Theory of Adhesives?

Existential Angst · 2011-07-12T02:54:49+00:00

Awl -- Previously (on RW), I asked about coatings, waterproofing plywood.Now, in an interior environment (moisture not an issue), I'm curious about laminating an approx. 4' x 6' area of plywood with some other thin-ish, or even not so thin-ish material -- from formica laminates, to .030 SS or Alum sheet, to 1/4" rubberized tile, linoleum.I recall carpenters using gobs of white elmers glue for large-contact wood areas, in building mezzanines in lofts, etc.Then there is elmer's carpenter's/wood glue, mastics for tile (what's a mastic, inyway??), epoxies, a zillion other adhesives.The general Q is: when to use what for what?For example, in the .030 SS/Alum I will place over 1/2" ply, I would like to be able to just roll on some suitable adhesive over the full 4x6 area, and press them together, proly via weight plates.What would good choices be? How thick?Interestingly, an increase in thickness from ..5 to .532 will generate about a 13% increase in stiffness, since stiffness is proportional to the square of thickness, but ONLY if there is no slippage between the two layers. Thus, the requirement for full-surface bonding, via adhesive.Ackshooly, that 13% inc in stiffness presumes similar materials. I measured that 1/4" alum plate is as stiff or stiffer than decent 1/2" ply, so the increase in stiffness is likely to be a bit more than 13%.Inyway, I'd like an idea of how to gauge the type of adhesive to application. Bang fer the buck is always good, as well.Along these lines, I see all kinds of two-part epoxies, specialized for wood, metal, ceramics/glass, etc.Afaict, they all work the same on everything, with perhaps the exception of things like nylon, delrin, other "greasy" plastics. Any opinions on this?

Jul 12, 2011 40 Replies

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Tim Wescott 15 years ago

But is it load bearing? Can you laminate it onto plywood, then actually use the strength of the aluminum?

Or is it just a way to make it shiny?

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Theory of Adhesives?

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