WHAT IS A RIGID CURING ADHESIVE?
A rigid curing adhesive is a non-flexible adhesive that is used to adhere two substrates to one another. Typically, once cured it is robust and has little to no movement.
WHY WOULD I CHOOSE A RIGID CURING ADHESIVE.
All adhesive types have strengths and limitations. Product selection will depend on what you are are trying to achieve.
STRENGTHS
| Solvent-based | Good adhesion to many substrates, relative fast rate of initial cure, perceived low cost, readily available |
| PU based | 100% solids, permanent. Low VOC (volatile organic compounds), successfully bonds damp timbers, will tie multiple pieces of timber into an effective single-piece, sandable once cured and waterproof. |
| Acrylic/Water-based | Generally less shrinkage than solvent-based adhesives, easy to use, low VOC, no smell, water clean-up and has good initial grab. |
| Cyanoacrylate | Super-fast curing, easy to use and saves time. |
LIMITATIONS
| Solvent-based | Very low initial tack, can drip, may shrink by up to 50% – meaning there is less product that remains to do the work. Timber can be damp but not wet, high odour and high VOC. It may bleed through gypsum panels and affect the finish, and can also eat into some substrates e.g. polystyrene, shouldn’t be used in green build or sustainable projects. |
| PU based | Requires clamping/mechanical fixing during curing, permanent, not easy to remove or clean up, and needs a porous surface to be most effective. |
| Acrylic/Water-based | May be hard to repair, prefers dry timber, slower to cure in cold/wet environments and needs protection from direct weather conditions. |
| Cyanoacrylate | Creates brittle joints, must be close contact joints and has poor solvent resistance. |