How Do You Glue Broken Ceramic Together?
Ceramics pieces are all around us, from kitchenware to decorative items. They are unique, fascinating things to have in your household. It is true that breaking a ceramic object can be really infuriating, but most can be repaired. But, how exactly do you glue broken ceramic together?
Repairing a ceramic item is not difficult, as long as you have all pieces and high-quality adhesives, such as super glue or epoxy glue. Before you start your fixing job, collect all the pieces and make a precise plan of which piece to glue first. Place the broken item in a stable position and apply a small amount of glue using the popsicle stick or toothpick.
Below, I will explore the types of adhesives available that can repair our beloved cups, mugs, and other ceramic items. You will learn how to fix broken objects and which glues to use for the best result possible.
What Is The Best Glue To Use On Ceramics?
Every homeowner should have a few different types of adhesives on hand to fix broken household items. When trying to repair a vase, platter, or other ceramic items, the right glue can make all the difference.
I know that it can be an unnerving job to go through the overwhelming selection of glue products available on the market. I have a couple of recommendations to keep in mind when choosing the right glue for ceramic repairs.
If you are going to repair a tableware item or an object designated to hold foods or drink, choose a ceramic glue that is food safe. Correct glue should be able to work with porous surfaces. Without this important characteristic, ceramic items will just absorb the glue.
There are two main types of glues used for fixing ceramic items. I will talk about both of them and discuss which type of glue you should use for specific items.
- Epoxy glues are made of two components: resin and hardener. A great advantage of epoxy glue is that this type of adhesive is 100% waterproof. This is an important thing to keep in mind if you are repairing a ceramic item that needs to be frequently washed.
Epoxy glue is a very strong adhesive. The more hardener you use for the glue, the stronger it becomes. Its strength is so impressive, that once you used this glue on something, it is certainly there to stay.
For beginners, it can be a little bit complicated to get the ratio of resin and hardener right. However, you can buy compounds premeasured by a manufacturer. Another disadvantage of using epoxy glue is that it can be visible when applied to broken pieces. - Super glues are easier to use than epoxies. This type of glue can be used directly from the container and it dries quite quickly. Super glue is a handy, comfortable, and easy way to fix all types of broken ceramic items.
Super glue has its downsides too. It is not 100% waterproof, thus limiting the durability of the repaired item. Generally, super glues are not able to fill in gaps. Keep this in mind if you are planning to repair something and you are missing some pieces.
Does Super Glue Work On Ceramic?
Super glue is made from cyanide-derived cyanoacrylate. This component hardens instantly as it reacts with the moisture in the air. This type of glue works perfectly with ceramics.
Thanks to its chemical formula, super glues are able to establish a durable adhesive bond even between dissimilar or hard-to-bond materials, such as ceramics. The bond is mechanically strong and evenly distributes stress across the bonded surface for greater durability and longevity.
Super glues dry clear, they create a visually cleaner line that improves the looks of fixed products. In other words, it is less visible when applied to ceramic items than other types of glues used.
How long does Super Glue take to dry on ceramic?
As I mentioned above, super glues are extremely useful when you have to do a quick repair job on a ceramic item. Once you spread your glue evenly on the surface you will have to wait for a few seconds for the adhesive to harden and dry. On average, super glue takes up to 10 seconds to dry.
Super glue takes anywhere from one hour to 24 hours to create the strong bond you are looking for. Depending on the brand you are using, you will have to wait for a maximum of 24 hours to complete the process.
Is Super Glue Good For Porcelain?
The term porcelain refers to a variety of items that have been baked at high temperatures. The primary components of porcelain are different kinds of clays and silica. As you can see, both ceramics and porcelain are made of clay, and the majority of the glues that work on clay are also useful for porcelain.
While you can use many different types of adhesives, super glue is a handy solution for broken porcelain pieces. Super glues quickly form strong, durable bonds with porous surfaces like porcelain.
If you are interested in more topics about fixing ceramic, here is an article about the old Japanese art called Kintsugi.
