PVA adhesives are water-based emulsions that set as water moves into porous substrates and evaporates, leaving a tough film. Clamp times are typically 30 to 60 minutes, with full strength in about a day. Crosslinking versions improve water resistance for outdoor and kitchen use. PVA joints can creep under constant load and soften with heat, and the glue will not bond non-porous surfaces.
Clamp the face frames for an hour, the PVA needs that long before we flush-trim them.
PVA bonds end grain poorly because the wood soaks the glue away; a thin first coat that is allowed to tack up helps.
Also heard as
- polyvinyl acetate
- white glue
- carpenter's glue
- wood glue
Related terms
Glue-up
The stage of assembly where all parts get adhesive and are clamped together, or the clamped assembly itself.
Starved joint
A joint left short of adhesive, with bare patches or voids where the glue soaked in, squeezed out or never reached.
Creep
Slow, continuing deformation of an adhesive under a constant load, which can end in failure over time.
Squeeze-out
The excess adhesive that oozes out along the joint edges at clamp-up, read as proof the joint is full.