Product Design

SPRAY GLUE

- Joining lightweight materials such as paper, cardboard, acetate, metal foil, stored in pressurised can with chemical expellant

POSITIVES: Even surface can be applied, easy to apply, accurate, good at avoiding smears/runs/tears, inespensive, readily available

NEGATIVES: Only for lightweight materials, messy if not used carefully, not permanent, must be used in ventilated environment

HOT MELT GLUE

- Thermoplastics, softens when heated, temporary for certain materials solidifies when cools

POSITIVES: Comes in range of colours, easy to use, quick

NEGATIVES: Only used for lightweight materials, messy if not used carefully, injury if misused, must be used in ventilated environment, molten at 120 degrees C

ACRYLIC CEMENT

- Solvent, strong bonds - non porous & resistant to weathering, ideal for outdoor signs

- Ideal for joining thermoplastics but cannot be used for thermosetting/other materials

POSITIVES: Permanent, strong, invisible finishes, weatherproof

NEGATIVES: Only for thermoplastics, messy if not used carefully, used in ventilated environment

PVA (wood glue)

- Synthetic manufactured polymer

- Suspended in emulsion of water, making it good for wood & paper, dry to solid transparent in 30 mins

POSITIVES: Permanent, strong, hardwearing, non toxic, inexpensive, good at adhearing porous materials

NEGATIVES: Cannot easily be removed when set

- Thermosetting plastic, used to glue together wide range of materials

- When polymer is mixed with catallyst they heat & harden (molecules cross link & form rigid grid)

- Extremely strong & more resistant than other adhesives

- Commonly used for wood, metal & plastic

- Used in construction of boats, fishing rods, tennis rackets, racing cars, helicopter rota blades

- Bonded with weave of glass