Wood glues
Wood glues are adhesives used to tightly bond pieces of wood together.
Most wood glues need to be clamped while the glue dries to achieve maximum bond strength. Very little glue is needed to bond pieces of wood together.
Types of Wood Glue
Many substances have been used as glues. The most common wood glue is polyvinyl acetate (PVA), also known as "carpenter's glue" or "Yellow glue". The white version of polyvinyl acetate is also used on wood. Epoxy is sometimes used where bond failure could cause injury.
Traditionally, animal glues were ubiquitous, especially hide glue, which is still used in lutherie and restoration. Polyurethane glue (trade names include Gorilla Glue and Excel) is becoming increasingly popular, especially where water resistance is required, although water-resistant PVAs are available .
Substances used as wood glue include:
- polyvinyl acetate (PVA), yellow & white
- animal glues
- Polyurethane
- Cyanoacrylate (Crazy glue or Superglue) used mainly for small repairs, especially by woodturners;
- contact cement for veneers;
- hot melt for temporary uses;
- Epoxy mainly for exterior uses;
- other synthetic resins including resorcinol, urea-formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde resin, etc.
Exterior Use
Wood glues intended for exterior use vary in their suceptibility to water.
- PVA (exterior grade)
- Polyurethane - survives showers but not constant wetness
- Hide glue
- Cyanoacrylate
- Contact cement
- Hot melt
- Epoxy - waterproof
- Resorcinol
- Urea-formaldehyde
- Phenol formaldehyde resin
Trade & other names
- PVA, yellow - carpenter's glue, yellow glue
- PVA, white - elmer's, white glue,
- Polyurethane - Deckbond, Gorilla Glue, Excel
- Hide glue - animal glue,
- Cyanoacrylate - Superglue, crazy glue
- Contact cement
- Hot melt
- Epoxy - Araldite
- Resorcinol
- Urea-formaldehyde
- Phenol formaldehyde resin
Alternatives to Wood Glues
See Fixings
References
Patrick Spielman (1986). Gluing and Clamping: A Woodworker’s Handbook. Sterling Publishing. ISBN 0-8069-6274-7