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Adhesives New words


flammable: able to burn easily


solvent: a substance that dissolves another substance


ingest: to eat or swallowed


The purpose of all adhesives is to join things together. Adhesives have different properties that make them suitable for specific purposes. For example, some adhesives are good for joining wood while others are good for joining metal or glass. Certain adhesives are flammable and some resist water. It is important to know which adhesives are water-based and which are solvent-based because this will tell you how the adhesive can be removed if necessary. Different types of adhesive have different setting times. This means that the time it takes for the adhesive to harden is different from one to another.


Some adhesives are toxic to ingest and give off toxic fumes which makes them harmful. Other are not toxic at all and are safe to use. The table below compares different types of adhesive.


Type


Clear cellulose adhesive


Use


Wood, cork, leather, PVC


Contact adhesives Wood, hard- board, plastic, metal


Superglue Epoxy resins


Plastic, glass, ceramics


Wood, metal, glass, plastic


PVA


Homemade flour paste


Wood, paper, card, hard- board


Properties


Waterproof, heat-resistant, flammable


Waterproof, heat-resistant, flammable


Fairly strong but brittle, fails due to vibra- tions


Very strong, waterproof, heat-resistant


Strong but not heatproof nor waterproof


Papier mâché Cheap and very suitable for its purpose


Setting time 10–20 min


5 min Instant


Anything from 20 minutes to 24 hours depending on product


20–60 min 30–60 min Toxicity Non-toxic


Fumes are toxic


Toxic Non-toxic Solvent


Thinners, acetone


Thinners Acetone None once set


Toxic when ingested


Water before fully set


Non-toxic Water


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