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Adhesives
Adhesives are used to join materials by glueing. Different types of adhesives are used for different materials - for example, if a product is going to be used outside, then a waterproof adhesive should be used.
Adhesive types
The main types of adhesive are PVA (polyvinyl acetate), synthetic resin, epoxy resin, contact adhesive and acrylic cement.
Uses of adhesives
| Adhesive | Uses |
|---|---|
| PVA (polyvinyl acetate) | General purpose woodwork glue. Some PVA adhesives are water resistant. |
| Synthetic resin | A strong water-resistant glue for woodwork. It needs to be mixed up immediately before use. |
| Epoxy resin | For joining metals and plastics. It is waterproof but must be mixed up immediately before use. |
| Contact adhesive | For joining polystyrene and fabrics. Also useful for fixing plastic laminates to a wooden base. |
| Acrylic cement | For the joining of acrylic and some other types of plastics. The adhesive "melts" the surface of the plastic and fuses it together. |
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