Glass Bonding Challenges
When it comes to both hot melt and non-hot melt adhesives, glass is a unique substrate that can be difficult to attach. When working with glass, load-bearing seams are rarely seen. Instead, you’re probably working on a project that requires a connection that can withstand regular environmental changes while remaining invisible and faultless.
As a result, the glue you employ to adhere glass to itself or to another substrate must be carefully considered. You want it to be strong enough to form a watertight seal, flexible enough to resist snapping under multi-directional stresses, and clear enough to remain invisible for years.
We’re here at apelusa.com to help you learn from our years of experience with glass and the various types of hot melt and non-hot melt adhesives that may be used to attach it. Whether you’re on the job, in the factory, or doing a DIY project at home, here are some various types of adhesives and application procedures to aid you with a flawless glass installation.
Recommendations in a Hurry
If you’re looking for a quick product recommendation, here are some of our favorite glass-bonding adhesives:
For bonding glass, use a general purpose adhesive such as:
(Apel Usa) MITREAPEL HS100 Hot Glue Sticks
Weatherproof glass applications on a large and small scale:
The rest of this post delves deeper into the benefits and drawbacks of each type of glue when it comes to bonding glass.
Apel Usa Adhesives for Glass Bonding
Glue Sticks and Apel Usa Glue Guns
When a little amount of adhesive needs to be applied accurately, hot melt glue sticks are applied with hot melt guns. These applicators specialize in cutting off strings and trails and are frequently employed in tight locations in woodworking, packaging, bathroom and kitchen installations, and other applications.
But before you start pointing and squeezing your hot melt glue gun and glue sticks loose on a glass substrate, there are a few things you should do to create a firm bond:
- To begin, double-check that the glass is clean so that the adhesive adheres to it rather than any oils or solvents on the surface.
- To help the glue attach stronger and longer, rough en the regions to be bonded with an abrasive, such as wet and dry paper.
- Finally, make sure you’re using a hot melt glue stick designed for use on non-porous, hard surfaces like glass.
Silicone Adhesives
Silicone sealant is a liquid glue that resembles a gel in appearance, feel, and action. High-temperature, electric-grade, and multi-purpose versions are available. Commercial-grade extrusion machines, heavy-duty or crafting glue guns, and hand-held caulking equipment can all be used to apply silicone.
Because glass does not swell and shrink like wood, a flexible adhesive like silicone works well in high-stress bonding like those found in hard glass. Silicone is a strong adhesive, but its great flexibility and long curing time, compared to many other hot melts, make it a better fit for glass, vehicle engines, and other tight-but-flexible applications, rather than weight-bearing seals or those that must be painted over.
Silicone is commonly used to connect glass to itself, such as in aquariums, or to wood or plastic, such as in window and bathroom installations, because it is weather resistant, watertight, and resistant to mildew growth. Silicone is a fantastic adhesive for glass and a multitude of other substrates, as long as you know what type of silicone you’re using.
Acetoxy silicones are acetic acid-releasing silicones that cure fast. They connect well with a range of standard substrates, unlike most other silicones. Acetic acid emissions can be damaging to sensitive electronics and caustic in some applications, although some are biocompatible and can be utilized in medical device manufacturing.
oxime and alkoxy are neutral curing silicones that cure to yield methyl ethyl ketoxime and alcohol, respectively. This makes them non-corrosive, unlike their acetoxy cousins, and ideal for electronic applications.
Bonding Glass using Non-Hot Melt Adhesives
Epoxy
An exothermic process that cross-links polymers produces an epoxy cure. Chemicals, temperature, and other catalysts can be used to change the properties of this non-hot melt adhesive to make it suitable for almost any purpose. As a result, an epoxy bond can be applied to a wide range of materials, including glass.
Two-component epoxies, also known as two-part epoxies, cure at lower temperatures than one-component epoxies. Stability, temperature resistance, and cure times are all better with these adhesives. Even better, two-part epoxies can be made clear for use in high-visibility applications like glass installations.
Epoxy is an ideal option in industrial environments, such as aircraft and medical equipment, due to its high stability and ability to withstand harsh chemicals and tremendous heat.
Water, weather, ozone, oxygen, petroleum solvents, lubricating oils, jet fuels, gasoline, alcohol, salt solutions, mild acids and alkalis, and a variety of other organic and inorganic chemicals can all cause epoxies to degrade.
Super Glue
Super glue, also known as cyanoacrylate, is a versatile adhesive that may be used on a range of surfaces.
Because of its strong, clear, and waterproof bind, this non-hot melt adhesive is an excellent choice for glass surfaces. Super glue comes in a variety of viscosities, allowing it to be tailored to any application – whether it’s setting in seconds on a manufacturing line or setting in minutes, allowing it to be manipulated during a delicate installation.
Super glue has the ability to produce a bond that is as brittle as glass. Rubberized or plasticized versions, like our Rubber and Plastic Cyanoacrylate Super Glue, can provide a more flexible and long-lasting adhesive. It will, however, operate best in tensile settings (where pieces resist being pulled apart) rather than compressive situations (where elements resist being compressed) (being pushed together).
When putting super glue on glass, high-impact strength needs should be avoided, making it ideal for highly visible and delicate applications that won’t be handled or bear weight on a regular basis.
