Characteristics, Properties, & Applications of Common Glue Classifications for Woodworking

Glue is an important and integral substance used in woodworking.  It is a term used to define substances that are capable of permanently bonding materials together.  The term glue is sometimes used interchangeably with other terms such as adhesives, cements, or pastes.  For simplicity, the term “glue” will be used to define the various bonding agents in this report.  There are many variables involved with woodworking, and they can determine the best type of glue that should be used for the job.  The various characteristics in the wood species play an important role in this decision making process.  Some of these characteristics include:  hardness, texture, grain pattern, density, porosity, as well as moisture and oil content. For more specific information concerning wood species, refer to “Characteristics and Properties of Wood Species and Their Applications to Wood Projects.”   Atmospheric conditions, such as temperature and humidity should also be considered.  In addition, physical locations where the wood projects will be used or displayed play an important role, such as interior use and exterior use, which also includes marine and submersible applications, such as boat hulls.

To insure a greater success, the woodworker must also know the physical characteristics of the glue types that are available.  Some of the glue classifications include: Animal Glue (Hide Glue), Casein Glue, Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA), Plastic Resin, Resin, Resorcinol Resin, Epoxy Resin, Urea resin, Contact Cement, and Cyanoacrylate Glues.  Some of the glue characteristics and properties for each classification are listed: such as composition, color, strength, cure time, best set-up temperature, water  resistance, types of materials to be bonded, and gap filling properties.  Also included are the solvents, some of the main uses of each type of glue, as well as a quick reference list of manufacturers that make each classification of glue.  The following lists are not intended to be totally inclusive of all the glue manufactures in the world.  Nor are they intended to be complete lists of all the glue classifications that each manufacturer makes.  Hopefully though, the following information will be a helpful resource for woodworkers of all levels.

Casein Glue

• Composition: Milk Curds (Mix Casein Powder with Water) 
• Dry Color: Transparent
• Strength: Strong 
• Cure Time: 3 Hours
• Set-Up Temp.: 35 Degrees or Above 
• Water Resistance: Water Resistant 
• Bonding Materials: Most Species of Wood, Including Oily & Resinous Wood
• Gap Filling: Good
• Solvent: Water
• Main Uses: Indoor Wood Projects, Toy Construction, Models
• Comments: Non- Toxic, Will Stain Oak & Maple, Good For Outdoor and Cold Temperatures, Limited Commercial Wood Use

Animal Glue

• Composition: Milk Curds (Mix Casein Powder with Water) 
• Dry Color: Transparent
• Strength: Strong 
• Cure Time: 3 Hours
• Set-Up Temp.: 35 Degrees or Above 
• Water Resistance: Water Resistant 
• Bonding Materials: Most Species of Wood, Including Oily & Resinous Wood
• Gap Filling: Good
• Solvent: Water
• Main Uses: Indoor Wood Projects, Toy Construction, Models
• Comments:

Polyvinyl Acetate Glue (PVA)

• Composition: Chemicals (Pre-Mixed Liquid)
• Dry Color: Transparent
• Strength: Average 
• Cure Time: 24 Hours
• Set-Up Temp.: 55 Degrees or Above 
• Water Resistance: Not Very Resistant
• Bonding Materials: Wood
• Gap Filling: Poor
• Solvent: Water
• Main Uses: Wood Projects, All-Purpose Household Glue
• Comments: Known as White Glue, Indoor Use Only

Plastic Resin Glue

• Composition: Chemicals (Mix Powdered Resin with Water)
• Dry Color: Light colored (Not Totally Transparent)
• Strength: Very Strong 
• Cure Time: 16 Hours
• Set-Up Temp.: 70 Degrees or Above 
• Water Resistance: Water Resistant
• Bonding Materials: Wood
• Gap Filling: Poor
• Solvent: Water
• Main Uses: Wood Projects, All-Purpose Household Glue
• Comments: Do No Use With Oily Woods, Non-Staining

Aliphatic Resin Glue

• Composition: Chemical (Pre-Mixed Liquid)
• Dry Color: Pale Yellow
• Strength: Stronger Than PVA Glues 
• Cure Time: 24 Hours
• Set-Up Temp.: 45 Degrees or Above 
• Water Resistance: Not Water Resistant
• Bonding Materials: Wood
• Gap Filling: Poor
• Solvent: Water
• Main Uses: Wood Projects, Furniture, Casings,  All Purpose Household Carpentry Projects
• Comments: Also Known as Yellow Glue or Carpenter’s Glue, Indoor Use Only, Use on Porous Materials

Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Resin Glue

• Composition: Chemical (Mix Powder Resin with Catalyst)
• Dry Color: Dark Purple
• Strength: Very Strong
• Cure Time: 16 Hours
• Set-Up Temp.: 70 Degrees or Above 
• Water Resistance: Water Proof
• Bonding Materials: Wood
• Gap Filling: Good
• Solvent: Acetone
• Main Uses: Wood Outdoors Projects, Under Water Use, such as Boat Hulls
• Comments: Thermal Setting Glue

Epoxy Resin Glue

• Composition: Chemical (Mix Resin with Polyamine Hardener)
• Dry Color: Can Be Transparent or Opaque, Depending on Use
• Strength: Very Strong
• Cure Time: 24 Hours
• Set-Up Temp.: 35 Degrees or Above 
• Water Resistance: Water Resistant
• Bonding Materials: Wood, Glass, Metal, Plastics, Stone, & Ceramics
• Gap Filling: Yes
• Solvent: Acetone
• Main Uses: Circuit Boards, Electrical Insulating, Attaching Ceramic Tile, Attaching Metal to Wood  
• Comments: Ideal for Bonding Most Dissimilar Materials,Thermal Setting Glue, Great For Non-Porous Materials

Urea-Formaldehyde Resin Glue

• Composition: Chemical (Mix Formaldehyde Resin with Catalyst)
• Dry Color: Pale White
• Strength: Extremely Strong
• Cure Time: 12 Hours
• Set-Up Temp.: 70 Degrees or Above 
• Water Resistance: Water Resistant
• Bonding Materials: Wood, Steel, Plastics, Concrete
• Gap Filling: Poor
• Solvent: Water
• Main Uses: Laminations, Veneering, Textiles  
• Comments: Thermosetting Resin, Toxic, Use with Gloves, Goggles, & a Respirator

Polyurethane Resin Glue

• Composition: Chemical (Pre-Mixed Liquid) 
• Dry Color: Tan
• Strength: Strong
• Cure Time: 2 Hours
• Set-Up Temp.: 40 Degrees or Above 
• Water Resistance: Water Resistant
• Bonding Materials: Wood, Stone, Ceramics, Metal, Dissimilar Materials
• Gap Filling: Poor
• Solvent: Denatured Alcohol
• Main Uses: Household Repairs and Small Projects  
• Comments: Wear Gloves, Requires Water as a Catalyst (Dampen Both Surfaces First) Requires Clamping

Contact Cement

• Composition: Neoprene & Synthetic Rubber (Pre-Mixed Liquid)
• Dry Color: Transparent
• Strength: Strong
• Cure Time: 24 Hours
• Set-Up Temp.: 65 Degrees or Above 
• Water Resistance: Waterproof
• Bonding Materials: Wood, Plastic, Metal, Glass, Rubber 
• Gap Filling: Good
• Solvent: Naphtha or Mineral Spirits
• Main Uses: Laminations (Such as Veneer & Counter Tops)
• Comments: Apply Cement to Both Pieces, Can Not Adjust Once Attached, Requires No Clamping

Cyanoacrylate Glue

• Composition: Chemical (Pre-Mixed Liquid)
• Dry Color: Transparent
• Strength: Strong Tensile Strength, Weaker Shear Strength
• Cure Time: 24 Hours (Will Set-Up in 60 Seconds)
• Set-Up Temp.: Most Any Temperature
• Water Resistance: Water Resistant
• Bonding Materials: Wood, Plastic, Metal, Rubber, Ceramic
• Gap Filling: The Gel Types Work Best For Porous Materials
• Solvent: Acetone
• Main Uses: Home Repairs, Crafts, Modeling, Combine With Sawdust to Fill Voids & Cracks in Wood, Thread Locking
• Comments: Use Gloves & Goggles, Resists High Temperatures