2.3 Adhesives

• Types of adhesives used in wood technology
• Characteristics of adhesives; internal and external use
• Preparing and applying adhesives to bond materials
• Safety and disposal of adhesives

• identify types of adhesives used for bonding materials
• describe the characteristics of adhesives used in wood technology
• use adhesives to bond materials
• appreciate the importance and use of wood adhesives

“Why are adhesives important in wood technology, and how do you use them well?”

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1. What adhesives are and why they matter
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   What an adhesive is, what it does in woodwork, and why gluing is a key way of joining wood.
2. PVA (white wood glue)
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   PVA glue - the common woodworking glue: its characteristics and internal use.
3. Waterproof glues - synthetic resin and epoxy
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Waterproof adhesives - synthetic resin and epoxy - for outdoor and demanding work.
4. Contact adhesive and animal glue
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Two more adhesives - contact adhesive (for laminates and veneers) and traditional animal glue.
5. Internal and external glues: choosing the right one
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   The key characteristic - internal vs external (waterproof) use - and how to choose the right glue.
6. Preparing surfaces for gluing
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   How to prepare surfaces so a glued joint is strong - clean, well-fitting and lightly roughened.
7. Applying glue and clamping
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   A practical lesson: applying adhesive evenly and clamping the joint while it sets.
8. Setting, curing and strength
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   How glue sets and cures, why full setting time matters, and how strong a glued joint can be.
9. Safety and disposal of adhesives
   40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
   Using and disposing of adhesives safely - fumes, flammability, skin, and proper disposal.
10. Adhesives in engineered boards
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    How adhesives make engineered boards (plywood, chipboard, MDF) - a major use of wood glue.
11. Adhesive faults and how to avoid them
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    Common glued-joint faults - weak joints, starved joints, squeeze-out, wrong glue - and how to avoid each.
12. Why adhesives matter
    40 min · 1 practice tasks · quiz
    The inquiry answered: why adhesives are important in wood technology and how to use them well.