If you need to glue something, first of all remember the most common PVA glue. It is available in every home and office; it is used not only for gluing plain paper, but also in construction and industry. And this is due to its simple composition, which allows you to change the application by introducing special additives.
A bit of history
Back in 1912, the German Klatt managed to get vinyl acetate from acetylene gas. The new substance as a result of polymerization became sticky. But just before World War II, American Farben established industrial production of PVA glue.
Four years later, the Korean, conducting independent research, receives vinalon, the basis of which is polyvinyl alcohol. So PVA glue, the price of which is less than many other adhesives, has spread around the world.
On the territory of the former Soviet Union, mass production of PVA began in the early seventies of the twentieth century in the city of Severodonetsk (Lugansk region). Our grandmothers still remember that before in schools, at work lessons, glue with the unusual name “gum arabic” was used to glue paper. And in the difficult post-war years, glue was prepared at home from starch or boiled potatoes.
And now we can’t imagine how to do without PVA glue.
PVA glue: characteristics
This wonderful and familiar tool has many valuable properties. Its adhesive capacity is 450 N / m. Due to its elasticity and uniformity, it is applied with a thin layer, which becomes invisible after drying. PVA-glued paper can be easily folded; it does not break after drying.
A huge plus is non-toxicity and incombustibility, which allows children to use it in the classroom and in everyday life. The mild odor generated by the use of glue is harmless. All types of glue, except PVA-K (clerical), can withstand four times freezing without loss of properties. If necessary, it is diluted with water or other solvents, such as acetone. Drying time depends on the thickness of the layer and does not exceed 24 hours.
Its liquid base allows the introduction of various additives into PVA glue, the composition of which changes in this direction in the right direction. So new varieties of familiar glue were developed.
Varieties of PVA
Thanks to additives, the scope of application of PVA glue has expanded.
We list the main areas of use:
- domestic use (gluing stationery);
- use for repairs (wallpapering, linoleum);
- installation of ceramic tiles;
- use in construction as additives.
Description of types of glue
PVA stationery glue, the composition of which does not contain toxic additives, is used for gluing paper, children's creativity. Due to the absence of other solvents, besides water, it is harmless to children and can be used indoors without hoods.
The most common grade of PVA is universal. It has an extensive scope. They can glue porcelain, glass and paper. It is added to the primer, putty during the repair of premises in order to strengthen the binding properties.
Household PVA is used for wallpapering, thick paper. It is characterized by increased frost resistance.
Super PVA glue has a viscous consistency due to plasticizers, therefore it is used for fixing tiles, plastic, metal. Its main application is the construction industry.
Joiner's glue PVA has high moisture resistance and is used to connect wooden products.
Another type of popular glue is PVA "Moment". It is characterized by its property of instant bonding of surfaces without force, pressing. It can be used for fixing laminate flooring and other surfaces.
Features of some varieties of PVA
Building PVA is used not only as an independent adhesive, but also as an additive to various building materials. The correct name for building glue is a homopolymer polyvinyl acetate dispersion. Due to the density of the composition, building glue is applied with a spatula. And the glued surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned of dust and degreased.
PVA glue, the composition of which includes a plasticizer, should not be cooled below zero degrees, otherwise it loses its properties. At the same time, glue that does not contain such additives is able to withstand frost of forty degrees without losing its adhesive properties after defrosting. If a dried film forms on the surface of the adhesive mass, then it must be removed and the mass thoroughly mixed. To prevent the glue from drying out, it is stored in a carefully closed container.
PVA glue: composition
Consider the main components that are added to the adhesive in order to change its adhesive properties. This raw material is added at the production stage and is divided into the following groups:
- adhesives;
- solvents;
- plasticizers;
- fillers;
- hardeners;
- stabilizers.
The ratio of the above components and gives the necessary properties to different types of glue.
Adhesives, which include starch and resins, give the composition a bond strength.
As solvents, acetone, gasoline and others are used. Strengthening water resistance and heat resistance, they reduce the strength of the adhesive layer. Therefore, the solvent content in PVA is minimal.
The so-called plasticizers give flexibility to adhesive joints. Therefore, paper glued with PVA can be easily bent without breaking the joint. Plasticizers include glycerin, camphor oil.
To improve the strength of the adhesive mass, fillers are added: kaolin, talc, chalk.
To reduce the solidification and hardening time, use small additives of glass, porcelain or metal.
To increase the shelf life of the glue, stabilizers are introduced into its composition, which include styrene inhibitors, various nitro compounds.
PVA glue, the price of which depends on the purpose and availability of certain components, is still recognized as the cheapest and most affordable. Construction glue costs from 26 rubles per kilogram. It is more suitable for wallpapering. Universal adhesive PVA brands "Rainbow", "Bolars" will cost more - from 65 rubles per kilogram.
Original ways to use PVA
In addition to the usual methods of using PVA glue for gluing paper or during repairs, craftsmen find more original use for it.
For example, combining gouache and PVA, you can draw on canvas or other surfaces. It turns out a wonderful alternative to expensive oil or acrylic paints. Thanks to glue gouache lays well on the material, lasts a long time. If the result is not liked, then everything is easily washed off, and you can start again.
Women use glue for manicure. It can be applied to the nails as a base under the varnish with sparkles. Due to its non-toxicity, it is harmless to nails and can be easily removed without the use of solvents.
If you apply glue to the cuticle around the nail, you can not be afraid that the varnish will get on the skin. A strip of glue with the remnants of varnish is instantly removed after drying.
Storage conditions
For storage of PVA glue, the composition of which is supplemented by volatile solvents, closed containers are used, which are kept at a temperature of five to ten degrees of heat.