In recent years, many new materials with unique properties have appeared on the market. One of them is silicone, which is used in everyday life, industry, at a construction site. Often the master needs glue for silicone, which will help in the repair of various products. Typically, such adhesives are suitable for other surfaces, but they must be selected with great care.
- Silicone characteristics
- How to choose glue - the rules
- Popular brands of glue
- Silicone products that can be glued
- Technology and procedure for working with glue
Silicone characteristics
Silicone is a soft, flexible, heat-resistant material obtained as a result of chemical synthesis of polymers. There are several types of silicone - liquids, elastomers, resins. But, as a rule, this name means rubber silicone, which has firmly come into use since the middle of the 20th century.
This material is food and technical. A feature is complete harmlessness to humans, as well as the following properties:
- the ability to withstand high temperatures;
- high elasticity, lack of cracking and crumbling, flexibility;
- resistance to water, UV radiation, oxidation;
- inertness to the influence of microbes, easy disinfection;
- preservation of elasticity at temperature extremes.
to contents ↑The use of silicone rubber is justified in medicine - silicone oilcloths, nipples, membranes, syringes and much more are prepared from it. Silicone is part of the sealants that are used for aquariums, gluing surfaces in the bathroom, kitchen. It is used in agriculture, electronics, technology, and many other areas.
How to choose glue - the rules
Due to the high popularity of the material, it is often necessary to glue silicone products. This happens during repairs or during the creation of crafts, jewelry (bracelets, beads), in creative classes. Usually, silicone or cyanoacrylate glue is used to connect the parts, they allow you to reliably glue the defect, join the surfaces. The same glue can be used to seal other products, it has excellent adhesion:
- to metal;
- to plastic;
- to rubber.
In order for the result of silicone bonding at home to be excellent, you must choose a composition that meets these requirements:
- elasticity and strength - the product creates a reliable seam, which is not damaged by vibration, mechanical stress;
- optimal density, the ability to penetrate into inaccessible places and fill small gaps;
- the ability to withstand high temperatures - like the material itself, the adhesive easily tolerates heating up to +300 degrees;
- safety - when heated, the product does not emit toxins;
- ease of use - the packaging and method of applying glue are convenient, accessible even to beginners;
- fast polymerization - a quality product freezes in a couple of hours, the product can be put into operation in a day.
If necessary, the adhesive must be suitable for plastic, concrete, wood, because it is often necessary to glue silicone with other materials.When buying a composition, it must be taken into account that silicone glue can be:
- acidic - it is cheap, but it causes metal corrosion;
- alkaline - includes silicon, is super heat-resistant, usually used as a special tool in extreme conditions;
- neutral - expensive, but the highest quality, suitable for any surfaces.
If the product is purchased not only for silicone, but also for plastic products, crafts, repairs, sealing, it is better to choose a universal composition. For items made of silicone, located on the street, it is necessary to select glue for outdoor work. If you need disinfection, you need to buy material with antiseptic and fungicidal additives. For the repair of silicone parts in a car, it is recommended to select special adhesives. If the product will be operated at elevated temperatures, special high-temperature glue is sold in stores.
Cyanoacrylate adhesives are universal, they can be glued products even in the most severe conditions. They are easily applied to the surface directly from the bottle. The compositions are one-component, non-flammable, solvent-free, therefore, safe for health. They are able to reliably glue dissimilar materials - for example, silicone and plastic, rubber, metal, the joint strength will not suffer. The products dry in a matter of minutes; room temperature is sufficient for this.
to contents ↑Popular brands of glue
How to glue silicone, what brands are sold in stores? One of the most popular is Klebfix, which can be glued to any plastics, silicone, rubber, neoprene, aluminum and steel. Ethyl cyanoacrylate is the chemical base; its tensile strength is very high. If the surface was clean, then it is almost impossible to break the gluing place. Using the tool, it is easy to repair hoses, rubber bands, tubes, gaskets, phone covers and other products.
Another quality product is Permabond cyanoacrylate adhesive. The most difficult to connect and heterogeneous materials can stick to them with silicone. If it is necessary to glue large area products, it is possible to apply the product in an automated way. The adhesive hardens upon contact with a minimum amount of moisture.
Also, for products made of soft silicone, it is allowed to use such means:
- Valmexinsc38. It is made in Germany, intended for gluing and repairing products from silicone, latex, rubber, PVC. After polymerization, the adhesive joint is not destroyed by the action of water, freezes in 3 minutes. This material is very economical in terms of consumption and price.
- Cosmofen CA 12. A universal product for silicone and other materials, also available in Germany. The strength of the joint will be high, especially if you first apply the same primer. There is a special dispenser on the tube, so the operation is easy and convenient.
- Permabond 2050. Cyanoacrylate adhesive with instant hardening, ideal for flexible joints. The seam will be durable, vibration resistant.
Silicone products that can be glued
It is possible to use glue for almost any type of silicone. Most often repair various parts of equipment, cars. In medicine, gluing technology is used for a number of products, for example heating pads, oilcloths. In industry, special adhesives are used to restore conveyor belts, shaft coatings, and equipment in the textile industry.
Technology and procedure for working with glue
Sticking silicone parts, products, attaching them to another type of material is not difficult. Improves the result of high-quality surface preparation - they must be dry, clean, fat-free. Next, glue is applied to the base in the volume specified in the instructions (according to the consumption per 1 sq. Cm). Adhesives with dispensers are much more convenient, they do not allow squeezing out the excess composition.
You need to hold the parts for 30-60 seconds or less, as the manufacturer requires. After you need to put the product on the table, fix it, press it with a load. After 3-5 hours, the load can be removed, but operation is allowed after 24 hours. The adhesion quality will be reliable - the material itself is more likely to tear than an adhesive seam.
