Assemblers say adhesive is setting up when it starts to drag, string or skin and parts can no longer be slid into place. The phrase covers gelling in two-part systems, cooling of hot melt and drying of water-based glues. Once it has set up, it is too late to reposition or to add parts to the joint.
Get those pieces in now, the epoxy's setting up in the mixer tip.
Also heard as
- set
- setting up
- gel
Related terms
Cure
The chemical reaction or physical change that turns a liquid adhesive into a solid that carries load.
Kick
To gel or cure suddenly, as in a resin kicking in the cup or a CA kicking with accelerator.
Pot life
How long a mixed batch of two-part adhesive stays usable before it thickens too much to apply.
Open time
The longest gap allowed between applying adhesive and closing the joint while it can still wet the second part.