This glue may be used for a wide variety of purposes, however, it is more costly than PVA and other adhesives.
- This glue is excellent for crown molding, trim, and furniture restoration since it is transparent and dries rapidly.
Epoxy Glue
Epoxy is a type of strong adhesive that’s made up of two parts: the resin and the hardener. When these two parts are mixed together, they create a chemical reaction that results in a hard, durable bond.
Properties
- Epoxy is both waterproof and an excellent filler.
- Cure periods for epoxy may vary greatly, but as a general rule, the longer it takes to dry, the stronger the connection. This is a benefit of epoxy over PVA glue.
- If your joint is crooked and has to be filled, epoxy is a great choice; for a wood texture, add sawdust into the mixture.
Hide Glue
Hide glue is the earliest adhesive. This is still commonly used by traditional woodworkers and bowmakers. Hide glue, animal glue, and rawhide glue are all the same. It is manufactured from the connective tissues of animal hide.
While there are many types of wood adhesives on the market, each has its own unique set of benefits and drawbacks. Hopefully, this article has helped to give you a better understanding of different adhesives and how to choose the right adhesive for your next project. Have you tried using any of these types of wood glue before? What was your experience like? Let us know in the comments below.