PVA glue: composition, technical characteristics. PVA glue is a harmless substance with useful performance characteristics. What glues PVA glue?

PVA glue was invented back in 1912 in Germany, quickly entered human use and is now used in a wide variety of areas. The popularity of the product is due to its versatility and the absence of harm to health, especially since the chemical composition of the glue is constantly being improved, and this gives it new properties.

PVA glue: decoding and composition

PVA glue is a product of the chemical industry with excellent adhesive properties. The decoding of the abbreviation is simple: the letters denote the active substance - polyvinyl acetate, its composition is about 95%. The remaining glue formula looks different depending on the specific type of product. The composition may include:

DOS (stands for dioctyl sebacate);
dibutyl phthalate;
other plasticizers;
tricresyl phosphate;
acetone;
esters;
stabilizing additives;
preservatives;
water.

Some people try to make PVA with their own hands, using recipes based on flour and starch. In fact, these substances have nothing to do with the real glue base. Polyvinyl acetate is obtained by polymerizing vinyl acetate monomer. The finished substance cannot be dissolved in water - it only swells, it behaves similarly in oil solutions. PVA is resistant to temperature extremes, inert to the action of the air environment, non-toxic, not harmful to humans.

According to GOST, glue based on polyvinyl acetate must meet the following requirements:

the absence of a pronounced or unpleasant odor (this indicates a fake or expired glue);
type - a homogeneous milky-white mixture, sometimes beige or slightly yellowish;
the glue line becomes a viscous translucent film after drying;
the strength and elasticity of the seam are at a high level.

Depending on the needs of the user, the properties of the glue can be changed by adding other substances to its formula. For example, some construction PVA consists not only of polyvinyl acetate and plasticizers - kaolin, talc, chalk help to thicken the solution. To increase the water resistance, gasoline is introduced into the composition; to increase the elasticity, PVA is made with the addition of oils, glycerin, but this reduces the strength characteristics. Other possible additives to the glue composition:

defoamers;
cellulose;
metal chips;
glass chips;
nitro compounds;
styrene;
polysilicates of sodium, lithium, potassium.

Manufacturers of solid PVA adhesives in the form of pencils have to replace polyvinyl acetate with PVP (it can be deciphered as polyvinylpyrrolidone) or two components are combined. The specified substance is thicker and has high adhesive properties.

Advantages and disadvantages

The glue is very convenient to use, easy to apply, does not spread. When it is thick, it can be diluted with water, however, we are not talking about all types of PVA. How long does the product dry? Drying time depends on the ambient temperature, the area of application and is 12-24 hours, which is not a high indicator for adhesives.

Other advantages of the composition:

does not include substances harmful to the body, approved for use by children from 3 years old;
safe in contact with skin, you can use the product even without gloves;
is not flammable, explosive;
resistant to mechanical stress;
plastic, elastic, so the glue seam does not deteriorate under dynamic loads;
withstands several cycles of freezing and thawing;
can be used even in closed rooms due to the absence of an unpleasant odor and harmful fumes;
has a low consumption - 100-500 g / sq. m;
has excellent adhesive properties - up to 550 N / m;
does not collapse under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;
perfectly fills all cracks, cracks, gaps, pits;
sold in packages of various sizes;
can be used alone or as a base for primers, putties;
dried glue does not shrink, does not deform the glued product.

It is not difficult to wipe the glue stain from different surfaces. Despite its solubility only in chemicals, PVA is washed off with plain water. The tool also has disadvantages. The glue is not stored for too long - up to 6-12 months, after this time it is capable of irrevocably deteriorating. In the presence of additional chemical components, the degree of safety may change, and you will have to work with the glue using personal protective equipment.

Scope of use

The tool is most widely used in children's art. PVA is very popular in schools, kindergartens, circles, developing studios. The child does not need special clothing to work with it. You can remove stains in a regular washing machine. The glue will easily hold together paper, cardboard, threads, fabric, etc. When mixed with gouache, glue is painted on canvas, because such paint will be resistant, will not fade.

PVA is used in construction work: from gluing wallpaper to installing parquet, laminate, tiles. The adhesive is suitable for impregnating wood to make it water-repellent. When 5-10% PVA is added to an ordinary cement mortar, the ability of the latter to waterproof significantly increases, as does plasticity, adhesion to the base. 70 g of PVA per 10 liters of the bulk are added to the plaster. This helps to dry the coating quickly and also allows the mortar to adhere better to the wall.

Varieties and characteristics of PVA

There are several types of PVA glue, and its technical characteristics and field of application depend on the specific form. The tool is popular in everyday life and construction, among schoolchildren and housewives, it is only important to choose the right one for each individual case.

Household PVA glue

Usually it is recommended to use it instead of wallpaper glue for gluing heavy cloths - vinyl on a non-woven basis, fiberglass, photo wallpaper, fabric. It gives a good degree of adhesion to surfaces such as concrete, drywall, brick and plaster.

Household glue is great for working with cardboard, paper, foam rubber, textiles, decoupage with PVA is possible. Its consistency is moderately thick, it looks like a milky white liquid, sometimes with a yellow tinge. The glue is frost-resistant, withstands freezing up to -40 degrees and after defrosting retains its properties. At the expiration date, household PVA can go in lumps floating in a clear liquid. Most often, glue is produced in large cans, buckets.

The most popular brands of this type of PVA:

Big (Big);
Attomex (Atomex);
"Profilux";
White House.

PVA stationery glue

This type of glue (PVA-K) is similar to the previous one. Stationery PVA is also used for household needs, usually for crafts, children's creativity. It is available in liquid form in bottles, small jars (50-250 g), and also as a dry glue stick. To make the pencil glide on paper, manufacturers add a little glycerin to its composition.

The choice of such funds is the largest. The most famous adhesives of such companies:

"Ribbon";
Erich Krause (Erich Cruiser);
"365 days";
"Ray";
Office Space;
Attache
Adel;
Bic White Glue;
Dolce Gusto (Dolce Gusto);
"Centrum";
Deli (Delhi);
Berlingo.

One of the highest quality adhesives of this group is the American Elmers (Elmers). It is this colored PVA that is used to make toys "slimes" mixed with sodium tetraborate. It is not difficult to make slimes at home - you just need to combine PVA and sodium tetraborate in equal amounts. In order not to buy a fake, when buying Elmers glue, you need to request a certificate of conformity, clarify the TN VED code.

PVA universal glue

Universal glue is designated MB. It can glue different types of materials, it is used to bond items made of cardboard, wood, glass, leather. You can glue linoleum, serpyanka, carpet with glue, cover products with gold leaf. The tool is often introduced into the composition of building mixtures on a water-dispersion basis. The glue is moderately frost-resistant, withstands temperatures down to -20 degrees.

On sale you can also find a modification of PVA-MB, which is called PVA-M. It differs from the previous version in its low price, but the quality is also reduced. This tool is not recommended to work on materials other than cardboard, fabric, paper. The best brands of all-purpose adhesives:

"Lakra Extra";
"Tex Universal";
"Komus";
Schreiber;
"Navigator";
"Omega";
PVA-801;
Brauberg.

Superglue PVA

The composition of this product contains special additives, which, after drying, make the glue seam very durable. Super-PVA can be used not only for gluing wallpaper and household needs, but also for repairing tiles in the bathroom, in the kitchen. It will help to restore damaged areas, glue fallen off elements, replace cement mortar when facing small-sized floor coverings. The composition is moisture resistant (D3-D4), can withstand freezing up to -40 degrees, therefore it can be used in unheated rooms, for outdoor work. Popular brands:

Akron;
Novokhim;
"Moment Carpenter Super-PVA";
White House.

PVA construction glue

Household adhesives are not resistant to moisture, they are not recommended for use where the humidity is increased. Therefore, professionals prefer to use PVA construction glue - a waterproof composition (D3 or D4) in the form of an emulsion, which contains special polymerizing particles. Due to the special composition, the level of adhesion to the bases increases. PVA dispersion is also added to the composition of various building mixtures, primers, paints as a thickener and plasticizer. Further, such mixtures are used when laying bricks, installing tiles, pouring screeds.

Joiner's glue is considered a type of construction glue - it is used on wood, veneer, chipboard, fiberboard and other wood derivatives, chip materials. Joiner's glue is often called furniture glue - it is widely used in the production of furniture and components.

The moisture resistance of such products is marked with the letter D and a number from 1 to 4. The color is usually transparent, the viscosity is increased. Frost resistance is also high (up to -40 degrees), adhesives are suitable for outdoor use. The advantages of building PVA are also low consumption per 1 m2, resistance to UV radiation, high strength, no shrinkage, fast drying.

Popular Russian and foreign manufacturers that produce PVA of this group are as follows:

"Titanium";
"Contact";
Lakra Lux;
"Tex";
"Moment".

Factors Affecting Drying Time

Sometimes it is necessary to speed up the drying time for PVA, because at a cool temperature in an apartment it can be about a day. This also happens with a large glue application area, a too thick seam (under standard conditions, two pieces of paper glued together will dry out in 15 minutes). To start using the product faster, you must follow these instructions:

prepare the base in advance - remove dust, debris, degrease with acetone (degreasing will also help to cover the product with a uniform adhesive layer);
use a roller to apply glue, not a brush - this will make the layer thinner;
ensure tight compression of surfaces, for example, put the items to be glued under a press, clamp with a vice;
moderately raise the temperature - you need a construction or ordinary household hair dryer or placing an object in the microwave for a few seconds.

When heating, it is important not to overdo it: if the temperature of the glue joint is more than + 100 ... + 120 degrees, the PVA will begin to collapse.

Reasons and rules for dilution

What is the best method to use if the glue has thickened? The easiest way is to dilute it with water, adding it literally by the gram, so as not to make the composition too liquid. Water will not impair the properties of office and household adhesives. All other types of PVA, especially construction, are strictly prohibited to be diluted with water, they will lose their adhesive function. How to dilute such a composition is indicated on the package, usually acetone is suitable for this.

If you make the composition more liquid, its consumption will decrease. You can also dilute PVA to obtain a primer. Most commonly, 1 part glue is added to 5 parts water to create a high quality wall and ceiling primer. Sometimes it happens that the glue, on the contrary, needs to be made thickened to enhance its adhesion to the surface or to prevent deformation of thin materials. The composition is easily converted into a thicker state: you just need to leave the jar open for a day, and the excess moisture will evaporate.

To get a really high-quality connection of parts, you should follow the following recommendations:

Stir the glue well before use;
work with the composition at temperatures from +10 degrees, humidity up to 80%;
always apply the product to clean surfaces;
ensure the surface is dry;
grease one part with glue, an unnecessarily thick layer will only reduce the adhesion of the composition;
observe the thickness of the adhesive film up to 2 mm;
do not touch the product until it is completely dry.

Despite its low cost, PVA has excellent performance characteristics, therefore it does not lose its popularity in everyday life, at a construction site. The environmental friendliness and efficiency of the product allows it to be on the leaderboard, which is also facilitated by the availability of glue for any user.

In popularity today, this glue is unlikely to argue with the once most famous and widespread silicate glue. And the scope of its application, it seems, has no boundaries. With PVA glue, paper and fabric, wood and glass, leather and metal are glued.

In addition, PVA is a part of many paints and primers, putties and dry building mixtures.

How do the various PVA adhesives differ from each other, does it matter where which glue is used, and what a home craftsman needs to know in order to competently and with the greatest benefit use this truly versatile product of the chemical industry.

How PVA stands for, its composition

But, first of all, how is PVA deciphered? PVA is the abbreviation for Polyvinyl Acetate. We will not draw chemical formulas, they are unlikely to be very interesting to you, but let's say that the PVA glue contains an emulsion of this very polyvinyl acetate in water with various plasticizers and special additives that enhance certain properties of the glue, making it more prepared for application in a specific area. What PVA adhesives are used and where are used, we will analyze in this article, and also give some advice on the unconventional use of this wonderful composition.

What are PVA adhesives, their application

Even a rather sophisticated home craftsman does not always know which type of PVA glue will give him the best effect in a particular area. Let's try to figure it out together. Classification of PVA adhesives:

1. Household (wallpaper). It was created for this, withstands 6 freezing cycles up to a temperature of -40 °. Of course, it glues and much more, but we recommend using it for its intended purpose.

2. Stationery (PVA-K). Unlike most of its counterparts, it is not water-resistant and frost-resistant. These "weaknesses" must be taken into account, especially when trying to use building mixtures and mortars for additional plasticization. Buy another one.

3. Universal (PVA-MB). Glues everything listed at the beginning of the article, it is this composition that is most often used for the manufacture of concrete mixtures, primers and putties. With this glue, additional plasticization of any water-based building compounds is already allowed. Frost-resistant, withstands 6 freezing cycles up to a temperature of -20 °.

4. Super (PVA-M). In addition to everything that a station wagon glues, this glue is also intended for gluing ceramic tiles, felt-based linoleum, etc. It is frost-resistant, withstands 6 freezing cycles up to a temperature of -40 °.

5. PVA dispersion is the basis for all adhesive compositions. It is also used in industry not only as an adhesive, but also as a prescription part of multicomponent compositions. There are 2 types:

unplasticized;
plasticized.

Additional information on plasticization methods and technical characteristics of PVA dispersions is unlikely to be of interest to the average reader of this article, but many builders prefer to use it to improve the composition of building mixtures. Of course, not in the size of a euro-cube or barrel, but in a smaller package available in the assortment of many large hardware stores.

Some manufacturers of PVA-based adhesives are slightly expanding their classification to attract customers. This is how PVA building glue appeared, which is positioned as a composition that exceeds universal in its properties. Sometimes the names of several types of adhesives are used at the same time. In such cases, before using the glue, you need to read what materials it is intended for gluing - here the manufacturer will be more careful and will not write that it is with this glue that ceramic tiles can be glued if it is intended for paper.

It remains to add that some types of PVA adhesives are directly made for narrow applications. This does not mean that they cannot glue the same paper or cardboard, they just contain additives for the best adhesion of specific materials.

PVA and dry building mixtures

As a matter of fact, dry mortars have become widely available because the PVA dispersion has been dried and made available in powder form.

Any building mixture consists of:

filler, which is most often quartz sand, but it can also be chalk, expanded clay, etc .;
a binder, which is cement, lime, gypsum;
chemical additives, which are often based on dispersion powder based on PVAD.

Of course, in addition to this powder, there are other chemical additives, but their composition and quantity in different mixtures is different. We mention this in general so that a prudent owner can save money in some cases, understanding the essence.

Namely. All chemistry in building mixtures accounts for 2 to 5%, everything else is filler and binder. When buying a cement building mixture, you often buy cement and sand for an expensive price. And drying the PVA dispersion pretty much adds cost, so that as a result you dilute it with water and get the same PVA. And as the rest of the chemistry, for most not very special mixtures, some liquid soap or even washing powder in the amount of 2 - 3% of the amount of binder is quite suitable. At worst, even shavings from laundry soap will do.

PVA glue to replace building compounds

Now that the essence of getting trendy formulations has become clearer, we can detail some of them a little more.

And let's start with the simplest.

1. Almost any type of finishing work is preceded by priming the surface. Most manufacturers recommend doing this only with their primer, the most that neither is the deepest penetration. But a 10% solution of PVA glue (better still, dispersed) will penetrate just as well and provide excellent adhesion of the material. Try it and see for yourself. And if you add some kind of dye for water-based paints to this composition, you get an excellent impregnation paint for concrete, which allows you to create wonderful illusions of natural stone and brick. You will only need to varnish it.

2. The cheapest finishing putty will turn out if chalk is mixed with PVA to thicken sour cream, although for deep cracks it can be made thicker. It is clear that the composition within a wide range can be regulated by a certain amount of water. There are 2 disadvantages that you just need to consider:

long drying time;
the complexity of machining the finished surface due to high temperatures in the processing area from the friction of the working tool.

3. Gypsum putty, like an analogue of drywall glue, is obtained by mixing 1 part of gypsum, 2 parts of chalk and all the same PVA glue. But by experimenting a little with the ratios, you can get the perfect product that fits your style and rhythm. The same gypsum or cement mixed with PVA will become an excellent filler for a concrete floor, sometimes it will be useful to add fine sand to this composition. And, no matter in what ratio you prepare a cement-sand mixture, depending on the brand and quality of cement, fraction and quality of sand, if you add a glass of dispersed or even universal PVA to a bucket and detergent, as described above, you will be successful replace most of the trendy mixes.

4. Most consider PVA glue to be the best for gluing wood. And although modern polyurethane adhesives in some places began to crowd out PVA from this area, their relative high cost will not be able to do this everywhere.

And there is nothing to say about home use - here PVA will not have competitors for a long time.

But wood is a fairly soft material, often seriously damaged even with minor negligence in handling. And here PVA can become an irreplaceable assistant. If you mix it with wood dust, which can be found freely in any wood industry, then we get a putty called "liquid wood". By varying its consistency, you can obtain a composition that can cope with the deepest wounds on wooden surfaces, as well as products from fiberboard, chipboard and MDF.

5. It remains to add that, given the presence of PVA in the form of a redispersible powder in many building compositions (which can be read on the packaging), we can successfully increase the degree of plasticization of these very compositions by introducing an additional amount of PVA into the finished mixture.

So, when applying a bark beetle mixture using a Hopper plaster gun for exterior decoration of buildings, we recommend adding dispersed PVA at the rate of 1 liter per 25 kg of the mixture. This will make the solution more plastic and subsequently even more resistant to external influences.

At the same time, you can safely add a dye there, PVA will help them combine into a great mixture.

Dear readers, if you have any questions, ask them using the form below. We will be glad to communicate with you;)

Comments11 comments

Bravo! I fully support your point of view on fashionable blends.

Moreover, for more than 40 years I have been using a mixture of creamy cement mortar (without sand) and good (imported) PVA, about 1 tbsp. spoon per liter of solution (more or less is determined empirically, depending on the purpose of the solution).
As an example from my own experience, I can say the following:
1. The tile sticks tightly to any surface. I glued 10 mm of plywood to a sheet to close the pipes in the toilet, so after drying, when I tried to unbend a slightly bent sheet (I had to bend it a little in the opposite position at the beginning), several tiles just burst in the center of the sheet, but none of them lagged behind and kept dead for about 40 years. The only peculiarity is that the tiles must be moistened with a 10% solution of the same PVA before gluing so that the solution adheres to the base of the tile, and not only to the chalk layer, which is why the tiles usually peel off from the surface. This solution is irreplaceable when gluing tiles on walls covered with oil paint and when repairing peeled tiles.
2. As a putty for wood, it can be used for the initial filling of cracks or flaws in furniture and wooden structures of any depth with practically no shrinkage.
3. Used also when joining cast iron plumbing pipes instead of chasing. It turns out that the connection is so dead that it excludes the possibility of its further disassembly if necessary! At least I had to just smash one of the connected pipes

That is, it turns out cheap and cheerful and without any bells and whistles and fashionable mixes!

What does the word pwa mean.

PVA is polyvinyl acetate

Hello! Please tell me what kind of PVA can be used to repair hunting skis (crack and peeling)? Thanks.

You can use any of the PVA adhesives, except for pure stationery, in which there is too little concentration. We recommend taking either dispersed (it says so on it) or construction - they are more expensive, but also of a higher concentration. In your case, an important role will be played not so much by the adhesive composition as by the good pressure of the peeled layer after the application of the glue. To do this, you can pour a small amount of sand into a strong plastic bag, put it on the glued layer and pull the ski with clamps through the board (boards). After drying, polyethylene will easily come off from the protruding glue. Excess can be removed with an emery cloth and varnished surface. If there are deep chips, then seal them up using the method described in the article, preparing the so-called. "Liquid tree". It is important here to take your time and let the glue fully polymerize.

after the repair of the tile, PVA building glue remained, can it be used for gluing wood?

sure

From PVA glue, you can independently make a high-quality putty for wood. To do this, it is necessary to mix the glue with fine sawdust to the consistency of thick sour cream. This putty can be used on any wood surface. It has excellent adhesion, does not shrink when dry, and adheres firmly to the surface. This putty interacts well with various varnishes and paints, and is a versatile tool for home craftsmen.

Hello everyone. I have a question for specialists and just knowledgeable people. When building a private house, I used OSB boards for exterior decoration. So the question is: facade paint does not hold on to OSB, I decided to paste over the OSB with fiberglass (cobweb) using PVA. How correct is my idea? Can PVA be used for outdoor work? Is it possible to paint walls over PVA, and if so, with what?

Good afternoon.
We are engaged in the manufacture of plaster artificial decorative stone (tiles)
I saw in the article information about the possibility of using PVA.
PLEASE give more specific recommendations for use.

Hello! I liked your article very much! I am not an expert, but I like to do a lot on my own. And of course the savings !!! But I'm a little confused. Can you help me? I have four jobs to do: 1) gluing a film on a fabric backing to a plastered wall, 2) installing a ceiling foam plinth (PVA is needed to add it to the finishing putty), 3) gluing the ceiling with decorative crumpled paper, such as thin parchment ON an already glued ceiling tile ! And 4) try to make an "acrylic fill", this is something like a modern abstract painting. Can also make an economical primer. My question is: which one of the PVA adhesives do I need, or do I still need several, such as household / wallpaper PVA, PVA-MB ...? Can you answer my mail, please?

Humanity has not yet invented an adhesive more versatile than PVA. Of course, there are a lot of adhesives, but only PVA has such a wide coverage of all kinds of applications. But what lies behind this name - PVA glue, what technical characteristics and features does it conceal, is it not harmful to health?

Polyvinyl acetate - what is behind this word?

Polyvinyl acetate does not belong to that group of polymers (polyethylene, polystyrene), which are always in the foreground. PVA is content with an inconspicuous, but very important role - we will find it in the composition of paints, between glued furniture boards, on a shiny paper covering, in concrete or plaster. But not every building material of such popularity will have a century-old history - for the first time PVA was obtained back in 1912, and after a few years its production on an industrial scale was established.

Today, polyvinyl acetate can be found both in the carpenter's workshop and in the student's pencil case. Like more than a hundred years ago, this material is affordable, easy to use and non-toxic, so manufacturers are following a logical path - they are improving the proven polyvinyl acetate and formulations with its use. PVA glue is one of such compositions, what is called a dispersion, or, simply put, a solution of polyvinyl acetate.

PVA glue - composition and technical characteristics

The world production of PVA glue exceeds the mark of one million tons annually. In its composition, polyvinyl acetate occupies the leading role - 95%, and the remaining 5% remain for all kinds of plasticizers, which give the formulations plasticity and good frost resistance, as well as additives that improve adhesion.

The technical characteristics of the universal PVA glue are in its low consumption - depending on the type of work, from 100 to 900 grams per square meter. The station wagon dries up within a day, withstands 4 freeze-thaw cycles, it is stored, on average, about six months without changes. The PVA solution is not flammable and not explosive; when used, it does not emit harmful substances into the air.

PVA glue is suitable for gluing a wide variety of surfaces. However, adding certain components to the classic PVA, manufacturers have mastered special compositions that are effective in various fields of application. For example, wallpaper glue is produced specifically for gluing wallpaper, which provides adhesion between a wooden or concrete wall and paper.

The glue labeled "Super" is applicable on a different scale - it is used to glue not only wallpaper, but also linoleum, and even facing tiles. "Super" glues porcelain, leather, fabric, provides adhesion to surfaces such as chipboard. The universal adhesive is suitable for bonding different combinations of surfaces, for example, when you need to bond wood and tiles, cardboard and metal, linoleum and concrete. Joiner's PVA is used for gluing pieces of furniture into a single frame. Such a composition is characteristic in that, when solidified, it forms a translucent solid layer that tightly adheres to wooden surfaces.

For greater strength, elements lubricated with glue are clamped in a vice for at least several hours, and sometimes for a day.

Building PVA is a dispersion designed to be added to a wide variety of building solutions and compositions. To increase elasticity and durability, it is added to cement and lime mortars, plaster, primers. Sometimes it is used as a soil, but this solution is only suitable for cheap repairs, for example, in a utility room.

A separate type of PVA also includes a homopolymer dispersion, which has the highest adhesion strength. This dispersion is used in the textile industry, glass and porcelain industry, in the production of materials for repair and construction. "Moment", a type of glue that tends to quickly set in air, should also be included in a separate category. Most often, this is used when installing laminate or parquet.

PVA is used in the tobacco industry - it is one of the components of the material from which cigarette filters are made. Emulsions with a low concentration of polyvinyl acetate in the textile industry are impregnated with fabrics and fabrics, which are then used for sewing clothes - this gives them greater wear resistance, density, elasticity. On the basis of PVA emulsions, water-repellent mixtures are made, which also impregnate fabrics.

PVA has become an element of paint formulations practically from the moment of its invention. PVA-containing paints have high elasticity, wear resistance, cover well surfaces of stone, concrete, wood, plaster, metal. And in combination with plasticizers, such mixtures form a glossy film with increased tensile strength. Even pencils and corks are made using this glue, and the popular children's toy "smart plasticine" is nothing more than polyvinyl acetate with additives from dyes and sodium tetraborate.

It would seem that working with PVA glue is nowhere easier. The material is non-toxic and harmless to the skin and eyes; you will only need protective equipment from accidental splashes. However, there are nuances in any business, and ignorance of them can significantly spoil your life. Most often, problems arise with paper surfaces that need to be glued, for example, wallpaper or gluing photos to a family album. There is a general rule - the glue should be applied to a less porous surface, since it absorbs the composition more slowly.

For work you will need (depending on the volume): a roller, a brush or a foam sponge. If the glue needs to be applied pointwise, but there is no special nozzle on the container with glue, or it has become unusable, use an ordinary syringe (without a needle) or a pipette. After use, they can be rinsed with water and used for other purposes. Apply the adhesive from the center to the edges - this way you will less stain the wrong side with glue. You need to work quickly, as the glue dries faster on paper than on other surfaces.

To expel air bubbles from under the surface, place a sheet of waxed paper on top and iron by hand, or with a hard roller, from center to edge. If the thickness of the surfaces is different, smooth the thinner ones. For even, strong gluing, the materials must always be pressed together, and even better - put under a press or clamped in a vice, as is done when gluing wood. Pressing the glued surfaces will also prevent the materials from warping.

When gluing paper, a very important factor is the so-called "archival" and acidity. Ordinary glue based on polyvinyl acetate can turn yellow after a few years - it is unlikely that yellow spots on the gluing sites will decorate your family scrapbook. Among PVA-based adhesives, there are not so many such compositions, one of them is wallpaper glue. Of course, there is no need to glue such photos into an album, there are also acid-free and "archival" adhesives among the stationery adhesives, although it is quite difficult to find them.

When gluing, you may encounter such a situation - one of the layers, under the influence of the tension of the second, begins to bend. For example, a thin sheet is soaked and, drying up, shrinks, bending the denser sheet on which it is glued. In this case, the way out is quite simple - glue the same thin sheet on the back of the thick layer, which will serve as a counterweight.

The most optimal form of joining two objects from the point of view of aesthetics is gluing. It does not require punching and does not leave any marks when done carefully.

PVA glue is the most recognizable substance all over the world, which is used for various household and industrial operations. It is distinguished by its ease of use, high level of reliability and affordable price. With its help, many objects are glued, from paper to ceramics.

The composition of the glue

The composition of PVA glue is quite simple. It includes an aqueous emulsion of polyvinyl acetate and special additives that give the mixture plasticizing properties. One of the main features of a substance is the ability to withstand deformation without breaking. The glue line will be flexible enough to make folds on the paper that has been glued with PVA. Many other grades crystallize upon drying, so any attempt to bend them will break.

This should be taken into account when choosing an adhesive for a particular type of work. Also, the composition includes the so-called additives that improve the properties of the substance and allow it to maintain a liquid consistency in a sealed package. Before use, the glue must be shaken until a homogeneous mass is formed. A film often forms on the surface, which will have to be carefully removed and discarded, since it is not suitable for use.

Types of glue

There are several different brands on the market, which differ slightly in composition due to their intended functions. Each model has a corresponding inscription on the packaging, indicating the possibilities of its use.

The main options for today:

1. PVA household glue - used exclusively for working with paper and paper wallpaper. Can adhere them to plastered, concrete or wood surfaces. In appearance, it is a white or beige liquid with a slight odor. Old glue may appear yellow. It is suitable for use only if its components are not lumped together. This is easy to notice, since when trying to squeeze the glue out of the tube, only a yellowish liquid will pour out. In this case, you will have to discard the entire packaging. The adhesive can withstand temperatures down to -40 degrees Celsius.
2. Stationery PVA glue - used for joining paper or cardboard. Compositionally more liquid than the brand from the first paragraph, it also has a white or beige tint. Unlike household glue, it does not have frost-resistant properties.
3. Universal PVA glue - used for working with paper, cardboard, wood, leather and glass. It has very strong adhesion parameters, therefore it adheres well to slippery surfaces. Shows frost-resistant properties with temperatures down to -20 degrees Celsius.
4. PVA super glue - reinforced standard grade. It has a special composition that greatly enhances the strength of the glue seam. This substance can even be used for laying ceramic tiles on the wall or linoleum on the floor. It has good frost resistance and does not deteriorate at temperatures down to -40 degrees, so it can be used in unheated rooms.
5. PVA construction glue - rarely used in its pure form. It mainly serves as a reinforcing additive in mortars for masonry of bricks, tiles and other materials. Possesses good frost resistance, therefore, it is applicable, including for outdoor work. The amount of glue added to the solution depends on the type of work for which the mixture is being prepared. You can find out "recipes" on construction forums or specialized repair sites.

It is worth considering the fact that it is the glue seam that has high frost resistance, and not the substance itself in a liquid state. It is made on a water basis, so it quickly freezes in the cold, and after thawing is no longer suitable for use. Therefore, manufacturers recommend choosing rooms for working with glue where the temperature is at least +6 degrees Celsius. Otherwise, the operation will be difficult and the ultimate success is not guaranteed. You can see the liquid and frozen PVA glue in the photo on the Internet.

Main characteristics

The technical characteristics of PVA glue can be summarized as the following list:

- high resistance of the glue line to frost and mechanical bending (elasticity is comparable to the elasticity of the paper itself);
- featuring an adhesive ability that is comparable to much more expensive and complex analogues in composition and method of preparation;
- the composition does not include toxic substances, so that the glue can be used in an enclosed space, and it is also absolutely safe for children;
- does not burn or explode under any conditions;
- it dissolves well in organic acids, but cannot be brought back to life after solidification, since it completely loses its sticky properties;
- a thin layer of glue will be absolutely invisible, which increases the aesthetics of handicrafts and allows it to be used in various handicrafts;
- can be used at a relative humidity of not more than 80%.

DIY PVA

As you can see, the glue has good performance parameters, which, coupled with an affordable price, made it the most common model. Moreover, it can be prepared at home as well. Many are interested in the question of how to make PVA glue? You can read about it on almost any homemade advice site:

1. First you have to go shopping to purchase everything you need. We need the following list of ingredients:

distilled water (one liter);
photographic gelatin (one 5-gram pack);
glycerin (four grams);
wheat flour of the highest or first grade (100 grams);
ethyl alcohol (20 milliliters).

2. When all the components are purchased, you can start cooking. At the first stage, gelatin is soaked in water and the mixture is left to infuse for a day. In this case, no special conditions are needed, but it is worth taking a metal container for this purpose, which has no food use.

3. In a day, you can start direct gluing. The container with gelatin is placed in a water bath and, stirring constantly, all the components purchased in advance are added to it, except for alcohol and glycerin.

4. Boil the mixture until a sour cream-like substance is obtained in consistency. In color, by the way, it will also be similar to this dairy product.

5. Then remove the container from the heat and add the missing components to it. It is very important to mix everything thoroughly until a homogeneous composition is formed without lumps and solid impurities. This can take about 10-15 minutes.

In such a simple way, you can cook PVA right in your kitchen. If everything is done in compliance with the specified technology, then in terms of properties it will not differ from the purchased model. It is also worth preparing in advance for its storage an opaque container with a hermetically sealed lid. Otherwise, it will not be possible to save your glue, and it will simply harden in the open air.

If you need a larger amount of substance, for example, to carry out repairs, then you just need to proportionally increase the consumption of components in the required number of times. The infusion time of gelatin will not change.

PVA glue is used for gluing paper, cardboard, fabrics. It is used as a binder additive in dry building mixtures, plaster and filler compounds. PVA glue composition: PVA dispersion, thickener, stabilizer, water.

Application

Stir the PVA glue thoroughly before use, clean the glued surfaces from dust and dirt. Apply a thin layer of glue to one of the surfaces to be glued, connect to the other and press down. Setting time 1 minute. Application by brush or roller. Air temperature during application is not lower than + 100 ° С. Forms a transparent, elastic, high-strength adhesive seam. After work, rinse the tool and hands with warm water.

Properties

The time of complete drying at a temperature of + 20 ° C and a relative humidity of at least 65% is 24-48 hours (depending on the thickness of the adhesive applied). The material is non-toxic, fire and explosion proof, well diluted with water. In contact with skin, it is easily washed off with water. Avoid contact with eyes.

Consumption

50 - 300 g per 1m² depending on the surface structure. For an accurate calculation of the consumption, it is recommended to carry out a test application on the surface.

Frost resistance of the finished coating: after complete drying, the coating can withstand temperatures from -50 C to +50 C.