E6000 is a pretty popular craft glue notable for its strong adhesive property. It is sometimes compared to super glue and gorilla glue in terms of strength.
But just like any other adhesive, it doesn’t always stick to every material. If you’re considering using it on wood, you may be wondering if it will stick.
We know that E6000 works in metals, ceramics, glass, and fiberglass. Well, let’s find out if its adhesive property also extends to wood.
Table Of Contents
- 1 What is Woodworking?
- 2 What is E6000?
- 3 Does E6000 work for wood?
- 4 How Strong Is E6000?
- 5 When To Use E6000 for Wood?
- 6 What Is The Drying Time Of E6000 On Wood?
- 7 Does E6000 Stick To All Materials?
- 8 How to Effectively Use E6000 On Wood
- 9 Is E6000 Permanent?
- 10 Disadvantages of E6000
- 11 Comparison of E6000 to Other Adhesives
What is Woodworking?
Woodworking refers to the process of transforming wood into finished products. In most cases, the finished product is better and aesthetically pleasing.
Some woodworking processes include wood carving, wood joinery, wood turning, carpentry, etc.
Professional woodworking has been since time immemorial. And has been practiced by the ancient Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, and others.
What is E6000?
Also called Eclectic E6000, this is a very strong, self-leveling, perchloroethylene adhesive or glue. It is commonly used to bond leather, vinyl, plastic, metals, and masonry, along with other industrial materials.
The glue was first developed in 1980.
Besides its strong adhesive property, it’s also flexible, which is why it can be used on different materials.
Does E6000 work for wood?
Yes, E6000 works on wood. In fact, when used on wood, E6000 produces an incredibly strong bond that is resistant to moisture, chemicals, and UV light. This makes it a useful resource in the woodworking industry for joining wood.
How Strong Is E6000?
E6000 has a tensile strength of about 3200 PSI, making it an effective choice for joining items.
In addition, it has a peak hardness of about 80 when completely cured. The hardness can be compared to the headgear construction workers wear to prevent brain and head injuries while working on-site.
You should be cautious while using the glue to avoid contact with your skin, fingers, or fabrics. It dries very quickly and is very hard to remove.
When To Use E6000 for Wood?
The use of E6000 is best used in the following scenarios:
- For repair of voids and holes in woods
- To put together wood components without using clamps
- To repair small wooden components.
- To protect wood from water (possible due to its resistance to moisture)
- To protect wood against radiation and intense heat.
- For indoor (furniture) aesthetics (has a fine texture)
What Is The Drying Time Of E6000 On Wood?
Under normal conditions, E6000 takes about 10 minutes to dry to the touch and a day to completely dry.
In very dry conditions, the drying time may extend to about 12 hours, and in humid conditions, it can take about 72 hours to completely dry.
Always ensure you use the adhesive at optimum conditions because a longer drying time will cause the formation of weaker bonds.
Does E6000 Stick To All Materials?
No, it doesn’t. Even though E6000 sticks to a lot of items, there are a couple of materials you shouldn’t use it for.
For instance, it doesn’t work for some plastics, like polyethene, styrofoam, polystyrene, and polypropylene. These materials have a very slippery surface that prevents the glue from properly evaporating, thereby affecting the drying process.
In other words, when E6000 is used on these materials, it forms weak bonds.
Having said that, besides the materials above, the glue adheres to other types of plastics. In fact, it can be used as adhesive for some plastic body parts of cars.
How to Effectively Use E6000 On Wood
A lot of people assume that using adhesives just involves opening up the container and applying it directly to the surfaces to be joined, but it involves more.
Although this method might turn out okay for some materials, on others, it may turn out badly and lead to weak bonds and wastage, especially if the surface is dirty.
Always read the manufacturer’s instructions to know the proper way to apply the glue on different surfaces. The general procedure is as follows:
- Prepare the surface to be joined. This usually involves cleaning the surface to remove dirt, dust, and grease.
- Remove the cap, then puncture the covering foil, and apply the glue to the intended surface. During the process of application, ensure you apply a small amount of glue and evenly spread the glue on the intended surface. Using a thick layer leads to poor bonding, longer drying time and wastage. So use light layers.
- Recap the E6000 container to preserve the glue.
- Remove any excess layer of adhesive.
- Join with the other surface.
- Leave it to dry and cure.
As mentioned earlier, E6000 is best applied under optimum conditions (low humidity and moderate temperatures).
Is E6000 Permanent?
Due to its strength, E600 is often used to bond tough materials like metal and wood. But you may be wondering if the bond is permanent.
While E6000 forms a strong and long-lasting bond, it is NOT permanent.
But given the strength and how long it lasts, we can say it’s nearly permanent. The bond is difficult to break. In fact, to break it, you will need to expose it to acetone for a very long time.
Disadvantages of E6000
Besides not working for every material, other disadvantages of E6000 are the odor and size.
The glue has an unpleasant odor and is sold in very small quantities. A container of E6000 contains about 4.5 Fl oz.
However, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. As we mentioned earlier, the glue is water-resistant, fire-resistant, dries fast, long-lasting, transparent, and strong, and can be used for a wide range of materials.
Comparison of E6000 to Other Adhesives
E6000 vs Wood glue
Both E6000 and wood glue are very good choices for woodworking projects due to their high tensile strength and resistance to chemicals.
However, when it comes to joining wood, E6000 forms a stronger bond, resistant to moisture, high temperature, and UV light. On the other hand, wood glue is less expensive and has a better smell than E6000.
E6000 vs Gorilla glue
Gorilla glue has a tensile strength of 4250 PSI, while E6000 has a tensile strength of 3200 PSI.
So, gorilla glue is generally stronger than E6000 and has a better smell. However, it’s best suited for indoor use, while E6000 is better used outdoors because it’s more resistant to harsh environmental conditions.