We often call products that stick items together a “glue” or an “adhesive”. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference.
A glue is a naturally occurring substance that is used to bond two surfaces together. The raw materials can be vegetable or animal. GF 637U glue, made from corn products, is our mounting glue which is great for large poster gluing.
Our AG-90 is a protein glue made from cow hides that is used for gluing hard cover books.
An adhesive is a synthetic substance that is used to bond two surfaces together. There is a wide variety of materials to choose from, most of which are oil or gas based derivatives. Our GF 878P adhesive, primarily a water based pva product (PolyVinyl Acetate) is used to mount large posters onto wood.
For example of products that bend the rule, Elmer’s Glue is a synthetic product so it really should be called “Elmer’s Adhesive”. The same thing goes for Super Glue, a cyanoacrylate which means it should be called “Super Adhesive”. Corporate marketing can dictate this type of deviation.
At Gluefast we are also guilty of this… we sell hot melt glue guns and hot melt glue sticks… but guess what? “Glue sticks” are synthetic so shouldn’t we call it “Adhesive Sticks”.
Whatever you call it, Gluefast has the right glue or adhesive for your needs… and if we cannot assist you with a particular gluing project, we will do our best to point you in the direction of a company who can help!