Can You Glue Two Pieces Of Clay Together?

Clay is a versatile material that has been used for centuries to create pottery, sculpture, and decorative objects. While clay can be shaped when wet, gluing separate pieces of clay together allows even more creative possibilities.

Gluing clay allows you to combine individually sculpted clay components into a larger whole. It also enables attaching decorative elements. In addition, gluing can repair cracks or broken sections. With the right glue and technique, strong bonds can be formed between clay surfaces.

When gluing clay, it’s important to choose an appropriate adhesive for the job. Factors like clay composition, desired strength, and finishing process must be considered. Properly preparing surfaces and applying the right amount of glue is also key. With some knowledge of clay properties and gluing techniques, impressive clay creations can be constructed.

Types of Clay

There are three main types of clay that are commonly used in pottery and sculpture: earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. Knowing the differences between these clays can help you select the right type for your project.

Earthenware is a soft, porous clay that is fired at lower temperatures, typically between 1000-1150°C. It can be glazed to make it watertight. Earthenware clays are easier to work with and are ideal for beginner potters or sculpture artists. However, earthenware pieces are more fragile than stoneware or porcelain.

Stoneware is stronger and less porous than earthenware. It’s fired between 1200-1300°C, resulting in a hard, non-absorbent ceramic that can withstand freezing temperatures. Stoneware clay requires more skill to shape and throw on a wheel. It’s excellent for functional pottery as well as sculptures and decorative objects.

Porcelain is the strongest type of ceramic clay. It’s made from fine kaolin clay and fires between 1200-1400°C. Porcelain is highly resistant to chipping and breaking, and it has very low porosity. It’s commonly used for tableware, dolls, figurines, and other delicate items. However, porcelain can be challenging to work with due to its high shrinkage rate during firing.

Choosing a Glue

When gluing two pieces of clay together, it’s important to pick the right adhesive for the job. Here are some of the most common glues used for clay:

White glue – Also known as PVA or craft glue, white glue is safe and easy to use. It dries clear and flexible. White glue provides a strong bond for most clays.

Cyanoacrylate (super glue) – Super glue creates an instant, rigid bond. It’s useful for quick repairs or small clay pieces. Super glue can leave white residue on porous clay surfaces.

Epoxy – A two-part adhesive, epoxy makes an extremely durable bond and can fill larger gaps. It requires thorough mixing and takes time to cure, so epoxy is best for complex clay projects.

Liquid clay – Some clays can be thinned into a liquid “slip” that acts as a glue when applied between pieces. Liquid clay creates a strong bond and blends surfaces seamlessly.

Consider the characteristics of each glue and choose the one that best suits your clay type and project needs.

Applying the Glue

When gluing two pieces of clay together, it’s important to apply the glue evenly and smoothly for the strongest bond. Here are some tips for applying clay glue:

• Add glue to both surfaces – Don’t just glue one side. Applying a thin layer of glue to both clay surfaces helps the glue spread evenly.
• Use a disposable brush or silicone brush – A disposable brush like a popsicle stick or old gift card allows you to spread the glue smoothly without messing up your good brushes. Silicone clay shapers also work great.
• Apply an even coat – Try to avoid globs or uneven clumps of glue. Spread the glue out into a smooth, consistent layer over the entire surface to be joined.
• Let the glue tack up – After applying glue to both pieces, let it become slightly tacky before joining. This helps prevent slipping.
• Avoid over-gluing – More glue isn’t necessarily better. Too much can lead to glue oozing out or preventing a tight seal. A thin, even layer is best.
• Carefully align pieces – Once glue is tacky, carefully line up pieces to avoid slipping and bumps in the joint.
• Gently press together – Set pieces together gently rather than harshly smashing them. Some pressure helps maximize contact.
• Wipe away excess glue – After pressing pieces together, wipe away any excess glue along the seams for a cleaner finish.

Following these tips will help you smoothly apply clay glue for a strong, nearly invisible bond between clay pieces.

Drying and Curing

After applying glue to join two pieces of clay, it’s important to let it dry and cure properly for maximum strength. Here are some tips for drying and curing glued clay:

Allow the glued clay to air dry completely before baking. Clay glues often require 24-48 hours of drying time. Rushing the drying can cause cracks or weak bonds.

Avoid excess moisture during drying as this can dilute the glue and prevent proper curing. Work in a dry area without high humidity.

Applying gentle pressure while drying can help the pieces bond together. Use clamps, elastic bands, or weights to hold the clay firmly as it dries.

Once fully dry, cure the clay by baking it in an oven according to the clay manufacturer’s instructions. This helps set the glue and finishes the curing process.

After baking, allow the clay to cool completely before handling. The cured glue will now be at full strength.

If gluing a baked piece to an unbaked piece, bake the unbaked portion after the glue has dried to fully cure the bond.

Troubleshooting

Sometimes gluing clay pieces together does not go as smoothly as planned. Here are some common issues to watch out for and tips for fixing them:

Cracks – If cracks form along the joined edges, it likely means your clay pieces were not scored properly before gluing, or they were moved before the glue fully cured. To prevent cracks, thoroughly score the clay edges, allow adequate drying time, and avoid moving the pieces until the bond has fully set.

Weak Bonds – A weak bond can cause joined pieces to separate. This may be from insufficient glue, incompatible glue and clay types, or disturbance before curing was complete. Ensure you use enough glue to fill the scored edges. Verify the glue is appropriate for that clay type. And give the glue several hours or overnight to fully cure before handling.

Visible Glue Lines – Excess glue along the seam lines may remain visible, even after drying. Carefully wipe away any excess glue before drying. Very thin super glues minimize visibility. Or, conceal glue lines by rubbing clay slip into the edges, or lightly sanding them smooth after curing.

With patience and testing on sample pieces, you can troubleshoot glue issues. Allowing adequate drying time is key. Analyzing what went wrong and adjusting your glue choice or application method will help create strong, lasting clay bonds.

Glazing

Glazing is typically one of the final steps when working with clay, adding a glossy, colorful finish. But when gluing clay pieces together, should the glaze go over the glued area? The answer depends on a few factors.

In general, it’s best to avoid applying glaze directly on top of the glue. Most glues form a barrier that prevents the glaze from properly adhering. During firing, the glaze may bubble, crack, or flake off where it overlaps the glue.

Instead, stop the glaze just short of the glued area. Leave a thin border around the glue line without glaze. This helps ensure the glaze fully melts and seals during firing without being disrupted by the glue. It also prevents visible cracks or chips in the glaze down the road.

However, some specialty glues are formulated for higher heat resistance. If using a glue rated for the maximum kiln temperature, it may be safe to fully glaze over the joint. Always check the product instructions.

When in doubt, leave a small glaze-free margin around glued areas. This protects the finish while keeping the joint tightly sealed. With careful gluing technique and strategic glaze placement, you can create strong, beautiful ceramic pieces.

Strength Testing

Once your glued clay pieces have fully cured, it’s important to test the strength of the bond before using them in a project. Here are some tips for testing the strength:

• Try gently pulling the pieces apart with your hands. If they come apart easily, the glue likely needs more curing time.
• Hold the pieces vertically and see if the weight causes them to separate. Gravity will expose a weak glue bond.
• Press on both sides of the seam to see if it buckles or cracks. This indicates the glue did not permeate deep enough into the clay.
• Strike or tap the piece along the glued seam. If it easily breaks apart, the glue bond is too weak.
• Bend or twist the piece to stress the seam. An inflexible or brittle glue will cause it to crack under pressure.
• Test a slice or core sample of the clay for interior seam strength. The bond may be weak inside even if the surface appears strong.

If the glue bond is failing the strength tests, try using more glue, ensuring adequate curing time, or switching to a more flexible and penetrating craft glue suitable for the clay medium.

Examples and Uses

Gluing clay opens up many creative possibilities for clay projects that would be difficult or impossible to create using a single piece of clay.

Figurines and sculptures – Small details like ears, tails, wings, and other protrusions can be separately molded and attached to the main sculpture body.

Jewelry – Clay beads, pendants, and components can be joined together to form necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.

Plates, vases, and bowls – Applying decorative elements made of clay to functional pieces creates an artful look.

Mosaics and inlays – Cut clay pieces can be inlaid into wet clay to create mosaics and decorative patterns.

Multi-media art – Glue can adhere clay pieces to surfaces like wood, glass, and metal to incorporate clay into mixed media art.

Repairs – Glue makes it possible to reattach broken handles, spouts, or pieces that may break off during the creation process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, gluing clay pieces together is absolutely possible with the right techniques. The key is choosing an appropriate ceramic glue suited to the type of clay you are using. Water-based glues like slip or liquid clay work best for air-drying clays, while epoxy or cyanoacrylate gel is recommended for higher-fire clays. Proper application and drying are also critical for a strong bond. Apply the adhesive thinly and evenly to both surfaces, press together firmly, and allow ample drying and curing time before handling. With patience and care, you can glue clay pieces securely to create beautiful sculptural works, functional pottery, or decorative objects. Testing the bond strength before glazing or firing is advised. With the right glue and method, clay parts can be fused into innovative designs.