Will Gorilla Glue Hold Ceramic?
Gorilla Glue is a popular polyurethane-based adhesive known for its high strength and versatility on multiple surfaces. It utilizes moisture to cure, expanding into materials for a super strong bond. Gorilla Glue can bond wood, stone, metal, ceramic, foam, glass and more. One formula works on various materials including plastic, metal, stone, ceramic, paper, rubber and more.
Ceramics are inorganic, non-metallic materials made from clay and inorganic materials that are hardened by firing at high temperatures. They are porous yet rigid, and challenging to bond due to their low surface energy. Ceramics can be glazed or unglazed, porous or non-porous, making each ceramic piece somewhat unique.
Bonding ceramics can be difficult because of their rigid structure and low surface energy. The porous nature of ceramic also makes it prone to absorb excess adhesive. Choosing the right adhesive and preparing the ceramic surface properly is key for durable ceramic repairs.
How Gorilla Glue Works
The main ingredient in Original Gorilla Glue is polyurethane. When polyurethane comes into contact with moisture, the water molecules react with the isocyanate groups in the glue to form rigid cross-linked polymer structures that set and harden (Gorilla Glue). This moisture-activated curing process is what gives Gorilla Glue its incredibly strong bonding power.
Some key strengths of Gorilla Glue are that it can bond dissimilar surfaces like wood, stone, metal, ceramic, foam and more. It also expands as it cures, allowing it to fill gaps between surfaces. Additionally, Gorilla Glue is resistant to water and most chemicals once fully cured (Gorilla Glue).
However, Gorilla Glue takes 1-2 hours to fully cure and set. It also requires clamping the glued objects together as it expands and dries. Gorilla Glue can also cause staining or leave an uneven surface finish if too much is applied or if squeeze-out is not cleaned up promptly.
Ceramic Materials and Properties
Ceramic materials are inorganic and nonmetallic materials that are typically made by shaping the raw materials and firing them at high temperatures. Ceramics are hard, brittle materials that have high melting points, good chemical resistance and electrical insulating properties (“Structure and Properties of Ceramics”).
Some common ceramic materials include alumina, zirconia, silicon carbide, and porcelain. Ceramics can be crystalline or partly crystalline. They are typically poor conductors of heat and electricity (“Ceramics: Definition, Properties, Types, and Applications”).
One of the notable properties of ceramics is their high hardness and brittleness compared to metals. Ceramics have very strong ionic and covalent bonds between atoms, which makes them rigid. However, this brittleness also makes ceramics prone to cracking under stresses. Even a small crack can rapidly grow through the material once initiated (“Ceramic Material Properties”).
Challenges of Bonding Ceramics
Ceramics present several unique challenges when bonding to other materials. Three major issues are the low surface energy, brittleness, and thermal expansion of ceramics.
Ceramics like porcelain and ceramic tiles have an inherently low surface energy, making adhesion difficult (1). The inert surfaces don’t form strong bonds with adhesives. Pretreatment is often required to increase surface energy and make the material more “bondable.”
Ceramics are also very brittle. They can crack or shatter under stresses from thermal or physical shocks. The bonding process and materials used must account for this brittleness to prevent damage (2).
Thermal expansion differences between ceramics and other materials can stress bonds during heating and cooling. Ceramics expand and contract at different rates than metals or polymers. Proper adhesive choice and joint design can help compensate for mismatches in thermal expansion.
(1) https://medium.com/@ronyjonykk/ceramic-to-metal-sealing-challenges-and-solutions-3a0563827936
(2) https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/51805
Surface Preparation
Proper surface preparation is crucial for creating a strong, long-lasting bond with ceramic materials. Ceramic surfaces must be thoroughly cleaned before gluing to remove any oils, grease, or contaminants. Clean with isopropyl alcohol, acetone, or other degreasing solutions. For additional cleaning power, lightly scrub the surface with a non-abrasive scouring pad.
The ceramic pieces should also be roughened or textured to help the adhesive mechanically grip the material. This can be done by lightly sanding the gluing surfaces with fine grit sandpaper. Be very gentle, as you do not want to scratch or damage the ceramic. Simply scuff up the surface so it is no longer ultra-smooth. Some sources recommend etching the ceramic with acids like hydrofluoric acid for better adhesion, but this requires extreme care and safety precautions.[1]
Using a primer before gluing can also improve bond strength. Primers work by chemically bonding to the ceramic surface to provide an intermediary layer for the glue to grab onto. Products like Loctite 770 or 3M Scotch-Weld Ceramic Primer provide excellent results with many ceramic adhesives.[2]
With proper cleaning, texturing, and use of a primer, you can maximize the strength of any ceramic glue bond.
Applying Gorilla Glue to Ceramic Surfaces
When applying Gorilla Glue to ceramic materials, it’s important to use the right amount and follow the proper clamping and curing procedures for best results. According to the Gorilla Glue website, you should apply a thin layer of glue since it expands up to 3 times in volume. They recommend using approximately 1⁄2 ounce of glue per square foot of surface area. Applying too much glue can lead to excess squeeze out and messy cleanup.
After applying the glue, clamp the ceramic objects together with just enough pressure to create a thin glue line. Clamping for the full recommended time allows for maximum bond strength. Gorilla Glue guidelines say to clamp pieces together for 2 hours before removing clamps or weights (Clear Gorilla Glue). Allow the glue to cure fully over 24 hours before subjecting it to any loads or stress.
For best results, Gorilla Glue should be applied and allowed to cure in room temperature conditions between 55-75°F. Temperatures below 50°F can significantly increase cure time.
Bond Strength Testing
Gorilla Glue has high bond strength when adhering ceramics, whether tested in shear or tensile configurations. Shear strength measures how well an adhesive resists forces parallel to the bonded surface, while tensile strength measures how well it handles forces perpendicular to the surface.(1)
Gorilla Glue can achieve shear strength exceeding 1000 psi on ceramic materials. Tensile strength can reach over 4250 psi, based on product specifications.(2) Bond strength depends on proper surface preparation, application method, curing conditions, and the specific ceramic and Gorilla Glue products used.
Roughening the ceramic surface via sanding or etching improves mechanical adhesion. Matching the adhesive viscosity and ceramic porosity allows deeper glue penetration. Clamping parts tightly during curing maximizes contact area. Moisture-cured Gorilla Glue formulations reach full strength more slowly at low humidity levels.
Real World Examples
Many crafters and builders have successfully used Gorilla Glue products on ceramic materials. Here are some real world examples:
On a YouTube tutorial video, a potter demonstrates gluing handles onto ceramic mugs using Gorilla Super Glue gel. She emphasizes the importance of roughening the surfaces first and clamping the pieces together while the glue dries. The repaired mugs are fully functional and able to withstand repeated dishwasher cycles.
A Reddit user in r/ceramics shared a photo of a ceramic bowl they repaired with Gorilla Super Glue after it was dropped and broken into several pieces. They roughened the broken edges, applied glue sparingly, and held the pieces in place with painter’s tape overnight. After 24 hours, the repaired bowl was leakproof and looked seamless.
On a blog about crafting, a writer tells how she used Gorilla Glue Epoxy Putty to fix a broken ceramic flower pot. She mixed equal parts of the putty, pressed it over the cracks, then smoothed it flush. After letting it cure for a full day, she painted over the putty for an invisible repair that allowed the planter to be used again.
These examples demonstrate that with proper surface prep and application techniques, Gorilla Glue products can create excellent bonds on ceramic materials, even repairing broken items and allowing them to be reused.
Tips for Success
Here are some key tips to ensure success when using Gorilla Glue on ceramics:
Do’s
- Always test in an inconspicuous area first to ensure compatibility and desired results
- Roughen smooth surfaces with sandpaper to improve adhesion
- Clamp glued items together for the recommended cure time
- Wipe away any excess glue immediately before drying
Don’ts
- Don’t glue items together when the temperature is below 55°F
- Don’t disturb or move items while glue is curing
- Don’t use expired or previously frozen glue
- Don’t expect Gorilla Glue to fill gaps – it works best on tight fitting joints
Troubleshooting Tips
- If Gorilla Glue foams on contact, moisten surfaces with water first
- If Gorilla Glue dries too fast, apply in thinner layers
- If glue joint fails, ensure you roughened the surfaces properly beforehand
- White powdery residue indicates a poor bond – scrape off and reapply glue
Following these tips will help ensure Gorilla Glue provides a strong bond between ceramic materials. Test thoroughly and allow proper cure time for the most durable results. With care and patience, Gorilla Glue can form incredibly strong ceramic repairs.
Conclusion
Gorilla Glue can be an effective option for gluing ceramics if used properly. With the right surface preparation, application method, clamping pressure, and curing time, strong and long-lasting bonds are achievable. Test results show Gorilla Glue provides adequate strength for most ceramic bonding projects.
When working with porous ceramics like terra cotta, it’s essential to seal the surface first so the glue doesn’t soak in too quickly. Non-porous surfaces like glazed ceramics require thorough cleaning and roughening for the best adhesion. Clamping pressure and proper curing time also play a key role.
While epoxy may be a better choice for heavy load-bearing ceramic bonds, Gorilla Glue can work for most household repairs and craft projects. Just be sure to follow the preparation, application, and curing steps outlined above. With some testing and practice, Gorilla Glue and ceramics can form strong, lasting bonds.
