“GLUE”

FUNCTION : 2 OR MORE PARTS – COMBINED TO FORM A SINGLE UNIT

CONVENTIONAL METHODS: Riveting, Bolting, Welding

ADHESIVES

Adhesive is a substance that joins the 2 parts

• A wide variety of combinations is possible
• Bonds surfaces of glass, metal, plastics and wood
• Possible to prevent corrosion between different metals joined by adhesive
• Produces adequate strength
• The permeable joint can be made impermeable
• Easy, economical and speedy
DISADVANTAGES OF ADHESIVES
• Not possible to adapt any adhesive for all substances –
• Depends on properties of substances to be joined ADHESIVES
• Requires time to gain strength
• Not stable at high temperatures

FACTORS DETERMINING QUALITY OF ADHESIVE

• Degree or intensity of sticking
• Durability
• Resistance to heat
• Strength of bond developed after drying
• Time required to develop bond
• Should have tensile strength
• Should posses, fluidity and wettability of substrate cohesive strength
PROPERTIES
• Should have cohesive strength than either of the surfaces that has to be held together OF
ADHESIVES
Adherence
• Should form a strong bond at each of the interfaces. Failure can occur at any surface,
at the weakest bond.

Fluidity
• Thixotropy of adhesive

Dilatency
• Viscosity decreases with increase in temperature, adhesive should be applied while hot

Wettability
• Should be able to wet the surface thoroughly
• Should flow into cervices displacing dirt, moisture, air
ORGANIC SOLVENT THINNED ADHESIVES
• are applied to each of the two surfaces and the solvent is allowed to escape before the two surfaces
are put together.
• Solvents are classified as active and nonpolar, e.g., ethyl acetate, methyl ketone, and poor and TYPES OF
polar such as aliphatic paint thinner. ADHESIVES
LATEX ADHESIVES
• are natural or synthetic rubber or vinyl copolymers.
• These water-dispersed or latex adhesives contain, elastomeric film former, emulsifiers, thickeners,
and antifoaming agents.
• The examples of synthetic rubber-based adhesives are styrene butadiene and neoprene.

WATER DISPERSED ADHESIVES

• depend on natural materials for bonding. The bond of these can be destroyed by soaking in water.
• The examples are glue made by hydrolysis of collagen extracted from skin and bones of fish and
animals.
• Natural adhesives are casein and soybean used in wood working industry.
• Dextrin adhesives are made from starch for use with paper products.

TWO PACKAGE ADHESIVES

• In this type of adhesive solvent is not required.
• The examples are epoxy adhesives.
• These are made by using a low-molecular-weight partially polymerised polymer.
ALBUMIN GLUES
• Not attacked by water
• Used for making furniture

ANIMAL PROTEIN GLUES

• Manufactured by boiling waste pieces of skins, bones etc of animals in hot water
• Develops strong and tough joints
• Easy to apply
• Affected by damp and moist conditions
• Used in manufacture of plywood, laminated timbers etc

GLUES FROM NATURAL RESINS

• Prepared from natural resins
• Used for labelling building paper
GLUES FROM SYNTHETIC RESINS

Either thermosetting or thermoplastic glues

T.S.Glues – become permanent once they are set
T.P.Glues- made plastic by reheating

SYNTHETIC GLUES
• are fire-proof, strong and water-proof
• Setting time of synthetic glues can be regulated by varying the type/kind/quality
of hardener
• Resist fungi attack
• Non staining

4 TYPES OF SYNTHETIC RESINS

i) Melamine resins – require heat and pressure for setting, used in plywood
manufacture
ii) Phenolic resins – require heat and pressure for setting, used in resin-bonded
plywood
iii) Resorcinol resins – resistant to bacteria, fungi, heat and moisture, become hard
in short time at low temperatures
iv) Urea resins – Used in joinery works to form water-resistant glue joints
NITROCELLULOSE GLUES
• Prepared from pyroxilin (nitrated cellulose)
• Produces films that strongly adhere to glass

RUBBER GLUES
• Prepared by dissolving rubber in benzene
• Used for joining rubber, plastics, glass etc

SPECIAL GLUES
• To join metals
• Cycleweld – modified form of rubber – to join aluminium sheets
• Araldite – to join light metals

STARCH GLUES
• From vegetable starch
• Good strength in dry condition
• Not moisture resistant
• Cheap & used for inferior quality of plywood

VEGETABLE GLUES
• Prepared from natural gums and starches
• Used for preparing paper board articles, labelling etc
 TYPES OF
ADHESIVE

• The traditional adhesives based on animal and

vegetable products have largely been superseded
by synthetic products manufactured by the polymer
industry, except for casein, manufactured from
skimmed milk, which is currently used as a timber
adhesive

• The range of adhesives is under constant

development and particular applications should
always be matched to manufacturers’specifications.
• Three types: Cementitious (C), Dispersion TILE
(D) and Reaction resin (R). ADHESIVES
• Each of these types may have further
characteristics defined by classes relating
to enhanced adhesive properties, faster
setting, reduced slip or extended open
time (the time between spreading the
adhesive and applying the tiles)

• Dispersion adhesives are the ready-for-use

aqueous polymer dispersions.

• Reaction resin adhesives are one- or two-

component systems which set by chemical
reaction.

• Tile adhesives with no more than 1%

organic material are classified for fire
resistance as Class A1 or A1fl.
• Wall tile adhesives are usually polyvinyl acetate
(PVA), acrylic- or cement-based compositions. CERAMIC
WALL TILE
• The standard PVA thin-bed adhesives, typically ADHESIVE
to 3 mm, will only tolerate moisture, whereas
the thin-bed water-resistant acrylic-based
adhesives are suitable for fixing wall tiles and
Mosaics in damp and wet conditions associated,
for example, with domestic showers.

• The polymer-modified cement adhesives are also

suitable for fixing marble, granite and slate tiles
up to 15 mm thick.

• Where the tile adhesive is classified as

waterproof either acrylic- or cement-based, it
may be used as the grouting medium.

• Alternatively, equivalent waterproof grouting is

available in a wide range of colours to blend or
contrast with the wall tiles.
CERAMIC
WALL TILE
ADHESIVE
• The majority of ceramic floor tile adhesives are cement CERAMIC
based, used either as thick bed (up to 25 mm) or thin FLOOR
bed according to the quality of the substrate. TILE
ADHESIVE
• Where suspended timber floors are to be tiled, they
must be well ventilated and strong enough to support
the additional dead load.

• An overlay of 12 mm exterior grade plywood, primed

with bonding agent and screwed at 200 mm centres,
may be necessary.

• In refurbishment work, it is better to remove all old

floor finishes, but ceramic floor tiles may be fixed over
cleaned ceramic or possibly primed vinyl tiles, provided
all loose material is first removed.

• Cement-based grouting can be pigmented to the

required colour, but care must be taken to ensure
that excess grout is removed from the surface of the
tiles before staining occurs.
• Contact adhesives based on polychloroprene rubber, either in organic solvents or in
aqueous emulsions, are normally suitable for bonding decorative laminates, and other rigid CONTACT
plastics such as PVC and ABS to timber, timber products and metals. ADHESIVES

• Expanded polystyrene tiles may be adversely affected

by solvent-based formulations.

• Vinyl floor tile and wood block adhesives Most vinyl

floor tile and wood block adhesives are based on
either rubber/bitumen, rubber/resin or modified
bitumen emulsions.

• In all cases it is essential that the sub-floor is dry,

sound, smooth and free from any contamination which
would affect the adhesion.

• Where necessary cement/acrylic or cement/latex

floor levelling compound should be applied to
concrete, asphalt or old ceramic tiled floors.
• Wood joints generally should be in close contact with a gap
of less than 0.15 mm, but so-called gap-filling adhesives
satisfactorily bond up to 1.3 mm.
WOOD
ADHESIVES
• The white emulsion sets to a colour less translucent
thermoplastic film, giving a bond of similar strength to the
timber itself, but insufficient for bonding load-bearing
structural members.

• The thermosetting wood resins are mainly two component

systems based on phenolic compounds, such as area,
melamine, resorcinol or phenol, which cure with
formaldehyde to produce load-bearing adhesives (BS EN 301:
2006).

• Urea formaldehyde adhesives are generally moisture

resistant or for interior use only.

• Certain timber fire-retardant and preservative treatments

reduce the efficiency of timber adhesives, although
generally those based on phenol-formaldehyde / resorcinol
formaldehyde are unaffected.
Wallpaper adhesives

• Standard wallpaper adhesives are based on methyl cellulose, a white powder which is
water soluble giving a colourless solution. ADHESIVES
• The standard BS 3046: 1981 describes five types of adhesive ranging from low solids to
high wet and dry strength with added fungicide.

Epoxy resin adhesives

• Epoxy resins are two-component, cold-curing adhesives

which produce high-strength, durable bonds.

• Most require equal quantities of the resin and hardener

to be mixed and various formulations are available
giving curing times ranging from minutes to hours.

• Strong bonds can be obtained to timber, metal, glass,

concrete, ceramics and rigid plastics.

• Epoxy resins may be used internally or externally and

they are resistant to oils, water, dilute acids, alkalis,
and most solvents except chlorinated hydrocarbons
CYANOACRYLATE ADHESIVES
• Cyanoacrylates are single-component adhesives which bond components held in tight
contact within seconds. TYPES OF
• A high tensile bond is produced between metals, ceramics, most plastics and rubber. ADHESIVES
• The bond is resistant to oil, water, solvents, acid and alkalis but does not exhibit
high impact resistance.
• A range of adhesive viscosities is manufactured to match to particular applications.

HOT-MELT ADHESIVES
• Hot-melt adhesives for application by glue gun are
usually based on the thermoplastic copolymer,
ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
• Formulations are available for joining materials to
either flexible or rigid substrates.
• Generally, the adhesive should be applied to the less
easily bonded surface first (e.g. Similar adhesives are
used in iron-on edging veneers for plastic- and wood-
faced particleboard.)
BITUMEN SHEET ROOFING ADHESIVES
• Bitumen adhesives are available for hot
application , emulsion or in hydrocarbon TYPES OF
solvent for the cold bonding bituminous sheet ADHESIVES
roofing.
• The adhesives should be poured and spread by
trowel to avoid air pockets, which may cause
premature delamination of the sheet from the
substrate. Excess bitumen should be removed
as it may stain adjacent materials.

PLASTIC PIPE ADHESIVES

• Solvent-based vinyl resin adhesives are used for bonding
PVC-U and ABS pipes and fittings.
• The adhesive is brush-applied to both components which
are then united and slightly rotated to complete the
seal.
• Curing is rapid but in cold water supply systems, water
pressure should not be applied for several hours.
GAP-FILLING ADHESIVE
• Gun grade gap-filling adhesives, either solvent-borne rubber/synthetic rubber resins
with filler reinforcement or solvent-free systems, are versatile in their applications. TYPES OF
• The materials have good immediate adhesion, and can allow the components to be ADHESIVES
adjusted into position.

PVA BONDING AGENT AND SEALANT

• Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) is a versatile material which will act not only as an adhesive as described but also
as a bonding agent or surface sealant.
• As a bonding agent it will bond cement screeds, rendering and plaster to suitable sound surfaces without
the requirement for a good mechanical key.
GASKETS
 GASKETS

• Gaskets are lengths of flexible components of various

profiles, which may be solid or hollow and manufactured
from either cellular or non-cellular materials.

• Typical applications include the weather sealing of

precast cladding units and
facade systems.

• Within precast concrete, glass-fibre reinforced polyester

(GRP) or glass-fibre reinforced cement (GRC) cladding
units, the gaskets are typically inserted into recessed
open-drained joints.

• The gaskets therefore act as a rain barrier, but because

they do not necessarily fit tightly along their full
length, they can be backed up by compressed cellular
foam wind penetration seals.
In glazing and related curtain walling systems,
gaskets may be applied as capping seals, retained by
appropriate profiles within the mullions and
transoms; alternatively, the gaskets may be recessed GASKETS
within the joints of the glazing system to give
narrower visual effect to the joint.

Gaskets and weather stripping for use on doors, windows

and curtain walling are classified by a letter and digit
code which defines the use and key physical properties
of the particular product, enabling appropriate
specification.

The standard materials for gaskets used in construction

are neoprene which is highly elastic, ethylene propylene
diene monomer (EPDM) which has better weathering
characteristics than neoprene, and silicone rubbers
which are highly resistant to ultraviolet light, operate
over a wide range of temperatures and are available in
almost any colour.
 GASKETS

• Dry glazing strips are based on elastomeric polymers,

typically EPDM or butyl rubber.
• Usually, the synthetic rubber strip has a self-adhesive
backing which adheres to the rebate upstand.
• With external beading, the dry glazing strip can also be
applied to each bead, which is then fixed with suitable
compression to ensure a good seal to the glass.
• The performance requirements and classification for
gaskets and weather-stripping for doors, windows and
curtain walling are described in the standard BS EN 12365-
1: 2003.
WATERSTOPS for embedding into in situ
concrete for sealing movement and
construction joints are manufactured WATERSTOPS
in PVC or rubber according to the required
movement.
• Sections are available in long extruded lengths and
factory-produced intersections.
• Applications include water-containing structures and water
exclusion from basements.
• Waterstops placed centrally within concrete will resist
water pressure from either side, but externally positioned
waterstops, not encased below the concrete slab or within
permanent concrete shuttering, will only resist water
pressure from the outer face.
• Proprietary systems offer watertight expansion jointing for
horizontal surfaces, such as roof car parks and pedestrian
areas. Systems usually combine complex aluminium or
stainless steel profiles with extruded synthetic rubber
inserts.
• Materials can withstand high loads, with good resistance to
bitumen and salt water.
WATERSTOPS
WATERSTOPS
• Sealants are designed to seal the joints between
adjacent building components while remaining
sufficiently flexible to accommodate any relative
movement.
SEALANTS
• They may be required to exclude wind, rain and
airborne sound.
• A wide range of products is available matching the
performance characteristics of the sealant to the
requirements of the joint. Key factors in specifying the appropriate sealant
• Incorrect specification or application, and poor joint are:
design or preparation are
• likely to lead to premature failure of the sealant. • understanding the cause and nature of the
• The standard (BS EN ISO 11600: 2003) classifies relative movement;
sealants into type G for glazing applications and type F • matching the nature and extent of movement
(facade) for other construction joints. to an appropriate sealant;
• For both types, classes are defined by movement • appropriate joint design, surface preparation
capability, modulus and elastic recovery and sealant application;
• service life of the sealant.
TYPES OF SEALANT
There are three distinct types of sealant, plastic,
elastoplastic
and elastic, each of which exhibit significantly SEALANTS
different properties which must be matched to the
appropriate application (BS 6213: 2000).

Plastic sealants
Plastic sealants, which include general-purpose mas-
tics, allow only a limited amount of movement, but
when held in a deformed state they stress-relax.
Elastic recovery is limited to a maximum of 40%.
Plastic sealants dry by the formation of a surface skin, Oil-based mastics
leaving liquid material encased to retain flexibility. For oil-based mastics a 10 mm depth is required for
However, with time, the plastic core continues to optimum durability with a typical life expectancy
harden; thus,durability is related to the thickness of the of 2–10 years. The effects of ultraviolet degradation are
material used. Plastic sealants (Code P to BS EN ISO reduced by painting. Typical uses include sealing
11600: 2003) are more suitable for locations in which the around window and door frames in traditional
majority of movement is irreversible (BS 6213: 2000). low-rise building. Oil-based mastics are not suitable
for use with PVC-U windows. (The typical movement
accommodation for oil-based mastics is 10%.)
Butyl sealants
Butyl sealants are plastic but with a slightly rubbery
texture. They are used in small joints as a gap filler
and general-purpose sealant where oil-based mastics
SEALANTS
would dry too rapidly. Life expectancy is between
10 and 20 years if they are protected from sunlight
by painting, but only up to 5 years in exposed situations.
(The typical movement accommodation for
butyl sealants is 10%.)
Acrylic sealants
Water-based acrylic sealants are frequently used for
internal sealing such as between plaster and new
windows.
The solvent-based acrylic sealants are durable
for up to 20 years, with good adhesion to slightly
contaminated surfaces. They accommodate only limited
movement but produce a good external seal
around windows, for both new and remedial work.
(The typical movement accommodation for waterand
solvent-based acrylic sealants is 15% and 20%,
respectively.)
POLYMER/BITUMEN SEALANTS
Solvent-based bitumen sealants are generally suitable
for low-movement joints in gutters and flashings.
SEALANTS
HOTPOURED
bitumen is used for sealing movement joints in asphalt
and concrete floor slabs, although compatibility
with any subsequent floor coverings should be
verified.

LINSEED OIL PUTTY

Traditional putty contains a mixture of linseed oil
and inorganic fillers (BS 544: 1969), which sets by a
combination of aerial oxidation of the oil and some
absorption into the timber.
A skin is produced initially, but the mass ultimately sets to a
semi-rigid material.
Application is with a putty knife onto primed timber.
For application to steel windowframes, non-absorbent
hardwoods and water-repellent preservative-treated
softwoods, non-linseed oil putty is appropriate.
Linseed oil putty should be painted within 2 weeks,
whereas metal casement putty may be left 3 months
before painting.
ELASTOPLASTIC SEALANTS
• Elastoplastic sealants will accommodate both slow cyclical movements and permanent
deformations.
• A range of products offer appropriately balanced strength, plastic flow and elastic properties
for various applications. SEALANTS

POLYSULPHIDE SEALANTS
• Polysulphide sealants are available as one- or two component systems.
• The one-component systems have the advantage that they are ready for immediate use.
• They cure relatively slowly by absorption of moisture from the atmosphere, initially forming a
skin and fully curing within 2–5 weeks.
• One-component systems are limited in their application to joints up to 25 mm in width, but
their ultimate performance is comparable to that of the two-component materials. Typical
uses include structural movement joints in masonry, joints between precast concrete or stone
cladding panels and sealing around windows.
• The two-component polysulphide sealants require mixing immediately before use and fully
cure within 24–48 hours.
• They are more suitable than one-component systems for sealing joints which are wider than
25 mm, have large movements, or are subject to vandalism during setting.
• Uses include sealing joints within concrete and brickwork cladding systems and also within
poorly insulated lightweight cladding panels.
• Polysulphides have a life expectancy of 20–25 years. (The typical movement accommodation
for polysulphide sealants is up to 25% for one-part systems and up to 30% for two-part
systems.)
 ELASTIC SEALANTS
• Elastic sealants are appropriate for sealing dynamic SEALANTS
joints where rapid cyclic movement occurs.
• They are often sub-classified as low- or high-modulus
depending on their stiffness.
• Low-modulus sealants should be used where joints are
exposed to long periods of compression or extension and
where the substrate material is weak.
• Elastic sealants are categorised as Code E to BS EN ISO
11600: 2003.

POLYURETHANE SEALANTS
• Polyurethane sealants are available as one- or two component systems.
• The products are highly elastic but surfaces should be carefully prepared and usually primed to ensure good
adhesion.
• Polyurethane sealants have good abrasion resistance and durability is good, ranging from 20 to 25 years.
• Typical applications
• are joints within glazing, curtain walling, lightweight cladding panels and floors. (The typical movement
accommodation for polyurethane sealants is between
• 10% and 30% depending on the modulus.)
SILICONE SEALANTS
• Silicone sealants are usually one-component systems which cure relatively quickly in
air, frequently with the evolution of characteristic smells such as acetic acid. SILICONE
• Generally, silicone sealants adhere well to metals and glass, but primers may be SEALANTS
necessary on friable or porous surfaces, such as concrete or stone.
• Silicone sealants are durable with life expectancies within the range 25–30 years.
• The typical movement accommodation for silicone sealants ranges from 20% to 70%
depending on the modulus.

EPOXY SEALANTS
• Epoxy sealants are appropriate for stress-relieving
joints where larger movements in compression than in
tension are anticipated.
• The typical movement accommodation of epoxy
sealants is within the range 5–15%.
 JOINT DESIGN
There are three forms of joint; butt, lap and fillet (See
Figure). SEALANTS
However, only butt and lap joints will accommodate
movement.

• Generally, lap joints, in which the sealant is stressed in shear, will

accommodate double the movement of butt joints in which the
sealant is under tension or compression.
• However, lap joints are generally more difficult to seal than butt
joints. The effect is that extent of movement is excessive in
proportion to the width of sealant, causing rapid failure.
• To correctly control the depth of the sealant and to prevent it
adhering to the back of the joint, a compressible back-up material,
usually rectangular or round closed cell polyethylene, is inserted.
Where the joint is filled with a filler board, such as impregnated
fibreboard or corkboard, a plastic bond-breaker tape or closed-cell
polyethylene strip should be inserted.
• Normally, the depth of the sealant should be half the width of the
joint for elastic and elastoplastic sealants and equal to the width of
the joint for plastic sealants.
Minimum joint width calculation (BS 6093: 2006):
Total relevant movement (TRM)=3mm
Movement accommodation factor (MAF) = 25%
Width of sealant to accommodate movement = 3/0.25+3=15mm SEALANTS
In order to obtain good adhesion, the joint surfaces should be
prepared by the removal of contaminants, loose material or grease
and by the application of a primer if specified by the sealant
manufacturer.

Most sealants are applied directly by gun application, although

tooled, poured and tape/strip sealants are also used. Alternatively,
proprietary mechanical jointing systems should be used.

COLOUR MATCHING
While most sealants, except the black bituminous
products, are available in white, translucent, greys
and browns, the silicone sealants appropriate for use
around kitchen and bathroom units are available in a
wide range of colours.
SEALANTS
 FIRE-
RESISTANT
SEALANTS
• For the fire-resistant sealing of structural movement joints,
fire-resistant grades of low-modulus silicone, two-part
polysulphide and acrylic sealants are available.

• Maximum fire resistance is obtained if the sealant is applied to

both faces of the joint, with mineral wool or glass-fibre
insulation in the void space.

• Four hours’ fire resistance with respect to both integrity and

insulation can be achieved for a 20 mm wide movement joint
within 150 mm concrete (BS 476-20: 1987).

• Most intumescent sealants are now low-smoke and evolve no

halogenated products of combustion in fire situations.

• The typical movement accommodation for intumescent acrylic

sealants is 15%.
 FOAM
SEALANTS

• Compressible strips of closed-cell PVC and

polyethylene, or open-cell polyurethane foams,
coated on one or both edges with pressure-
sensitive adhesive, are used to seal thermal
movement and differential settlement joints, gaps
around window and door frames, and in air-
conditioning ductwork.

• It is available either as foam or as expanding foam,

and acts as an adhesive, sealant, filler and
insulator.

CONCRETE JOINT FILLERS AND SEALANTS

• Concrete joint fillers for use in pavements are
specified by the standards BS EN 14188: 2004,
Parts 1 and 2 for hot and cold application sealants,
respectively.