Last Updated on December 7, 2019 by Team CrazyJackz
Super glues can save us of a lot of problems, but can they be waterproof as well? Well, this is a common question for people who use super glue in their projects. And after reading this article you will understand just how super glue will hold in water.
There are many types of super glues on the market. They all have different properties and levels of resistance. While most of them will be able to survive some humidity, they do bring a different level of resistance to water.
Is super glue waterproof?
The short answer is that superglue is not waterproof by norm but it is water-resistant. Most super glues will keep the bond together even when they are exposed to water or in direct contact with it. But as we will see in the next section of this guide, water does take its toll on the glue, regardless of how good it is. In some cases the damage water can give to your bond is insignificant, and in other cases, it can be quite noticeable. As a bottom line, you can count on the fact that average glues have water-resistant properties!
What happens when super glue gets wet?
To know how to choose the best super glue that will resist water, you need to understand what happens when your glue gets exposed to water and humidity. First of all, when we talk about super glues that are waterproof, we refer at the fact that they have a high level of water resistance. No superglue is completely waterproof under all circumstances, but they might react differently to water.
The adhesive that forms the super glue is a type of cyanoacrylate. This adhesive will bond two surfaces together by using the humidity in the air as well. So, a small percentage of water is a must for the efficiency of a glue. But anything more than the humidity found in the air can damage the effect of glue. When super glue is reached by water it can weaken the bond it once created. This is because water will soften the adhesive material inside the glue.
If you choose a high-quality super glue, the resistance to this type of water exposure will be higher. As we discuss later, there are super glues that will survive water submersion and intense rains. This doesn’t mean that they will not get damaged at all by this level of water. But they will resist it and still hold the bond together which makes them successful in the end.
On the other hand, if you choose a glue with a low water resistance, you can expect it to come undone a lot faster. This is because these glues are more diluted than the better ones and they will allow water to penetrate the bond easier and faster. This is also the reason why you will find outdoor glues and indoor glues on the market. The indoor glues have the lowest water resistance.
Always read the description of the glue before investing in it and see if it matches your expectations. It might be a good idea to read the reviews of the product as well. This will give you the best overview of what you can expect from it.
The Best water-resistant super glues on the market:
There are different types of super glue on the market. And they all have different properties, including water resistance levels. First of all, you need to be aware of some valuable information regarding the different types of resistance found in glues.
To be precise, there are two water resistance standards in superglues. They are
- ANSI/HPVA Type 1 and
- ANSI/HPVA Type 2.
where ANSI stands for American National Standards Institute and HPVA means Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association.
Essentially, the Type 1 glues can be considered waterproof while Type 2 glues are just water-resistant. Although both Type 1 and 2 can be reliable in terms of water exposure. However, the type 2 glues are not going to resist submersion in water for several hours without coming apart.
Here are the most popular super glues that you can invest in and let us know how reliable each of it is, when in contact with water!
Gorilla super glue:
This is the type of glue that you can rely on when you want to make sure it is going to withstand the test of water. The water-resistant level of this glue is according to the standard of ANSI/HPVA Type 1. You can use this glue on the roughest types of repairs, where other glues fail. The great thing about this glue is that it will work great for both indoor and outdoor use.
Gorilla Wood glue:
A second type of glue offered by Gorilla, that follows the same ANSI/HPVA Type I standard as the previous type is this wood one. Even if it is intended for mostly wood materials, it will do a great job on ceramic and even metal. Just like the best Gorilla glues on the market, this one will strongly resist water both indoor and outdoor.
Loctite super glue:
Loctite is the type of superglue to use anywhere and at any time. It will offer you the bond you need for your projects and it comes in a variety of versions. The ultra liquid Loctite glue is the best waterproof glue to use, according to the ANSI/HPVA Type 1 standards. This glue will not come undone in humid environments and it will give you the same results on all types of materials.
Krazy super glue:
Krazy offers a wide range of super glues and they are water-resistant as well. They will hold the bond together but because some of these glues are not sealers, water can still damage it. You can use this glue outdoors with caution. It will not resist impeccably if you submerge your bond in water, though. These glues are recommended under the ANSI/HPVA Type 2 standard.
Scotch super glue:
Scotch glues will resist if they are placed in a humid environment but they will not pass the waterproof test. As a matter of fact, they can be removed by submersing the bond in water and gently scrubbing it off your material. So, if you are looking for a waterproof super glue, Scotch might not satisfy this condition. These do still respect the ANSI/HPVA Type 2 standards because they will not come undone by themselves if you expose them to water, but they will get damaged.
Professional Grade Super Glue:
This super glue might not be advertised as a waterproof glue but its high level of resistant recommends it for that. It is the type of super glue that will resist high levels of humidity and even water submersion. However, it is indicated to not let it stay in water for too long as this might damage its sealing resistance. It will face rains and brief exposures to water. As far as the standards, this glue is qualified as a ANSI/HPVA Type 1 product.
Conclusion
As you can see, choosing the right super glue with the highest water resistance can be tricky. But the list above should give you a few valuable options to count on. It is important to evaluate your project objectively and decide what type of resistance you need from your glue. And don’t look only on the waterproof glues as this is just a form of describing their high water resistance level. There is no way you can go wrong when you have all the information in this guide and you apply it properly.
Featured Image – “Bullet Time?” by jimmac is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
- Is Super Glue Waterproof? Will It Actually Hold In The Water? - November 3, 2019