The composition of PVA glue was invented back in 1912; over the years, many other means for gluing objects have appeared, but this glue has not lost its popularity. This is explained by the versatility of use of the product, as well as its safety for human health. Over the years, PVA glue has acquired many new properties, thanks to the constant improvement of the composition by manufacturers. More details about the characteristics of glue and types will be discussed below.
Composition and description of PVA glue
Polyvinyl acetate glue is a chemical substance that has excellent adhesive properties.
The abbreviation PVA means the main element contained in this glue - polyvinyl acetate in an amount of 95 percent. The adhesive also contains substances such as:
- dibutyl phthalate;
- dioctyl sebacate (abbreviated as DOS);
- tricresyl phosphate;
- various plasticizers;
- esters;
Some specific types of glue add water, acetone solution, various stabilizing additives and preservatives. You can try making your own glue from ingredients such as starch and flour.
However, in real life these substances do not have common properties with the active element of polyvinyl acetate glue. PVA is produced by the polymerization process of vinyl acetate monomer.
The prepared composition is insoluble in water - it can only swell, and this quality is manifested in an oily compound.
The adhesive is resistant to fluctuations in air temperature, does not react to changes in air, does not have toxic properties, and is harmless to people.
According to GOST, PVA glue must have the following characteristics:
- does not have a strong odor (only counterfeits and expired adhesives have this);
- consistency is a milky white homogeneous compound, in some cases with a yellow or beige tint;
- Having dried, the layer of glue turns into a translucent, viscous film;
- The glue seam is extremely strong and elastic.
If any need arises, by mixing additional substances into the glue, you can change its properties.
For example, the composition of PVA glue used in construction, in addition to polyvinyl acetate and plasticizers, includes thickeners - talc, kaolin and chalk.
To increase water resistance, gasoline is added to the glue; to improve elasticity, glycerin and oil are added, but this reduces the strength.
Other substances that can be added to PVA:
- cellulose;
- styrene;
- defoamer;
- glass particles;
- lithium, potassium, sodium polysilicate;
- defoamer;
- metal particles.
Manufacturers of PVA hard glue sticks use polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) instead of polyvinyl acetate, sometimes combining the two. PVP is thicker and its adhesive properties are higher.
Area of use
It’s worth knowing what Luch glue looks like so that it can be easily found on sale. Usually this is a bottle with a yellow label, but there is also a red type of packaging with slightly different properties of the product. Glue is great for children's creativity; it is often chosen for educational institutions to perform a variety of crafts with children.
You can also glue the peeled sections of wallpaper with the solution and use it for other household needs. The glue copes with gluing leather, textiles, paper, cardboard and other substrates.
Glue is great for children's creativity; it is often chosen for educational institutions to perform a variety of crafts with children.
Advantages and weaknesses
The glue is easy to use, easy to apply, it flows.
If the composition is too thick, you can dilute it with water, but this method is not suitable for any PVA. The drying time of the glue is directly proportional to the air temperature, the area of coverage and lasts from twelve to 24 hours.
This period of time for glue is considered short. Other positive aspects include the following:
- PVA does not contain elements hazardous to human health, it can be used by children over the age of three;
- does not cause harm if it gets on the skin, use without hand protection is allowed;
- does not explode, does not ignite;
- resistant to mechanical action;
- flexible and pliable, therefore the adhesive layer does not collapse under heavy load;
- tolerates a lot of freezing and thawing;
- can be used in enclosed spaces, as the glue does not smell and does not emit toxic fumes;
- economically spent (from one hundred to five hundred g/sq. m.);
- perfectly glues surfaces (up to five hundred and fifty N/m);
- does not disintegrate under the influence of ultraviolet rays;
- fits well into gaps and holes;
- Available in packages of various sizes;
- can be used as the main element of putty or primer, or independently;
- dried glue does not shrink and does not change the shape of the processed part.
Cleaning up excess glue on different surfaces is quite easy. Although PVA only breaks down when exposed to chemical compounds, it can be easily washed off with tap water. PVA glue also has disadvantages. It cannot be stored for a long time.
After six months or a year the substance becomes unusable. If PVA is supplemented with certain substances, the risk of danger to humans increases, so then it is necessary to use special protective equipment.
Specifications
Among the technical characteristics, it is noted that the glue is PVA. Can be used by children aged 3 years and older under adult supervision. Suitable for cardboard, textile, leather and paper products.
Produced by Russian. Usually sold in a bottle with a dispenser. The shelf life can reach 24 months depending on the type. Does not emit toxic elements or pungent odor.
Can be used by children aged 3 years and older under adult supervision.
Scope of application
Most often, PVA glue is recommended for children's creativity.
It is purchased for children's preschool and school educational institutions, developmental clubs and study groups. To glue objects, the baby does not need to wear special clothing. Stains are easily washed off in the machine.
Using PVA, you can glue thick paper, fabric products, threads, etc. The product is used when applying images to canvas, adding it to gouache, as this will give durability and the design will not fade.
Polyvinyl acetate glue is used in finishing work: wallpapering, laying tiles or laminate, and used for parquet. You can soak a wooden surface with glue to make it water-repellent.
To increase the waterproofing properties of the cement mixture, PVA is added to it; this also improves the viscosity of the solution and its adhesion.
Diluting the plaster mixture with PVA glue in the proportion of seventy grams of glue per ten liters of product helps to increase the drying rate of the treated coating and will help the solution to better saturate the surface of the walls.
Preparation of a composition for whitewashing trees using PVA
PVA is used to prepare whitewash for trees. The adhesive increases moisture resistance and is also an inexpensive base option for garden whitewash. To prepare the garden mixture you will need:
- Slaked lime – 1 kg.
- Clay – 500 g.
- Milk – 150 ml.
- Glue – 1 small bottle.
Clay, lime and milk are mixed in a bucket. The clay is pre-soaked in warm water to dissolve the lumps. PVA is added before applying whitewash to the trunk of the tree being treated.
Types of glue and its properties
Many varieties of PVA are produced, each type has certain technical properties and is used in various fields.
Glue is widely used both in construction work and at home by students and housewives; you just need to make the right choice of the product for a particular case.
PVA for household use
Most often it is used as wallpaper in cases where the canvas is heavy, for example, vinyl wallpaper on non-woven fabric, glass canvas, fabric and photo wallpaper.
Household glue has high adhesion to brick, concrete, plasterboard and plaster walls.
At home, PVA is used to glue products made of cardboard, paper, fabric and foam rubber; glue is used for decoupage. Polyvinyl acetate glue is thick, milky white in color, occasionally with a yellowish tint.
PVA is resistant to cold, can withstand freezing down to minus forty degrees, then, once defrosted, it will not lose its qualities.
As the glue deteriorates over time, it forms lumps and the solution becomes clear. Household glue is mainly sold in plastic buckets and jars.
The most famous brands include: Big, Atomex, White House and Profilux.
PVA for office work
This type (PVA-K) is similar to the previous one.
It is used for home use, most often in applications and children's crafts. It comes in liquid form, in the form of small cans up to two hundred and fifty grams and bubbles, or as a dry glue stick. To improve the sliding properties, manufacturers add a small amount of glycerin to it. There are many options for PVA stationery glue. The following brands are popular:
- Dolce Gusto;
- Space Office;
- Ribbon;
- Erich Krause;
- Delhi;
- Burlingow;
- Big White Glu;
- Ray.
Elmers (made in the USA) is considered the best stationery brand. This is a colored glue used in the production of children's “slime” from sodium tetraborate. It’s easy to make a slime toy from available materials - to do this, mix tetraborate and PVA glue in the same volume.
In order not to encounter counterfeit goods when purchasing Elmers, request certificates of conformity and HS codes.
PVA universal
Its distinguishing feature is the MB label. It can be used to glue various types of products: wood, cardboard, leather, glass.
Universal PVA is suitable for carpet, linoleum, serpyanka and various alloys. Glue is often mixed into water-dispersed mortars.
Universal PVA is cold-resistant, tolerates temperatures down to minus 20 oC. A variety of universal glue is produced, such as PVA-M. The difference with the PVA-MB type is that it is cheap and low quality.
This glue is only suitable for cardboard, paper and textile products. The best universal PVAs include the following brands: “Komus”, “Omega”, “PVA-801”, “Lakra-Extra”, “Tex-universal”, “Brauberg”.
PVA superglue
The structure of this substance contains specific elements; when they dry, they maximally strengthen the layer of applied glue.
In addition to wallpapering walls, superglue is also suitable for laying tiles in the kitchen and bathroom. With its help, you can restore damaged segments and use it instead of cement when laying a small section of floor covering.
PVA superglue is resistant to moisture (D3-D4), frost-resistant (down to minus 40 ° C), and therefore can be used in rooms without heating and outdoors.
Well-known brands: Moment Stolyar Super-PVA, Novokhim, White House and Akron.
PVA for construction work
Adhesives for household use are not moisture-resistant; it is better not to use them in damp areas.
Professional installers use PVA for construction work. It is produced in the form of an emulsion containing polymerizing particles; it is a waterproof product (D3 or D4).
Thanks to the specific structure of the product, the adhesion force to the treated surface increases.
PVA solution is added to building mixtures such as plasticizer and thickener. Subsequently, they are used for laying brick walls, tiling, screeding and pouring.
A subtype of construction PVA is glue for carpentry.
It is used when working with wood, chipboard, fibreboard, veneer, and other chipboard surfaces. PVA glue for carpentry is often given the name “furniture glue”.
It is often used in furniture production. The water resistance of construction PVA is designated as D with numbers from one to four. Such adhesives are transparent in color and have a well-defined viscosity.
Construction adhesive is resistant to cold down to minus forty oC, so it is suitable for outdoor work.
Its positive characteristics are as follows: economical consumption, resistance to ultraviolet rays, rapid hardening, high strength, it does not shrink.
Well-known Russian and foreign brands: “Tax”, “Titan”, “Kontakt”, “Moment”, “Lakra Lux”.
What determines drying time?
Sometimes there is a need for the glue to dry faster, since if the room is cool, the drying time will be approximately 24 hours.
The reason for long-term drying can be a large area treated with glue or a very large adhesive layer.
Under normal circumstances, two pieces of paper will stick to each other in fifteen minutes. To speed up drying, the following actions must be taken:
- pre-treatment of the surface - remove dirt, remove grease with acetone (this also contributes to a more uniform application of the glue);
- use a roller instead of a brush for gluing, this will make the layer thinner;
- the materials to be glued must be in very close contact, this can be achieved by placing something heavy on them, or compressing them with a special device;
- Increase the air temperature moderately using a hairdryer; you can put the glued item in the microwave for a couple of seconds.
The main condition during heating is to prevent the temperature from rising above one hundred to one hundred and twenty oC, otherwise the glue will begin to disintegrate.
Wood glue
Wood glues are primarily intended for bonding unfinished porous surfaces to each other. Natural raw materials consist of cellulose, lignin and wood-specific components such as resins and tannic acid. The structure and ingredients of the wood species have a great influence on its processing and adhesion.
In addition, when connecting wood to a varnished or plastic surface, high demands are placed on the quality and characteristics of the adhesive. Therefore, it is necessary to use adhesives such as wood glue, which provides reliable gluing results.
How and why to dilute PVA
How can I reduce the thickness of the glue?
The easiest way is to add a little water at a time to avoid excessive thinning. Office glue and household glue do not deteriorate by adding water. However, this is not suitable for other types of glue (mainly construction glue), since water will destroy the adhesive property. Information about permitted diluting liquids is contained on the can; acetone is most often used.
Diluting the glue reduces its consumption. This can be done to prepare a primer. Typically, one part of PVA is added to five parts of water to prepare a good primer for the ceiling and walls.
In rare cases, it is necessary to thicken the adhesive to increase its adhesion to the coating, or to avoid damaging ultra-thin surfaces.
PVA will quickly thicken, if you do not close the container with glue for 24 hours, then the excess moisture will go away.
PVA at home
You can independently prepare PVA stationery adhesives using organic paste if you carefully read the recipe. For 1 liter of solution you will need:
- 30 g starch.
- 100 g running water.
- 300 g boiling water.
- 10 g chalk or 50 g flour.
- Photographic gelatin (fine) 1 tsp.
First prepare starch milk by stirring starch in cold water. Then this milk is brewed by adding boiling water. The paste is mixed with gelatin, stirred and left to cool. To make the glue thick, add chalk or flour and mix thoroughly. The finished mixture is stored in a closed container.
Recommendations for the use of PVA
To ensure high-quality fastening of products, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Stir the composition thoroughly before use;
- glue surfaces if the air humidity does not exceed eighty percent and the air temperature is above ten oC;
- clean products before applying glue;
- dry the coatings before gluing;
- apply glue only to one of the products being joined, since excessive thickness reduces the adhesion force of the surfaces;
- adhere to the thickness of the adhesive seam up to two millimeters;
- Do not use the glued item until it is completely dry.
Despite the low price, polyvinyl acetate adhesive has excellent properties and does not lose its prevalence in human life and construction.
The environmental friendliness and effectiveness of PVA glue contribute to the fact that it is a leader in the market, this is also influenced by the ease of use of the substance by anyone.
Tips for working with glue
Despite the quality properties of the product, in order for the result to be as expected, you should know some rules for working with the adhesive solution:
- The solution is mixed well before use;
- Work is allowed at temperatures from +10, humidity levels up to 80%;
- The surface must be cleaned and dry;
- Apply glue to only one part;
- The layer is made no more than 2 mm;
- Leave the product until completely dry.
The layer is made no more than 2 mm.
“Luch” is an adhesive that is inexpensive, but can help reliably glue objects together. It is widely used for creating crafts, and children love to make slime with it.
