# Glue, Adhesives & Mediums A glue's chemistry, not its brand, decides what it bonds: water-based PVA and hot melt dry by losing moisture or heat; cyanoacrylate and epoxy cure by chemical reaction; solvents bridge materials PVA can't touch. This leaf bundles several chemistries under one label, so the real first question is which one a project needs. ## How it works Most craft adhesives work one of four ways. Water-based glues (white PVA, tacky glue, glue sticks) are a polymer suspended in water that sets as the water evaporates into a porous surface, so they need an absorbent substrate and fail on glass or metal. Hot melt is a solid thermoplastic that a glue gun liquefies; it bonds by cooling and solidifying in seconds, which trades speed for a bond that softens again under heat. Cyanoacrylate (super glue) polymerizes instantly on contact with trace surface moisture, giving a hard, brittle bond with almost no gap-filling. Epoxy is two components that cross-link into a rigid thermoset once mixed, giving the strongest structural bond but needing minutes to hours of working time. Solvent-based contact cements and sprays bond by welding plastics or coating both surfaces and pressing them together once tacky. ## How an expert narrows the choice ```mermaid timeline section 1 · Adhesive family water_based_pva : ask Dries clear or colored : skip Glue gun temperature, CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set, Finish sheen hot_melt : ask Glue gun temperature : skip CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set, Finish sheen cyanoacrylate : ask CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator : skip Glue gun temperature, Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set, Finish sheen epoxy_two_part : skip Glue gun temperature, CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set, Finish sheen solvent_contact_or_spray : skip Glue gun temperature, CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set, Finish sheen specialty_multi_surface_adhesive : skip Glue gun temperature, CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Finish sheen fabric_textile : ask Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set : skip Glue gun temperature, CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Finish sheen decoupage_sealer_medium : ask Finish sheen : skip Glue gun temperature, CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set wood_glue : ask Water resistance : skip Glue gun temperature, CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set, Finish sheen section 2 · Permanent or removable Needs to stay forever, or come off later? ``` 1. **Adhesive family.** PVA, hot glue, super glue, epoxy, or something else? Chemistry sets everything else: how fast it grabs, what it bonds to, whether it fills gaps, and how it fails. Naming the family before anything else routes to the right facets and skips questions that don't apply. If water_based_pva: ask Dries clear or colored; skip Glue gun temperature, CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set, Finish sheen. If hot_melt: ask Glue gun temperature; skip CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set, Finish sheen. If cyanoacrylate: ask CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator; skip Glue gun temperature, Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set, Finish sheen. If epoxy_two_part: skip Glue gun temperature, CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set, Finish sheen. If solvent_contact_or_spray: skip Glue gun temperature, CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set, Finish sheen. If specialty_multi_surface_adhesive: skip Glue gun temperature, CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Finish sheen. If fabric_textile: ask Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set; skip Glue gun temperature, CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Finish sheen. If decoupage_sealer_medium: ask Finish sheen; skip Glue gun temperature, CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set. If wood_glue: ask Water resistance; skip Glue gun temperature, CA glue viscosity, Benefits from an accelerator, Laundering safety, Needs an iron to set, Finish sheen. Skip if already known: a query naming a specific product like 'super glue' or 'Mod Podge', an earlier answer naming the project material (fabric, wood, foam, paper). 2. **Permanent or removable.** Needs to stay forever, or come off later? Permanence changes the whole shopping list: a repositionable spray or removable glue dot is a different product line from a permanent structural adhesive, even within the same chemistry family. Skip if already known: an earlier answer naming 'repositionable', 'removable', 'temporary', or 'permanent'. ## What to surface ### Adhesive family The chemistry that does the bonding: water-based PVA, hot melt, cyanoacrylate, two-part epoxy, solvent-based contact or spray, a specialty multi-surface adhesive (E6000-style synthetic rubber, often non-flammable despite being solvent-based), fabric adhesive, decoupage/sealer medium, or wood glue. This is the single biggest decider in the category: it sets how fast the bond grabs, what surfaces it will actually stick to, whether it can fill a gap or only make a thin line, and how the bond fails under stress or heat. Picking the wrong family is the most common reason a craft glue 'doesn't work' — the glue is fine, it's just bonding the wrong kind of surface or job. [1] [2] [5] Values: water_based_pva, hot_melt, cyanoacrylate, epoxy_two_part, solvent_contact_or_spray, specialty_multi_surface_adhesive, fabric_textile, decoupage_sealer_medium, wood_glue. Question to ask: PVA, hot glue, super glue, epoxy, or something else? Used as: top-level split, filter. Data: derived from listing fields, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Derive from the product title/category ('tacky glue', 'hot glue sticks', 'super glue', 'E6000', 'Mod Podge', 'wood glue', 'fabric glue', 'spray adhesive'). Title and category keyword matching covers nearly all listings; brand names are a strong signal (Titebond maps to wood_glue, Mod Podge to decoupage_sealer_medium, E6000 and similar squeeze-tube 'multi-surface'/'all-purpose' adhesives to specialty_multi_surface_adhesive rather than solvent_contact_or_spray, since several are solvent-based but explicitly non-flammable). ### Permanent or removable Whether the bond is meant to be permanent, or to hold temporarily and release cleanly (repositionable or washable). A permanent adhesive and a repositionable one are engineered to do opposite things: permanent formulas maximize final bond strength, while repositionable and washable formulas deliberately limit tack so the bond lets go without tearing paper, fabric, or skin. Buying the wrong one means either a layout that won't restick or a 'permanent' project that falls apart. [1] [22] Values: permanent, repositionable_removable, washable_water_soluble. Question to ask: Needs to stay forever, or come off later? Used as: top-level split, filter. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Spray adhesives and glue sticks usually say 'permanent' or 'repositionable' on the can/label; school PVA usually says 'washable'. Keyword match the title/label; default to permanent when nothing is stated, since that's the more common case outside spray adhesives and glue sticks. ### Glue gun temperature The melt/output temperature of the glue gun and stick: ultra-low (~250F), low (~300F), high (~380-420F), or dual/switchable. Temperature, not wattage, decides both bond strength and what the gun is safe to touch: high-temp gives the strongest bond on wood, metal, and thick plastic but will melt foam, thin fabric, and delicate trims, while low-temp is the safe choice for foam, fabric, and kids' crafts at some cost to bond strength. Wattage only controls how fast the gun melts and recovers. [11] [12] Values: ultra_low_250f, low_300f, high_380_420f, dual_switchable. Question to ask: Low-temp gun for foam/fabric, or high-temp for wood/metal? Used as: filter. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Stated directly in the title or specs ('low temp', 'high temp', 'dual temp', or a degree value). Keyword/number match in the title; mini (7mm) sticks are usually low-wattage/low-temp guns and full-size (11mm) sticks usually high-temp. Chart: position on a low-to-high melt-temperature scale. ### Format The physical form the adhesive comes in: liquid in a bottle, gel, a solid stick, hot-melt sticks for a glue gun, a two-part syrup/putty, an aerosol spray, or a tape/film. Format decides how controllable the application is. A stick glue stays exactly where drawn and won't wrinkle paper, a liquid can be spread thin or pool and warp paper, a spray covers large flat areas evenly but overspray needs ventilation, and a film/tape gives a precise, mess-free bond line for fabric. The same chemistry behaves very differently depending on which format it ships in. [1] [11] Values: liquid_bottle, gel, solid_stick, hot_melt_stick_for_gun, two_part_syrup_or_putty, aerosol_spray, tape_or_film. Question to ask: Bottle, stick, spray, or glue gun? Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Almost always obvious from the title and product photo ('glue stick', 'hot glue sticks', 'spray adhesive'). Title keyword match; near 100% coverage. ### Laundering safety Whether the bonded fabric seam survives machine washing and drying, hand-wash only, or should be dry-cleaned/spot-cleaned only. A fabric glue that's only hand-wash safe will fail in a washer/dryer cycle, which matters for clothing and anything laundered rather than just displayed; machine-washable formulas are built to flex with the fabric and resist detergent and heat, while basic craft glue used on fabric in a pinch usually isn't. [5] [20] Values: machine_washable_and_dryable, hand_wash_only, dry_clean_or_spot_only. Question to ask: Will this go through the washer and dryer? Used as: filter. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Stated on fabric-glue packaging directly ('washer/dryer safe', 'wash inside out on gentle cycle'). Keyword match 'washable', 'machine wash', 'dry clean'; default fabric-specific glues to machine_washable_and_dryable and general craft glue used off-label to hand_wash_only. ### Needs an iron to set Whether the glue needs an iron (heat) to activate and bond, or sets at room temperature without heat. Heat-activated fabric glue (apply, cover with cloth, iron on a cotton setting for about 30 seconds) gives a thinner, more durable, more washable bond than a liquid fabric glue that air-dries at room temperature, but it needs an iron and a flat fabric, which rules it out for 3D items like plush toys where a no-heat liquid glue is the only practical option. [20] [21] Values: heat_activated_iron_required, no_heat_air_dry. Question to ask: Fine to iron on, or does it need to just air-dry? Used as: filter. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Stated directly ('thermo-activated', 'iron-on', 'no-sew no-iron'). Keyword match 'iron', 'heat-set', 'thermo'; default basic liquid fabric glue to no_heat_air_dry. ### Best surface match The one or two surfaces this adhesive is actually formulated for, such as porous paper/wood, fabric, foam, or nonporous glass/metal/ceramic. Most glue failures are a substrate mismatch, not a bad product: water-based PVA needs a porous surface to soak into and barely holds on glass or metal, while cyanoacrylate and epoxy need no porosity at all and bond nonporous surfaces that PVA can't touch. Matching the glue to the actual material being joined matters more than brand or price. [1] [5] Values: porous_paper_or_wood, fabric_textile, foam_or_polystyrene, nonporous_glass_metal_ceramic, flexible_rubber_or_leather, general_multi_surface. Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Sometimes stated as 'for paper and fabric' etc. in the description; otherwise infer from adhesive_family. Cross-reference adhesive_family and any surface words in the title/description. Chart: category badges per surface, grouped by family. ### Dries clear or colored Whether the cured adhesive is see-through, white/translucent, or stays visibly colored. Clear-drying glue is essential for glass, acetate, sequins, and anything where a visible glue line would show; a glue that dries white or translucent is fine for opaque paper and wood but will show at the edge of a clear material. Several liquid PVA formulas go on tinted so you can see coverage, then dry clear. [17] Values: dries_clear, dries_white_or_translucent, pigmented_or_tinted. Question to ask: Does it need to dry invisible, or is color fine? Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Usually stated in the title or description ('dries clear'). Title keyword match; default liquid PVA to dries_clear and tacky/craft glue to dries_white_or_translucent when unstated. ### Archival / acid-free Whether the adhesive is acid-free and won't yellow, embrittle, or discolor paper and photos over years, the standard scrapbooking and framing buyers check for. A non-archival glue can slowly turn acidic and yellow or embrittle the paper or photo it's bonded to over years, which ruins scrapbooks, art prints, and keepsakes long after the project is finished. Acid-free/archival-safe labeling is the signal buyers look for on anything meant to last, and it's unrelated to how strong or fast the bond is. [22] [19] Values: acid_free_archival_safe, not_specified_standard. Question to ask: Does this need to last for decades, like photos or keepsakes? Used as: filter. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Stated directly as 'acid-free', 'archival', or 'photo-safe' in the title/description for scrapbooking and photo-mount products; silent on most general craft glue. Keyword match 'acid-free'/'archival'/'photo-safe'; default to not_specified_standard when absent. ### CA glue viscosity How thick the liquid cyanoacrylate is before it cures: thin/wicking, medium, or thick/gel. Thinner CA wicks into tight joints by capillary action and sets almost instantly but runs off anything that isn't a snug fit; thicker gel-type CA stays exactly where placed and can bridge small gaps, at the cost of a slower set and less penetration into fine joints. Picking the wrong viscosity is a common reason CA glue either runs everywhere or never reaches the joint. [9] [2] Values: thin_wicking, medium, thick_gel. Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Usually in the title ('thin CA glue', 'gel super glue'). Title keyword match for 'thin'/'gel'/'thick'; default unlabeled bottles to medium, the most common general-purpose grade. Chart: position on a thin-to-thick viscosity scale. ### Finish sheen The final sheen of the cured decoupage medium/sealer: matte, satin, or gloss. Sheen is a pure finish choice with no effect on bond strength: gloss gives the most saturated look and shows fingerprints and brush strokes most readily, matte hides application texture but can look slightly cloudy over dark colors, and satin splits the difference. All three are usually the same PVA-based formula underneath. [19] [18] Values: matte, satin, gloss. Question to ask: Matte, satin, or glossy finish? Used as: filter. Data: on the listing, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Always in the product name ('Mod Podge Matte', 'Gloss'). Title keyword match; near 100% coverage since it's the product's primary variant name. ### Working time before it grabs How long the glue stays repositionable or workable after application, before it sets enough to resist movement. Working time is the flip side of 'fast': cyanoacrylate sets within seconds once two moistened surfaces are pressed together, while PVA, wood glue, and two-part epoxy can leave anywhere from a few minutes to over half an hour to reposition parts before they set. A buyer doing precise placement wants more time; a quick repair wants less. [2] [15] Values: seconds_instant_grab, minutes_1_to_10, minutes_10_to_45, extended_45_plus. Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Rarely a listing field; usually stated in the product description or TDS as 'sets in X seconds/minutes'. Needs the brand's TDS or description text; default by adhesive_family when missing (cyanoacrylate to seconds, PVA/epoxy to minutes). Chart: position on a fast-to-slow working-time scale. ### Gap-filling ability Whether the adhesive can bridge a visible gap between two surfaces or only works as a thin, tight-contact bond line. Standard thin cyanoacrylate and PVA bond well only in a thin film and get noticeably weaker as the gap widens; thick/gel CA, epoxy, and E6000-style adhesives are formulated to stay put and fill gaps, which matters for warped, rough, or imperfectly fitted parts. Picking a thin-bond glue for a gappy joint is a common cause of a weak repair. [2] [5] Values: thin_bond_line_only, moderate_gap_fill, excellent_structural_gap_fill. Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Rarely stated directly; 'gel' or 'thick' in the title is the usual signal, as is 'gap-filling' in marketing copy. Default thin/liquid formats to thin_bond_line_only and gel/thick/putty formats to moderate or excellent per family. Chart: position on a gap-filling scale. ### Flexibility after cure Whether the cured glue stays rigid and brittle, semi-flexible, or fully flexible/elastomeric once set. A rigid bond is strongest in a straight pull but cracks under flexing, vibration, or impact; a flexible bond moves with the material instead of cracking, which matters for fabric, shoes, flexible phone cases, or anything that gets bent or dropped. Cyanoacrylate and most PVA cure rigid; E6000-style adhesives and fabric glue cure flexible on purpose. [2] [5] Values: rigid_brittle, semi_flexible, fully_flexible_elastomeric. Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Stated in the TDS as 'flexible after cure' or 'remains flexible'; otherwise infer from family. E6000/contact-cement style and fabric glues are marketed as flexible; CA and standard PVA default to rigid. Chart: position on a rigid-to-flexible scale. ### Water resistance How the cured bond holds up against water, from fully water-soluble to passing a boiling-water test; for wood glue this is the ANSI/HPVA Type I/II/III rating. This decides whether a project survives being washed, rained on, or boiled. Washable school PVA is designed to let go in water; Titebond II passes the ANSI/HPVA Type II test (four hours soaked, oven-dried, repeated) for light water exposure; Titebond III passes the tougher Type I boiling-water test. No craft wood glue is rated for continuous submersion. [7] [8] Values: water_soluble_washable, water_resistant_type_ii, boiling_water_resistant_type_i, waterproof_marine_grade. Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Wood glue states 'Type I/II/III' or 'waterproof'/'water-resistant' on the label; other families rarely state a water-resistance class. For the wood_glue branch, map label wording directly to the ANSI/HPVA type; for other families, default to water_soluble_washable for PVA/glue stick and leave unspecified otherwise. Chart: position on a water-resistance scale. ### Safe on foam Whether the adhesive can touch polystyrene/EPS craft foam without melting or dissolving it. Foam board and craft foam are deceptively easy to ruin: standard cyanoacrylate and solvent-based adhesives (contact cement, many spray adhesives) dissolve the polystyrene core, and a high-temp hot glue gun melts straight through it. Water-based PVA and a low-temp glue gun setting are the two reliably safe options, which isn't obvious from the adhesive family alone. [13] [14] Values: foam_safe, dissolves_or_melts_foam_avoid, foam_safe_only_on_low_setting. Used as: filter. Data: needs research, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Occasionally stated as 'foam safe' in the title; otherwise not on the listing at all. Default cyanoacrylate and solvent_contact_or_spray to dissolves_or_melts_foam_avoid, PVA to foam_safe, and hot_melt to foam_safe_only_on_low_setting. ### Safety / toxicity profile The product's certified safety/toxicity status and flammability: ACMI AP-seal nontoxic, ACMI CL caution-labeled, or flammable/solvent-based requiring ventilation. ASTM D4236 (enforced in the US under LHAMA) requires every art/craft material to carry a chronic-hazard label; the ACMI AP seal means a toxicologist found it non-injurious even for young children, while a CL (caution label) seal flags a real hazard like skin-bonding risk or fumes. Solvent-based adhesives add a separate flammability concern that water-based glues don't have. [3] [4] Values: acmi_ap_nontoxic, acmi_cl_caution_labeled, flammable_solvent_ventilate, not_evaluated_or_unlabeled. Used as: filter, shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: The AP or CL seal icon is usually on the packaging/product photo, not a structured listing field; flammability is on the SDS, occasionally repeated in the description. Look for 'AP seal' or 'nontoxic' or a flammability warning in the title/description/images; default kids'-marketed PVA and glue sticks to acmi_ap_nontoxic and aerosol/contact-cement products to flammable_solvent_ventilate, but check the TDS for specialty_multi_surface_adhesive (E6000-style) products first — several are solvent-based yet labeled non-flammable, so that default doesn't apply to them. ### Full cure time How long the bond needs to fully harden to final strength, separate from how fast it first grabs. A joint can feel solid in minutes but still be far from its final strength — epoxy that's handleable in under an hour may need 16 to 72 hours to reach full bond strength, and PVA wood glue is routinely clamped overnight even though it skins over in minutes. Moving or stressing a joint before full cure is the single most common cause of a 'strong glue' failing. [15] [5] [6] Values: under_1_hour, hours_1_to_24, hours_24_to_72, days_or_weeks. Used as: shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Usually only in the TDS, not the retail listing; the retail listing sometimes states 'dries in X minutes', which is tack time, not full cure. Pull from brand TDS when available; default decoupage/PVA mediums to days_or_weeks and two-part epoxy/CA to hours_1_to_24 when no TDS is found. Chart: position on a fast-to-slow full-cure scale. ### Benefits from an accelerator Whether the project benefits from (or the kit includes) an accelerator/'kicker' spray that forces an instant cure on demand. Plain CA glue cures on ambient humidity, which can be slow or inconsistent in dry air or on non-absorbent surfaces; an accelerator spray forces an instant, full-strength cure on contact, which matters for production work (RC models, miniatures) where waiting isn't practical, but it also makes the bond more brittle than a naturally cured joint. [10] [2] Values: accelerator_recommended_or_included, cures_unaided. Used as: shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost medium. Look for it as: Sold as a separate product or bundled kit; rarely a field on the glue listing itself. Infer from whether the listing is part of a kit that includes an accelerator bottle; default standalone CA bottles to cures_unaided. ### How it cures The physical or chemical process that turns the wet adhesive into a solid bond: evaporation/absorption, cooling, moisture-triggered polymerization, two-part chemical reaction, or solvent flash-off. The cure mechanism explains the rest of the spec sheet. Evaporation-cured glues need a porous surface to absorb moisture into and fail on glass or metal. Moisture-triggered cyanoacrylate needs a little ambient humidity to set and can be sped up with an accelerator. Two-part reactions need accurate mixing or they stay tacky forever. Knowing the mechanism predicts failure modes before they happen. [1] [2] Values: evaporation_or_absorption, cooling_solidification, moisture_triggered_polymerization, two_part_chemical_reaction, solvent_flash_off. Used as: shown on the card. Data: needs research, backfill cost low. Look for it as: Not listed directly; inferred from adhesive_family since each family has one dominant cure mechanism. Fill with a static lookup table keyed on adhesive_family since the mapping is fixed by chemistry. ## What you give up - Thick CA glue stays put and fills small gaps instantly, but cyanoacrylate bonds are inherently brittle and shear easily, so it's a poor choice for anything that flexes, vibrates, or takes a sideways hit. [2] [9] Board branch: "See more flexible, impact-resistant adhesives". - A high-temp glue gun bonds wood, metal, and thick plastic far more strongly than a low-temp gun, but that same heat melts craft foam and can scorch delicate fabric, so crafters doing both jobs need two guns or a dual-temp one. [11] [13] Board branch: "See more foam-safe, low-temp adhesives". - A fast 5-minute epoxy lets you move on sooner, but a 30-minute epoxy has more time to soak into a porous surface before it sets and generally reaches a slightly stronger final bond on surfaces like wood. [15] [16] Board branch: "See more slow-cure, maximum-strength adhesives". ## Words you will meet - **PVA (polyvinyl acetate)**. The water-based polymer in white school glue, tacky glue, and wood glue that sets as its water evaporates into a porous surface. - **Cyanoacrylate**. The chemical name for 'super glue'; it polymerizes almost instantly in the presence of trace surface moisture. - **Hot melt adhesive**. A solid thermoplastic glue stick that a glue gun melts into a liquid, which then bonds as it cools and re-solidifies. - **Epoxy**. A two-part adhesive (resin plus hardener) that cross-links into a rigid plastic once mixed, for the category's strongest structural bonds. - **Contact cement**. A solvent-based adhesive applied to both surfaces and pressed together once tacky, rather than wet-bonded like most glue. - **Decoupage medium**. A brushable PVA-based glue-and-sealer combo used to adhere paper or fabric and coat it with a protective finish in one step. - **Open time / working time**. How long an adhesive stays repositionable after application, before it grabs enough to resist movement. - **Accelerator (kicker)**. A spray or liquid activator that forces an almost-instant cure on cyanoacrylate glue on contact. - **Viscosity (cps)**. How thick a liquid adhesive is, measured in centipoise; thin flows and wicks, thick stays put. - **ACMI AP seal**. A certification showing a toxicologist found the product non-injurious to humans, including young children, under ASTM D4236. - **ASTM D4236**. The US standard requiring chronic-hazard labeling on art and craft materials, enforced under the LHAMA law. - **Archival / acid-free**. Formulated with a neutral pH so it won't yellow, embrittle, or discolor paper and photos over years. - **ANSI/HPVA Type I/II/III**. The water-resistance classification for wood glue; Type I passes a boiling-water test, Type II a milder soak-and-dry test. - **Specialty multi-surface adhesive**. A synthetic-rubber adhesive like E6000 that bonds dissimilar materials (metal, glass, wood, fabric) with a flexible, gap-filling bond; solvent-based but often sold non-flammable. - **Flash-off**. The stage where a solvent-based adhesive's carrier solvent evaporates off before the bond is pressed together or fully sets. - **Elastomeric**. Behaving like rubber: able to stretch and flex well after cure instead of staying rigid. ## Where we made a call - 5-minute and 30-minute epoxy differ mainly in handling time, not dramatically in final bond strength. (confidence medium). Devcon's own TDS and an independent epoxy buyer's guide both show full-strength cure taking far longer than the working-time label, for both speeds. [15] [16] - Titebond II and III resist water about equally in normal use; III's edge is boiling-water resistance. (confidence medium). Both the brand's own classification page and an independent woodworking reviewer describe III's advantage as high-temperature/steam resistance, not everyday water resistance. [7] [8] ## References 1. [Adhesive](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adhesive) (primer). Supports: Defines adhesive bonding mechanisms and general chemistry categories; Covers evaporation/absorption and reactive cure types broadly. 2. [Cyanoacrylate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanoacrylate) (primer). Supports: Cyanoacrylate rapidly polymerizes in presence of water/surface moisture; Thin layers bond effectively, thick layers much less so; Short shelf life: about one year unopened, one month opened. 3. [Materials Safety (ACMI)](https://www.acmiart.org/materials-safety) (standards body). Supports: AP seal certifies nontoxic per ASTM D4236 and LHAMA for children; CL seal flags acute/chronic hazards requiring caution labeling. 4. [ASTM D-4236 Art Supplies: A Parent's Safety Guide](https://www.bluebyartshop.com/guide/astm-d4236-art-supplies-parent-guide) (primer). Supports: ASTM D-4236 chronic-hazard labeling is mandatory under LHAMA for US art materials. 5. [E6000 Craft Adhesive Technical Data Sheet](http://eclecticproducts.com/downloads/tds-e6000-craft-english.pdf) (spec sheet). Supports: Tack time ~4 min, set 20 min, full cure 24-72h, non-flammable, washer/dryer safe. 6. [E6000 Craft Adhesive Use and Care Guide (Lowe's)](https://pdf.lowes.com/useandcareguides/076818364139_use.pdf) (spec sheet). Supports: Retailer-hosted reprint of the manufacturer's own TDS, not an independent confirmation. 7. [Which Glue? I, II or III?](https://titebond.co.uk/pages/which-glue-i-ii-or-iii) (spec sheet). Supports: Titebond III passes ANSI/HPVA Type I (boiling-water, 'waterproof') spec; Titebond II passes ANSI/HPVA Type II water-resistance spec. 8. [Differences Between Titebond Glues](https://thewoodwhisperer.com/articles/differences-between-titebond-glues/) (specialist review). Supports: Explains ANSI/HPVA Type I vs II test procedures and open-time differences. 9. [Understanding CA Glue Viscosity: Thin vs Medium vs Thick](https://gluemasters.com/blogs/articles/understanding-ca-glue-viscosity-thin-vs-medium-vs-thick-explained) (spec sheet). Supports: CA viscosity grades from thin/wicking to thick/gel and their behavior. 10. [CA Glue Accelerator and Debonder](https://gluemasters.com/blogs/articles/ca-glue-accelerator-and-debonder-how-to-use-kicker-when-to-apply-and-safe-removal) (spec sheet). Supports: Accelerator ('kicker') forces near-instant CA cure vs seconds-to-minutes unaided. 11. [Glue Gun Wattage Explained](https://surebonder.com/blogs/surebonder-blog/glue-gun-wattage-explained-how-to-pick-the-right-hot-glue-gun-for-your-project) (spec sheet). Supports: Low temp ~300F safe for foam/fabric; high temp ~380F for wood/metal. 12. [Adhesive Types: Low Temp Glue Gun](https://www.zdschemical.com/blog/adhesive-types-low-temp-glue-gun/) (enthusiast community). Supports: Corroborates low ~250-300F vs high ~380-420F glue gun temperature ranges. 13. [10 Best Glues for Foam Board](https://www.4over4.com/article/10-best-glues-for-foam-board) (enthusiast community). Supports: Standard super glue and solvent adhesives dissolve the polystyrene foam core; Low-temp hot glue setting is safe on foam board's paper face. 14. [Can You Use a Hot Glue Gun on Foam?](https://foamfanatic.com/can-you-use-a-hot-glue-gun-on-foam/) (enthusiast community). Supports: High heat from a glue gun risks melting EPS/craft foam directly. 15. [Devcon 5-Minute Epoxy Technical Data Sheet](https://www.freemansupply.com/datasheets/Devcon/devcon-5minepoxy.pdf) (spec sheet). Supports: 5-minute epoxy: 4 min working time, 45min functional cure, 16h full strength. 16. [Epoxy Adhesive Drying Time](https://www.defusco.com/epoxy-adhesive-drying-time/) (enthusiast community). Supports: 30-minute epoxy: 6-8h handling strength, 24-48h full cure, confirms pattern. 17. [The best PVA glue to buy](https://www.gathered.how/arts-crafts/guide-to-pva-glue) (enthusiast community). Supports: Liquid PVA dries clear, good for securing sequins, beads, and gems. 18. [Does Mod Podge Dry Clear?](https://modpodgerocksblog.com/does-mod-podge-dry-clear/) (specialist review). Supports: Mod Podge dries within hours/overnight but fully cures in 3-4 weeks. 19. [What is Mod Podge?](https://thegraphicsfairy.com/what-is-mod-podge/) (specialist review). Supports: Mod Podge sold in matte/satin/gloss sheens; dishwasher safe after 28 days curing; Archival PVA is pH-neutral and acid-free, prevents yellowing. 20. [Aleene's Insta-Fuse Fabric Fusion product page](https://aleenes.com/products/aleenes-insta-fuse-fabric-fusion-thermo-activated-instant-fabric-adhesive-4-fl-oz) (spec sheet). Supports: Heat-set: iron 30s on cotton setting; wash gentle cycle, dry on low heat. 21. [Ultimate Guide to Iron On Adhesive for Fabric](https://www.maggieframes.com/blogs/embroidery-blogs/ultimate-guide-to-iron-on-adhesive-for-fabric) (enthusiast community). Supports: Iron-on adhesives are heat-activated and enable no-sew fabric bonding. 22. [Spray Mount Repositionable Adhesive](https://flaxart.com/spray-mount-repositionable-adhesive/) (spec sheet). Supports: Spray mount is photo-safe and repositionable for about 10 minutes; Same category page lists a spray marketed as both moisture-resistant and repositionable, so permanence and water resistance aren't reliably linked.