The most popular type of adhesive is water-based, which has many uses. It can be used to do small home repairs, attach toys and paper envelopes to children, and glue patches to leather and fabric. Numerous water-based adhesives have been created, and the type and additions of the adhesive determine its intended use. Water-based adhesive for laminating, foam, plastics, and plasterboard is very different from the common silicate adhesive used for paper and cardboard.
When a water-based adhesive is applied, the water in it starts to evaporate quickly, thickening the composition and increasing the adhesion to the surfaces of the materials being glued. After a while, which varies depending on the adhesive, the water completely evaporates from the layer, forming a monolithic connection. To be sure, it is still advised to leave the product being glued for a longer period of time, regardless of the glue’s instantaneous nature.
Water-dispersed adhesive
Water is the solvent in the non-toxic, innocuous composition of polyvinyl acetate dispersion. While the active polymer remains the same, the properties differ slightly from the PVA base glue. However, glue, which is categorized as PVA, only includes up to 5% water by weight. There is also another type of polyvinyl acetate, but we’ll talk about that later. Since water-dispersed adhesive compositions don’t smell, they’re safe to use in living rooms. The joints are robust and long-lasting, making them ideal for working with wood, especially moisture-resistant wood species like teak and oak.
PVA glue
Polyvinyl acetate glue, commonly referred to as universal PVA or construction glue, is an aqueous suspension that has a bright white color. Additionally, transparent PVA glue is available. One such brand is KRASS PVA D3, which is pricey but exceptionally high-quality glue for furniture, laminate and parquet flooring, windows, and door products. This kind of glue can be used to join raw materials, such as wood, as well as dry substrates. Finely dispersed polyvinyl acetate, a polymer commonly used in adhesive and paintwork material production, is present in the adhesive.
After application, the adhesive layers must be dried for 5-15 minutes, the exact time must be read in the instructions; then press the parts to be joined tightly, firmly and as precisely as possible. Gluing is interesting, and requires understanding and skill: when connecting parts, it is not so much the time of their compression that is important, but the initial pressure; the stronger, the stronger the seam will be. After holding the parts a little, you can leave them to set and, if possible, load them. The glue sets quickly, but gains strength for a very long time – up to a day or more, and during this time the parts should not be “disturbed”.
Not to be confused with the extremely dangerous "stinker," cyanoacrylate, polyacrylate has very little to no odor. In daily life, the adhesive film is unbreakable because it is extremely elastic, soft, waterproof, heat-resistant, and resistant to weak acids, oils, and salts.
Acrylic adhesives
As previously mentioned, the classification of water-based adhesives is a little more intricate. A large variety of acrylic compounds are utilized for mounting. Acrylic glue is useful for repairing a variety of materials, including baseboards, cornices, plastic panels, and a glass splashback in the kitchen. Acrylic compounds are well-known and widely used. They are purchased for specific types and quantities of work; for example, you can use a small tube for a single use to glue the sole.
Glue for gold leaf
Water-based adhesive is a cost-effective and eco-friendly choice for building and maintenance tasks. It is simple to clean up with water and has good bonding qualities for a variety of materials, such as wood, paper, and fabric. Since this kind of adhesive is non-toxic, it can be used indoors and is appropriate for homes with kids and pets. It also dries rapidly and offers a strong hold, so your projects will remain intact over time. Selecting water-based adhesive is a sensible choice that also moves the building industry closer to more environmentally friendly methods.
Another interesting type of water-based glue is designed specifically for decorative work with gold leaf – this is gilding and silvering on gypsum stucco, ceramics, wood, metal and other bases for the purpose of decoration or restoration. Choosing the right glue for gold leaf is very important. For decorating with gold leaf, universal compositions for gold leaf, such as Ferrario, are optimal. Glossy dense gilding is performed using proprietary Korner adhesives, this brand is familiar to restorers of portraits, icon frames, and rare antiques. There are extremely many brands, types and compositions of water-based adhesives for different jobs, and to choose the right adhesive you need, at a minimum, to carefully study all the information on the adhesive packaging.
