Introduction
A Short Introduction To Adhesives
What Is An Adhesive
An adhesive is any non-metallic substance that joins things together through surface attachment and resists separation. Informally, the words glue and adhesive are used interchangeably.
Glues can be divided into two large groups – natural glues which are derived from plant or animal sources and synthetic which are made from synthetic polymers.
Natural Glue
Natural glue is derived from animal and plant byproducts.
Animal Glue is prepared by treating the hide, bone, and other tissues of animals with acids, alkalies, or hot water to release collagens. Collagens are proteins. Animal glue traditionally has been used in wood joining and book bindery, but it has largely been replaced by synthetic adhesives.
Casein Glue
Casein Glue is prepared by treating casein, a milk protein, with water and alkali. It is used to glue wood because it is more moisture resistant and ages better than animal glues.
Blood Albumen Glue
Blood Albumen Glue is prepared by treating serum albumen, a component of animal blood, with water and alkali. It is used in the plywood industry.
Plant Glues
Starch Glues
Starch Glue is prepared by extracting starch or dextrin from corn, wheat, potatoes, or rice. Starch glues are used for wallpaper adhesive, packaging, and corrugated board.
Natural Gums
Natural gums are sugars derived from various plants. The most commonly used gums are:
- Agar is prepared by extracting a jelly-like substance from red algae with hot water. It is then purified by freezing.
- Algin is prepared by digesting brown seaweed in alkali and precipitating either the calcium salt or alginic acid.
- Gum arabic is the sap harvested from acacia trees. It purified and ground into a fine powder.
- Natural latex is the sap of the Hevea tree. It is purified and then disolved with vaious solvents to produce an adhesive.
Synthetic Glue
Synthetic glue is derived from synthetic polymers.
thermoplastics
thermosets
How Do Adhesives Work
Wet Adhesives
Commonly called glue, wet adhesives come in several forms – liquid, paste, gel, or spray. They work well with non-porous items like metal or plastic. They are superior at attaching irregularly shaped embellishments.
Glue Stick
A glue stick looks and works like a lipstick tube. It is a combination applicator and storage container for a solid stick of adhesive. You apply it just like lipstick by gently rubbing the adhesive on the project’s surface.
When Do You Use Them
They are a neat and convenient replacement for contact cement. So you can use it for mounting things like photos when you are scrapbooking or cardmaking. They can also replace hot glue for small embellishments.
Aubry’s Choice For Best Glue Stick
My choice is Elmer’s CraftBond Glue Sticks. They come in both repositionable and permanent formulations. I like the way they apply smoothly. Since they are acid-free, they are papercraft and photo-friendly. Because they are washable, cleanup is more manageable. Their non-toxic glue makes them kid-safe. Plus, they are widely available.
The 5 Best Glue Sticks For Paper Crafts
You can read my evaluation of glue sticks in The 5 Best Glue Sticks For Paper Crafts. It may change your mind about them.
Glue Pen
A glue pen is a liquid glue applicator shaped like a pen. Because you hold it like a pen, you can write or draw with it. So you get precise control over glue placement.
When Do You Use Them
You can use them when you need precise placement of embellishments for scrapbooking or card making. They are also handy when making paper flowers and card models.
Aubry’s Choice For Best Glue Pen
My choice is the Kuretake Zig Memory System Glue Pen. Its two-way formulation gives me both permanent and temporary bonds. Plus, I can choose lots of gluing options with the four different tips. I like how smoothly they go on. They are acid-free and photo-safe, so they are paper-craft friendly. Plus, they are widely available.
The 5 Best Glue Pens For Paper Crafts
You can read my evaluation of glue pens in The 5 Best Glue Pens For Paper Crafts. It helps you select the right one for your needs.
Tacky Glue
Tacky glue is a thick, fast-grabbing formulation of PVA (polyvinyl acetate) glue that adheres on contact.
Tacky glue really solves two big problems for papercrafters. First, it is a fast-grab wet adhesive, so you don’t have to clamp things. Second, it is thick, so it stays put and doesn’t run.
When Do You Use It
Tacky glue is an all-purpose glue used on paper, foamcore, posterboards, card stock, and cardboard.
It is also used to attach embellishments made of wood, metal, glass, ceramics, and most plastics.
Aubry’s Choice For Best Tacky Glue
My choice is Aleene’s Tacky Glue. It is hard to go wrong with the inventor of tacky glue. Today, they offer multiple formulations that fine-tune the original. Plus, they have added an acid-free photo-safe version. They also have made it much easier to use by delivering it in different kinds of packages.
The 3 Best Tacky Glues For Paper Crafts
You can read my evaluation of tacky glues in The 3 Best Tacky Glues For Paper Crafts. It helps you select the right one for your needs.
Dry Adhesives
Dry adhesives are effective for flat surfaces that are porous such as chipboard, paper, and card stock.
Tape Runner
A tape runner is a handheld tool that neatly dispenses double-sided tape. They come in a range of sizes, from small palm-sized dispensers to large-capacity gun-style units.
When Do You Use Them
They work well when you want to invisibly mount things like photos for scrapbooking or cardmaking. They neatly join layers and pieces for paper airplanes and card models.
Aubry’s Choice For Best Tape Runner
I recommend Tombow tape runners. The palm-sized dispenser reaches even tight spaces. They come in multiple formulations. I like the way they apply smoothly. They are paper-craft-friendly. Plus, they are widely available.
The 5 Best Tape Runners For Paper Crafts
I pick out the best tape runners in The 5 Best Tape Runners For Paper Crafts. You may need more than one, depending on the kind of projects you do.
Adhesive Dots
Adhesive dots are also called glue dots or glue tabs. They are disks or rectangles of double-sided, pressure-sensitive adhesives which bond instantly.
When Do You Use Them
You can use them when you need a clean, instant bonding alternative to hot glue, tape, or wet adhesive. I use glue dots to add embellishments when I am scrapbooking or cardmaking. They are good with photos and gift tags.
Aubry’s Choice For Best Adhesive Dots
My choice is Glue Dots®. They come in multiple profiles, diameters, and tacks. The dots made for crafters are acid-free and non-toxic. You can get them in plastic dispensers like tape rollers. I really like how convenient they are. But you can also get them in bulk boxes.
The 5 Best Adhesive Dots For Paper Crafts
You can check out my evaluation of glue sticks in The 5 Best Adhesive Dots For Paper Crafts. It goes into greater depth on how to select the right one for your needs.
Final Thoughts
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