In the narrow sense, glue means an adhesive made from animal or plant protein, but in practice it covers everything from wood glue to structural epoxy. Production staff talk about glue, glue lines and glue guns. Engineers and specifications say adhesive, and saying glue in a design review can make a structural bond sound less serious than it is.
Glue's running low on line two, swap the drum before the bead starts skipping.
Also heard as
- adhesive
Related terms
Super glue
Everyday name for cyanoacrylate instant adhesive, used on the floor for any CA grade.
Hot glue
Floor and craft name for hot melt adhesive, especially sticks fed through a handheld gun.
Bead
A continuous line of adhesive laid on a part, specified by its diameter or cross-section.
Glue-up
The stage of assembly where all parts get adhesive and are clamped together, or the clamped assembly itself.