Wednesday, 15 July 2026

Glue Amounts


Is any glue required to stabilise glass pieces in kilnforming? If so, the amount, placing and type are important. The more glue you use, the more likely glass pieces are to move in the firing.

Details here.

Glue, whether dry or wet will boil with rapid rates. Most glues have boiling points between112°C and 270°C (230°F and 520°F), although super glue has a boiling point of only about 55°C (130°F).

This fact requires slow ramp rates to above 270°C/ 520°F to promote evaporation and so reduce the risk of boiling, which will move the lighter glass pieces around.

The placement of glue is important. It has to burn out, so should be applied only at the edge of the pieces. Glue placed under the centre of of glass pieces often create large bubbles or leave unsightly black areas.

In addition to these precautions, the minimum amount of glue should be used. If the glue is water based, it can be diluted with water, such as my practice of diluting one part PVA to 5 parts water. Solvent based glues require fine tips or needles to apply the glue to the edge of the glass.

There are other ways of stabilising stringers and small pieces with frits or powders that avoid using glue altogether.


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