Are you a DIY enthusiast? Do you often like repairing your broken things? If yes, what do you use to repair them? Have you ever used UV light glue? If you heard about it, probably you must have tried it out to see how it works. Now the question remains: does it work to give the best results?
In our article, we are going to look at how effective UV light glue is in terms of repairing items. Further, we will also try to demonstrate how it works and the materials that it works with. Continue reading to get the insight.
Does UV light glue work?
The UV light glue works with almost everything except a few things. Therefore, you need to know whether they work to deliver the best results. You should understand how they work. For instance, when you look at 5second fix vs bondic you will get more information regarding UV light glue. Let’s learn whether UV light works below.
What makes two objects stick together in many glue types is the drying process. The adhesive is quite effective despite it taking some time. However, UV light glue is faster hence, more efficient when it comes to gluing items together. The UV light necessitates a photochemical reaction which is necessary for sticking the objects together. You only need a few seconds to end the job after applying adhesive.
UV light glue is best for use even in commercial applications because of its unmatched drying technique that is almost instant. Crafters can gain confidence in this Glue’s work because it has been adopted in food companies, medical fields, and automobiles. You don’t need to worry about the liquid drying unexpectedly because you must point it to the UV light when you are ready.
UV adhesives are of two types, acrylates and epoxy-based. Currently, the most common adhesives are epoxy-based but the acrylates are also on the rise.
Benefits of the UV light glue
- The UV light glue is exceptional because it takes seconds to cure the adhesive.
- This type of glue also doesn’t need high temperatures to deliver
- Provides more flexibility when working on your items
- Can work on multiple objects
- It doesn’t need flammable solvents
The regular adhesives are now not popular as compared to the UV-based adhesives despite being expensive in the past. However, today they are relatively cheap because the manufacturers introduced competitive prices to their customers.
Materials That UV Light Glue Work With
As stated earlier, UV light glue works with almost all materials, they include;
- Wood
- Leather
- Metal
- Glass
- Plastics
- Crystal
It is important to note that UV light glue does not work with PE, PTFE, and PP plastics. So if you intend to work with other types of plastics, the UV light glue will work perfectly with them.
How to use UV light Glue
Start by cleaning and drying the surface of your item. The next step is to apply a thin layer of adhesive and squeeze the objects together. When you are ready, you can now point the adhesive with your UV light beam for about 3 seconds.
You can choose to apply several thin layers or just apply one thick layer. However, experts recommend that you repeat the steps with a thin layer because they produce the strongest bond. You should ensure that before you start the repeat process, the layer dries completely; this makes the bond even stronger.
After the process, you can now decide to either decorate or paint your item according to your personal preferences.
Worthy noting is the fact that the UV light glue is not toxic. This type of glue works quickly and is consistent. It provides an instantly hardened surface without producing any harmful chemicals.
How long does UV glue last?
Nowadays you can find small handheld LED lamps that are battery-powered cheaply online. These are effective if you want to cure many UV-curable adhesives through the glass. These types of adhesives are designed to last indefinitely. However, it depends on the surrounding environment.
Can You Cure Any Resin Using UV light.?
The cure of non-UV resin is never affected by UV light. In some instances, when there is strong UV, some non-UV resin gets degraded or discolored. You should know that the UV-curing resin uses a different working mechanism. One-part resin can remain stable. And for it to cure, there should be a strong UV wavelength to break a component hence causing it to cure.
Why Is Resin Tacky After Curing?
The stickiness that is noticed on the surface of adhesives that cure with the UV light is referred to as oxygen inhibition. What brings the tackiness is due to the atmospheric oxygen that inhibits cure on the surface of the material.
Is UV Light Glue Stronger Compared to Super Glue
Amongst all the available adhesives, Epoxy stands as the best and strongest adhesive. It resists both the solvents, high temperatures, impact, and UV light. That is why it takes 2 to 60 seconds to cure. On the other hand, acrylic is weaker although it requires less preparation. We can also note that the Urethane adhesive is elastic but equally strong.
Conclusion
We have provided you with a lot of information above that demonstrates exactly how UV light works. By now you are well equipped with the materials that the UV light glue best works with and those that it does not. All these indicate that UV light glue works best and whenever you apply anywhere expect great results.
Now the ball remains on you to decide how you will use it in your home to repair different items. If you have not tried one, ensure you grab one from the market and get the job done within a few seconds.