Types of epoxy glue and rules for its use

One of the most important tools for people who are doing repairs is glue. With it, wallpaper, tile is fixed. It is useful for connecting different parts. Here are just many who believe that this is not a reliable tool. They just never heard about epoxy glue. It is made from epoxy resin - a substance with a specific consistency. When adding other elements that are part of the glue, the resin hardens. In solid form, it reliably holds together various objects and parts. Due to its characteristics, epoxy glue was honored for use not only in the domestic sphere.

Types of Epoxy Adhesive

Even a product such as epoxy glue can be of various types. The main criterion for dividing is the form in which the product is sold.

• One component. It consists directly of resin and special substances. Such glue is sold in the form of a ready-made mixture. True, in its fastening properties, it is somewhat inferior to the following remedy.
• Two-component. It is not sold ready-made - the set consists of two tubes. One is filled with resin, and the other with a substance, due to which the composition will eventually harden. And you need to mix them immediately before use. The finished product solidifies quickly and securely fastens the parts.

Separate classes of glue differ in their consistency:

• paste glue. It is usually found in the form of one-component or two-component compositions;
• plastic mass sold in blocks;
• film glue.

Also, the glue differs in some other properties.

• "Moment" produces a special transparent composition. It is universal - the glue in a large container is suitable for repair, and with the help of a substance in a convenient tube you can, for example, glue a broken vase.
• “Contact” produces an epoxy adhesive, which is characterized by increased resistance to moisture and is suitable for things that are constantly in contact with water. At the same time, he fastens any materials.
• EAF glue is more suitable for serious construction and finishing works. It is also versatile and can hold any materials together. But, for example, it should not be used for dishes - getting even a small particle of resin into the body is dangerous to health.
• For metal objects there is a special glue called "Cold Welding". As the name implies, this product is able to replace welding. It is even better, because it copes with a large number of alloys.

Where is epoxy adhesive used?

Regardless of the kind in question, epoxy glue is used in a huge number of areas.

• Building. This, of course, includes internal repair work - gluing tiles, fastening metal and concrete. But epoxy is also used for larger tasks, such as gluing reinforced concrete elements during the construction of bridges, joining panels, strengthening concrete by filling cracks with resin.
• Production and car repair. Using epoxy resins brake pads are fixed. The substance helps to glue plastic elements on a metal surface. Epoxy will help restore the gas tank, gearbox, skin, body.
• Aircraft construction. Here, the resin is used together with welding, or even instead of it, to fix the elements at the joints. And with the help of this tool, heat protection is installed inside and outside the case.
• Shipbuilding. An epoxy is also used here - both for fixing various elements, and for external processing. Indeed, as mentioned earlier, certain types of glue are especially resistant to moisture.
• And, of course, at home this tool is also useful. With it, they repair dishes, shoes, furniture. Epoxy has also found application in needlework.

Properties of two-component epoxy adhesive

The composition of the finished epoxy, in addition to the resin itself, also includes a hardener and a solvent. By production always follow the established rules.

It is important that the correct proportions of the epoxy resin and hardener are observed in order to obtain an adhesive with the required properties.

• A distinctive feature of epoxy is resistance to high temperatures (even for the preparation of the composition it is necessary to heat the resin very much). The product is resistant to low temperatures.
• The glue will not suffer when various oils, gasoline get on it. This is especially important when epoxy is used for seams.
• Various cleaning products that are used for cleaning will not harm him.
• This glue is very flexible - if the elements that it connects are slightly displaced after solidification, the substance does not crumble and continues to fasten the parts.
• The cured adhesive does not shrink over time, cracks do not appear on it (it is not without reason that it is used to close cracks in concrete).
• Does not let water through (although this property is enhanced with the help of additional additives).

Not all properties are positive.

• The composition quickly hardens, so you need to use it very carefully.
• You need to work with him in protective clothing, since it is extremely difficult to wash the cured adhesive from the skin.

What temperature does the glue withstand?

Separately, it is worth mentioning the temperature regime at which the glue is able to maintain all its properties. Even for normal work with the substance, it must be heated. Operating temperature - about seventy degrees.

Tip

To heat the resin, the container with it must be placed in a basin filled with water of the appropriate temperature.

• The maximum temperature for the glue is plus two hundred and fifty degrees.
• The lowest is minus twenty.

Such stability is one of the reasons why epoxy glue is used not only in domestic conditions, but also in the manufacture of cars, the construction of aircraft, ships and bridges.

How to breed epoxy?

Before using the glue, you need to figure out how to dilute the resin and additional substances so that the composition meets the standards and has all the properties.

• The resin is usually very thick. Mixing it with a hardener is problematic. Place a tube or bucket in advance in a basin of water heated to seventy degrees. The same applies to the finished one-component composition - if you heat it, then it will be much easier to work with glue. But it is important that the water does not get into the resin.
• You also need to prepare a vessel in which you will mix substances. Choose one that is not a pity to throw away: after contact with the resin, washing it will not work, and it will become unsuitable for further use.
• Now you can spread the glue. Pour the resin into the container and add the hardener to it, mix well. Standard proportions are ten parts of resin and one part of hardener. But along with the tool should go instructions for use. For some varieties, the ratio is different - five parts of resin and one part of hardener.
• From the instructions, you will find out how much the finished composition dries. Usually about a day, but sometimes less.
• Use caution and protect your skin.

How to use epoxy glue?

You also need to know how to properly use epoxy glue. When you need to connect two parts or stick an element to the surface, apply glue to only one of the objects. Then press it to another and fix. You need to hold them for about ten minutes. After this, leave to harden. It will take about a day.Do not forget to ventilate the room in which you worked with epoxy.

Output

Epoxy glue is a universal tool. It is useful to glue a broken vase, but it is also used in the construction of bridges and aircraft. There are several types of glue. In particular, it is divided into one-component and two-component. The latter is prepared simply and more reliable, so this type is more often found in stores.

When using glue, it is important to be careful, as it is very difficult to wash off from the skin. Anyway, it is harmful to the human body, so do not use it to fix dishes.

Do not forget to observe proportions when preparing the mixture. Only in this way you will get glue that will securely fix the parts.