PVA glue, or polyvinyl acetate, is a widely available adhesive used for porous materials like wood, paper, and cloth. It is a rubbery synthetic polymer that belongs to the polyvinyl esters family with the general formula . PVA glue is a broad category or catchall term for adhesives, commonly referred to as white glue, school glue, wood glue, or carpenter’s glue. It is a colorless, odorless substance used in adhesives. PVA glue is a vinyl polymer and is a type of thermoplastic with a rubbery consistency. It is often white and dries transparent, but colored PVA glues are available. PVA glue is safe to handle with bare hands, doesnt give off smells or dangerous fumes, and is flexible, permanent, and only toxic if you eat it.
PVA glue is used for a variety of purposes, including as wood glue, paper adhesive during paper packaging conversion, gum base in chewing gum, adhesive for cigarette paper, coating layer on Gouda cheese, and as a binder in nonwovens in glass fibers, sanitary napkins, filter paper, and in textile finishing. To bond, PVA glues must penetrate the surface, so they are ideal for working with porous materials like paper, wood, and plywood. PVA glue dries quickly and forms a permanent bond. It is ineffective on surfaces that don’t have texture or are smooth, such as plastic, metal, or glass. PVA sets when there’s good air circulation and dries fastest at room temperature. The strongest seal is achieved when you clamp the pieces being glued.
