Dry adhesive mixes are mainly used as an alternative to sand-cement mortars, as well as for solving special tasks. Almost all manufacturers of adhesive mixtures try to give their products certain properties, which led to the appearance of hundreds of different types of adhesives with different technical characteristics and purposes.
What are building adhesives?
The plaster-glue mixture is a ready-to-use solution that only needs to be added in a certain proportion of water. After drying, the adhesive is securely fixed to the surface due to its adhesion and can replace sealant, nails, screws, masonry mortar, fastening various structures. The vast majority of types of adhesive compositions are used for working with drywall, bricks, ceramic tiles and granite, gas-silicate blocks. The glue is also used for working with facades, in particular for wall insulation, ceiling filing, fixing architectural objects.
Glue composition:
- A viscous substance (usually cement);
- Fine sand;
- Modifying additives (usually polymer components);
- Plasticizer.
The role of the modifier is to impart frost resistance, thermal insulation properties, increase adhesion, accelerate or slow down the life cycle of the solution, and improve its plasticity. Also, the composition of the adhesive mixture may include gypsum, bitumen, epoxy resins, PVA, a variety of mineral additives.
Types of adhesive mixes
Conventionally, the glue can be divided according to the field of application:
- For gas silicate-using such solutions, you can build buildings with a height of no more than 9 floors. In this case, an adhesive mixture is used in order to ensure that all cavities are filled with a plastic solution with a minimum thickness of glue. Cement-sand mortar shrinks, requires a much larger layer thickness for the set, so when building houses from gas-block and foam concrete, just glue mixtures are used. In addition, from the bag, the glue is immediately ready for use, which ensures stable quality and the same technical characteristics of masonry anywhere in the house. We pay attention to the presence of winter types of glue that allow you to work even at subzero temperatures, that is, all year round.
- For ceramic tiles and stoneware-the composition of the adhesive is similar to the previous product group, but it is characterized by increased strength, ductility and high adhesion. Tile adhesive fixes objects much better after drying, and it has increased twisting and tension resistance. Since the weight of ceramic tiles is quite large, and the layer of composition is small, it is important to use high-quality adhesives to fix the facing materials. This type of mortar is also suitable for working with natural stone, gluing glass, porcelain stoneware on the floor, granite and marble slabs. Some types of tile adhesives contain components that increase the waterproofing of the solution after setting. It is convenient to use it for working in bathrooms, toilets, when finishing the floor in rooms with a swimming pool. There are also adhesives for laying ceramic tiles and porcelain stoneware on the facades of buildings, they can also be used for finishing works (forming slopes, arches).
- Adhesive mixes for facades and foam fixing – the use of dowels, screws and other installations significantly reduces the heat and sound insulation of the building, creating a risk of damage to load-bearing structures, communications inside the wall. Therefore, when warming houses, it is advisable to use adhesive mixtures. They can be used for working with sheets of styrofoam, polystyrene, mineral wool, OSB and other materials. Since the adhesive is a non-flammable compound, a fire barrier is created both outside and inside the thermal insulation layer. Less often, facade glue is used to create a smooth, solid base for further finishing of facades (painting, finishing with decorative plasters).
Composition of adhesive mixtures
In the cheap segment of the market, glue solutions are produced on the basis of cement. They are easy to use, have high strength, the viability of the adhesive after mixing with water allows you not to worry about its premature setting. Also, such adhesives have hypoallergenic properties, are suitable for almost any substrate.
There are adhesive solutions with the addition of synthetic resins, rubber and dispersion-type adhesives. They are less demanding on the quality of the substrate, have permeable properties, which ensures their use even without primers and pretreatment. Almost always, plasticizers are added to adhesive solutions, which make it easier to work with the material, especially on a small layer thickness.
Application of adhesive mixtures
The main purpose of the adhesive is long-term, reliable fixation of heavy objects on its surface. These can be blocks, bricks, profiles, lighthouses, stoneware, and other finishing materials. The perfect price-quality ratio of fixing has created almost exclusive conditions in the use of adhesives, for example, when laying ceramic tiles or when building houses made of aerated concrete. Various properties (plasticity, adhesion, density, strength, viscosity) allow you to choose the right composition for certain types of general construction and special works.
Packaging of glue in bags
Here you can buy the adhesive mixture in the standard packaging for this material-in bags of 25 kg. This norm is due to the fact that tile adhesives, mortars for masonry and natural stone are hydrophilic, that is, they actively absorb moisture from the environment. Also, the shelf life of the finished mixture is about 120-180 minutes, it makes no sense for craftsmen to knead a large volume, since they will not have time to develop it.
How to choose an adhesive mix?
Use simple tips to purchase high-quality building materials:
- Give preference to well-known brands, major brands, and reliable suppliers;
- Buy glue in bags without damage, traces of contact with water, carefully monitor the production date and shelf life of products;
- Choose adhesives specially designed for your particular type of work;
- Do not add any foreign components (sand, cement, aggressive chemicals)to the mixture.;
- It is important to choose the glue taking into account further operation. For example, here you can buy glue for tiles in the pool, in bath complexes where there will be high humidity and constant contact with water;
- It is better to use the same building materials on the same site. This ensures uniform performance on all surfaces.