Glue stick

Last updated
A selection of glue sticks manufactured by Pritt; "Pritt Stick (International version)", "Pritt Stick (UK version)" and Extra Strong "Power Pritt" Pritt Sticks.JPG
A selection of glue sticks manufactured by Pritt; "Pritt Stick (International version)", "Pritt Stick (UK version)" and Extra Strong "Power Pritt"

Glue sticks are solid and hard adhesives in twist or push-up tubes. Users can apply glue by holding the open tube to keep their fingers clean and rubbing the exposed stick against a surface.

Contents

Applications

Most glue sticks are designed to glue paper and card stock together, and are not as strong as some liquid-based variants. They can be used for craft and design, office use and at school. There are several varieties: permanent, washable, acid-free, non-toxic, solvent-free, and dyed (e.g. to see where the glue is being applied).

Brands

In 1969, the German company Henkel invented the glue stick after studying the "twist-up ease" and convenience of lipstick applicators. The product was released under the Pritt Stick brand. By 1971 the Pritt Stick was being sold in 38 countries, by 2001 in 121. [1] The first solvent-free, multipurpose glue stick that could be used for other materials (e.g. wood, glass and some plastics) was the "PowerPritt", which was put on the market in 2003. [2] There is also a "Pritt X", launched in 2010.

In the UK, the name "Pritt Stick" is often used as a generic term for any glue stick but it seems to be dying out more recently as a generic name.

Glue sticks are made under many brands and each may have different features to it. Various brands, such as Scotch, Elmer's, UHU, Kores, Giotto, UFO, Snopake, and Bostik U-Stick make glue sticks. Generic brands like M&G also manufacture glue sticks, utilising the twist action.

Sizes

Glue sticks can come in many sizes, the most common ones are 8g, 22g, 25g, 36g, and 43g.

Material

Known materials to be used for glue sticks are PVA or PVP.

Composition

Glue stick compositions are often proprietary and vary by manufacturer and type. The 3M product contains the following ingredients: [3]

Name % contentPurpose
Water40%Evaporates to allow the glue to dry.
Acrylic polymer 40% Polymerizes to solidify dried glue.
Sodium stearate 10%This soap helps emulsify the acrylic, and lubricates the glue to apply smoothly.
Polyethylene glycol 3%Keeps dried glue somewhat moist and flexible.
Polyoxyethylene monooctylpphenyl ether 2%Emulsifier.
N-Vinylpyrrolidone monomer2%Polymerizes as the glue dries.
2-amino isobutanol 2% pH buffer, to neutralize acid.
Sodium hydroxide 0.3%Alkali, to keep stick pH above 10.

The reportable composition of a Pritt Stick is as follows: [4]

Name EC number CAS number  % content Risk Statements
Caprolactam 203-313-2 105-60-2 1 - 5%Xn;R20/22 Xi;R36/37/38
Hydrogen peroxide solution ...%231-765-0 7722-84-1 < 1%O;R8 C;R34
Sodium hydroxide 215-185-5 1310-73-2 < 1%C;R35

Other brands use, e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as the glue substance.[ citation needed ]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adhesive</span> Non-metallic material used to bond various materials together

Adhesive, also known as glue, cement, mucilage, or paste, is any non-metallic substance applied to one or both surfaces of two separate items that binds them together and resists their separation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blu Tack</span> Pressure-sensitive adhesive putty

Blu Tack is a reusable putty-like pressure-sensitive adhesive produced by Bostik, commonly used to attach lightweight objects to walls, doors or other dry surfaces. Traditionally blue, it is also available in other colours. Generic versions of the product are also available from other manufacturers. The spelling now used is without a hyphen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inhalant</span> Chemical, often household, breathed in to cause intoxication

Inhalants are a broad range of household and industrial chemicals whose volatile vapors or pressurized gases can be concentrated and breathed in via the nose or mouth to produce intoxication, in a manner not intended by the manufacturer. They are inhaled at room temperature through volatilization or from a pressurized container, and do not include drugs that are sniffed after burning or heating. For example, amyl nitrite (poppers), gasoline, nitrous oxide and toluene – a solvent widely used in contact cement, permanent markers, and certain types of glue – are considered inhalants, but smoking tobacco, cannabis, and crack cocaine are not, even though these drugs are inhaled as smoke or vapor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cyanoacrylate</span> Type of fast-acting adhesive

Cyanoacrylates are a family of strong fast-acting adhesives with industrial, medical, and household uses. They are derived from ethyl cyanoacrylate and related esters. The cyanoacrylate group in the monomer rapidly polymerizes in the presence of water to form long, strong chains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polyvinylpyrrolidone</span> Water-soluble polymer

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), also commonly called polyvidone or povidone, is a water-soluble polymer compound made from the monomer N-vinylpyrrolidone. PVP is available in a range of molecular weights and related viscosities, and can be selected according to the desired application properties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plywood</span> Manufactured wood panel made from thin sheets of wood veneer

Plywood is a composite material manufactured from thin layers, or "plies", of wood veneer that are glued together with adjacent layers, having both glued with each other at right angle. It is an engineered wood from the family of manufactured boards, which include plywood, medium-density fibreboard (MDF), oriented strand board (OSB), and particle board.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Incense</span> Material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt

Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. The term is used for either the material or the aroma. Incense is used for aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, meditation, and ceremony. It may also be used as a simple deodorant or insect repellent.

Flooring is the general term for a permanent covering of a floor, or for the work of installing such a floor covering. Floor covering is a term to generically describe any finish material applied over a floor structure to provide a walking surface. Both terms are used interchangeably but floor covering refers more to loose-laid materials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marker pen</span> Type of writing tool

A marker pen, fine liner, marking pen, felt-tip pen, felt pen, flowmarker, sign pen, vivid, flomaster, texta, sketch pen, koki or simply marker is a pen which has its own ink source and a tip made of porous, pressed fibers such as felt. A marker pen consists of a container and a core of an absorbent material that holds the ink. The upper part of the marker contains the nib that was made in earlier times of a hard felt material, and a cap to prevent the marker from drying out.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Post-it note</span> Small piece of paper with a re-adherable strip of glue on its back

A Post-it note is a small piece of paper with a re-adherable strip of glue on its back, made for temporarily attaching notes to documents and other surfaces. A low-tack pressure-sensitive adhesive allows the notes to be easily attached, removed and even re-posted elsewhere without leaving residue. The Post-it's signature adhesive was discovered accidentally by a scientist at 3M. Originally small yellow squares, Post-it Notes and related products are available in various colors, shapes, sizes and adhesive strengths. As of 2024, there are at least 28 documented colors of Post-it notes. 3M's Post-it has won several awards for its design and innovation.

Mace is the brand name of an early type of aerosol self-defense spray invented by Alan Lee Litman in the 1960s. The first commercial product of its type, Litman's design packaged phenacyl chloride (CN) tear gas dissolved in hydrocarbon solvents into a small aerosol spray can, usable in many environments and strong enough to act as a deterrent and incapacitant when sprayed in the face.

ChapStick is a brand name of lip balm owned by Suave Brands Company, a subsidiary of private equity firm Yellow Wood Partners, and is used in many countries worldwide. It is intended to help treat and prevent chapped lips, hence the name. Many varieties also include sunscreen in order to prevent sunburn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scotch Tape</span> American brand of pressure sensitive tapes

Scotch Tape is a brand name used for pressure-sensitive tapes developed by 3M. It was first introduced by Richard Drew, who created the initial masking tape under the Scotch brand. The invention of Scotch-brand cellulose tape expanded its applications, making it suitable for sealing packages and conducting item repairs. Over time, Scotch Tape has been utilized in various industries and households for its diverse adhesive solutions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot-melt adhesive</span> Glue applied by heating

Hot-melt adhesive (HMA), also known as hot glue, is a form of thermoplastic adhesive that is commonly sold as solid cylindrical sticks of various diameters designed to be applied using a hot glue gun. The gun uses a continuous-duty heating element to melt the plastic glue, which the user pushes through the gun either with a mechanical trigger mechanism on the gun, or with direct finger pressure. The glue squeezed out of the heated nozzle is initially hot enough to burn and even blister skin. The glue is sticky when hot, and solidifies in a few seconds to one minute. Hot-melt adhesives can also be applied by dipping or spraying, and are popular with hobbyists and crafters both for affixing and as an inexpensive alternative to resin casting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pressure-sensitive adhesive</span> Type of non reactive adhesive

Pressure-sensitive adhesive is a type of nonreactive adhesive which forms a bond when pressure is applied to bond the adhesive with a surface. No solvent, water, or heat is needed to activate the adhesive. It is used in pressure-sensitive tapes, labels, glue dots, stickers, sticky note pads, automobile trim, and a wide variety of other products.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elmer's Products</span> American craft manufacturer

Elmer's Products, Inc. or simply Elmer's, is an American-based company that has a line of adhesive, craft, home repair, and office supply products. It is best known as the manufacturer of Elmer's Glue-All, a popular PVA-based synthetic glue, in addition to other brands including Krazy Glue, ProBond and CraftBond adhesives, and X-Acto cutting tools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trapping</span> Use of a device to remotely catch an animal

Animal trapping, or simply trapping or ginning, is the use of a device to remotely catch an animal. Animals may be trapped for a variety of purposes, including food, the fur trade, hunting, pest control, and wildlife management.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pritt</span> German adhesive manufacturing company

Pritt is a brand of adhesives, tapes, correction, and fixing products designed and marketed by Henkel. Pritt invented the world's first glue stick, also known as the Pritt Stick, which is a solid adhesive in a twistable casing.

Hairstyle products are used to change the texture and/or shape of hair.

References

  1. "Pritt History". Archived from the original on 2013-03-18. Retrieved 2013-05-06.
  2. "Pegamento Pritt para manualidades". Archived from the original on 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  3. MSDS: 3M Brand Re-stickable Glue Stick
  4. "Pritt Stick Safety Data Sheet" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-08-04.