So many glues, so many man-made polymers. Plastic? In glue? Oh don’t get me started! Yes lots of it, and not just the packaging. Find out more about plastic HERE
Wikkipedia tells us that
Adhesives may be found naturally or produced synthetically.
Neanderthals produced tar from the dry distillation of birch bark for use in binding stone tools to wooden handles. The Greeks and Romans made great contributions to the development of adhesives. In Europe, glue was not widely used until the period 1500–1700 CE. From then until the 1900s increases in adhesive use and discovery were relatively gradual.
Only since the last century has the development of synthetic adhesives accelerated rapidly, and innovation in the field continues to the present.
You can read more but basically most modern glues are synthetic polymers. Some are actually plastic that you melt and use to stick stuff
Glue
not easy to find plastic free. Heres an introduction to some of the greener glues
And BostiK seems to be natural rubber in solvents.
A new tin of Bostik 3851 natural rubber adhesive glue. It can be used for bonding natural rubber and latex sheeting to each other and to porous surfaces such as leather, canvas etc. Volume: 250
EVO-STIK 3851
BOSTIK 3851
CONTACT ADHESIVE
NATURAL RUBBER CONTACT ADHESIVE
Bostik 3851 Adhesive is a translucent grey, natural rubber solution in petroleum solvents.
Recommended Use:
Bostik 3851 Adhesive is used for bonding natural rubber and latex sheeting to each other and to porous surfaces such as leather, canvas etc.
Bonding Instructions:
Ensure rubber surfaces are thoroughly clean and dry, abrading the surfaces if possible. Leather surfaces should also be abraded if necessary
Apply Bostik 3851 Adhesive by brush to both surfaces to be joined and allow the adhesive to become touch dry (approximately 10 – 20 minutes) before bonding the surfaces together under pressure
Synthetic Glue
Synthetic adhesives are based on elastomers, thermoplastics, emulsions, and thermosets. Examples of thermosetting adhesives are: epoxy, polyurethane, cyanoacrylate and acrylic polymers. Wikkipedia
A quick run down on synthetic glues can be found HERE. But here are the highlights, as copied from their website.
Synthetic resin glue (one part epoxy) like multipurpose glues, are made of petrochemicals, are toxic to aquatic systems and give off solvent fumes that are irritants to humans.
Two-part epoxy glue, and some chemicals in the resin can cause developmental problems in animals and humans. Epoxy resins are largely petroleum (oil) derived.
Latex-based glue, like rubber cement. Use either synthetic or natural latex. Natural latex is biodegradable but some people have allergies to it. And synthetic latex is made by the petrochemical industry using oil derivatives.
Super glue, or cyanoacrylate glues can bind to organic material; it is made from formaldehyde and other petrochemical materials.
Heat-seal adhesives use heat to activate and are commonly used in packaging on assembly lines. They are thermoplastics and made by the petrochemical industry.
Packaging
And then there is the packaging.
Local Glues
MAPEI is an Italian company founded in 1937 by Rodolfo Squinzi in Milan, Italy.
Under Squinzi’s guidance, MAPEI expanded its manufacturing to adhesives for laying floors and floor coverings. The company’s first adhesives were for linoleum,
Rodolfo’s son, Ing. Giorgio Squinzi, an industrial chemistry graduate, now heads MAPEI, which has become a leading manufacturer of mortars, adhesives, grouts, sealants, waterproofing agents, additives for concrete and other specialty products for the building industry. MAPEI remains a family-owned and -operated business and is a privately held entity generating annual revenues of more than one billion euros.
MAPEI ULTRABOND ECO VS90 PLUS HT VINYL/RUBBER FLOORING ADHESIVE 5KG (8267H)
£19.99INC VAT
(£4.00/Kg)
Multipurpose, solvent-free, high temperature acrylic adhesive. Suitable for bonding vinyl, rubber PVC and carpet. Covers approx. 18m².
Easily Trowellable Paste
Non-Flammable
Solvent-Free
Non-Staining
Contains No Toxic Substances
interesting post on carpet adhesives
So much so bad. But what of the natural alternatives?
Meanwhile I have been Kevin Mc Cloud getting sticky in the woods. Kevin McCloud is a British designer, writer and television presenter. he’s the one that does Grand Designs…. and now he is putting up a uber shed in a bosky glade.I always thought he was a bit slick, but life in woods is having its toll.He is becoming more moleskin trousers by the minute!
He is handmaking his hut from natural ingredients And he actually used a glue made from urine soaked rabbit skins. Here’s a bit more about last week’s episode – that of the rabbit glue. Sadly there isn’t a fact sheet for this particular product, but if you want to make your own – here’s a recipe from t’internet.
Not tried it myself having no rabbits to hand but you can buy it ready-made from DIY Tools.
And here’s the write-up:
“Liberon Rabbit Skin Glue is traditional glue which is mainly used in gesso and size preparations for gilding purposes.
Performance
– Natural animal skin glue.
– Traditional pearl used for making Gesso and for gilding.
How to use
Dissolve in warm water mixing 1 part glue to 4 parts water. Heat this solution in a double pot until all the glue has melted. If the glue is too thick add some more water to the solution. Do not allow to boil.
Precautions
The glue may be reheated two or three times. Old or dirty glue must be discarded and a fresh solution made.”
Of course it comes in plastic packet, and may well contain some plastic polymers, but it is an interesting concept worth investigating.
So there you have it … She wasn’t a psycho your honour, she was just making glue!
Why This Post Is ….
A little bit rubbish. You are reading a work in progress. Here’s how the blog is written and why we post half cocked.
N.B.
lines changes, products get removed. For more information why not ask the Plastic Is Rubbish FB group for updates. They are a great source of tidbits, personal experience and the latest news. Why not join them and share the plastic free love x
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