Owning decades of experience in the adhesives industry affords us the ability to see what types of products work with certain applications. As technology advances, it’s common to find better methods of adhering or sealing, and to spot shortcomings or faults with products or techniques. This is especially common for us at Chemical Concepts and for our trusted partners, like Permabond, as rigorous and repetitive testing is ingrained in our work culture, constantly looking for the best and most efficient options for our clients.

Cyanoacrylates

It used to be understood that standard grade cyanoacrylate adhesives were plenty effective for bonding glass. However, both time and thorough testing have proven that perhaps these are not the best adhesive choice for glass, especially in the long run.

The problem with cyanoacrylates bonding glass is their rapid cure time. Because of this, stress can and likely will be created in the bond as a result of a very quick cure. These stresses then can easily expose the brittle nature of these adhesives, causing break down in the long term. To add insult to injury, the thermal expansion that can be anticipated between glass and bond can further this weakness and drive the bond to failure.

Although we feel that we do have evidence that cyanoacrylates typically aren’t the best choice for bonding glass, we aren’t ready to be totally absolute. Cyanoacrylates can work well to position glass before and during the curing process of another adhesive type. Also, they can be used effectively where stressors are reduced, like thinner glass or lower load applications. These are less likely to degrade over time and a rubber toughened cyanoacrylate, like Permabond’s 737 for instance, may just semi-permanently do the job.

UV Curable Adhesives

In a recent blog we detailed the benefits and characteristics of UV cure adhesives. It just so happens that these types are usually the best bet for glass bonding scenarios, according to experts and experienced glass workers. Permabond’s UV series (UV610, UV620, UV625, & UV632) provides strong, quick curing bonds for decorative and structural glass applications. These flexible and stress absorbing solutions work well with glass to glass and glass to metal applications, even having the brawn to support load bearing joints.

As a whole, this class of UV curable adhesives features a totally clear and non-yellowing appearance, making them appropriate bonding tools for glass furniture, display cases, or anywhere that calls for “invisible joints.” Each Permabond UV cure product too has a different specialty, from the structurally strong UV610 to the UV632, the ideal choice for bonding acrylic materials. These products bond an array of applications, and below are a few others where these UV Cure adhesives can be used with great results:

• Art Glass
• Lamp Shades
• Glassware
• Doors
• Mirrors
• Shelving
• Cabinets (display and bathroom)
• Decorative door and window bevels

Thanks so much for following our blog! If you have any questions about our products, brands, or markets, or you wish to talk with one of our experts, don’t hesitate to get a hold of us!

[email protected] – 800.220.1966