Technological University of the Philippines

College of Engineering
Ayala Boulevard, Ermita, Manila

Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Wood glue, has a significant role in the construction industry. It is a versatile adhesive

that can be used for numerous of project such as utilizing a wide variety of wood product. Glues

are formulated from chemicals which is synthesized by man. Many formulas are used to make

glue, most of it contains polymer. Polymer is a large molecule constructed of many small

repeated units. The polymers that are still in use today are petrochemical and natural gas. The

two types of adhesives used in wood products is thermoplastic and thermosetting.

Thermoplastics are long chain polymers that soften and flow on heating and then harden again

upon cooling. The common thermoplastic adhesive is polyvinyl acetate, hot-melts and contacts.

On the other hand, thermosetting are polymers that undergo irreversible chemical change when

cured, and on reheating, they do not soften and flow again. Phenol-formaldehyde, urea-

formaldehyde and epoxy are the common thermosetting adhesives. (Frihart and Hunt)

In today’s society, homeowners and engineers depend on glues in which no

infrastructures and houses are now built without the use of glues. The adhesiveness of glue

engages with the strength of a building in which the glue holds and keeps the piece of materials

in contact with each other. It can also be used in repairing broken furniture or materials because

of its strength to bond the broken pieces back together. Furthermore, wood glues can hold wood

as well as nails and screws do, but there are some applications that glues can do but nails are not

suitable. For instance, glues can bond the two pieces of wood together directly without the need

of making holes unlike nails and screws. Hence, choosing a good adhesive is an important task
 Technological University of the Philippines
College of Engineering
Ayala Boulevard, Ermita, Manila

of an engineer. The adhesive must be viscous, penetrate the wood, cure, maintain strength for

sufficient time under different loads and environmental conditions to ensure that the product will

provide high level of performance and excellent works in bonding that can last long.

This study aims to determine the adhesiveness of different kinds of glue in holding woods

and to identify the most adhesive glue. Thus, it needs to be solved for better usage and choice of

glue to buy in holding woods together. Because glues are to be considered in executing the

proper glue practices that is essential for achieving the optimum performance of woods.

At this time, many types of glue were made by many manufactures and claimed their

superiority. Those glues differ in different strengths and drying or curing times. In this study, the

researchers will be testing three (3) different types of glue to determine the bonding strength or

the adhesiveness of each glue. Therefore, in this study, it will try to determine the effectiveness

of three types of glue: Brand A (polyvinyl acetate); Brand B (; and, Brand C (Naphtha,

Hydrotreated heavy Hydrocarbon solvent). The setting of the study will be at LRD Construction

and Development Corp, at Bacoor, Cavite headed by Ms. Angie Sagad and the researchers will

be conducting a survey to 30 construction workers on the site.

Objectives of the study

The study aims to determine the bonding strength of different types of glue. Specially, it

intends to deal with the following objectives:

1. To determine the adhesiveness of

1.1 brand A

1.2 brand B

1.3 brand C
 Technological University of the Philippines
College of Engineering
Ayala Boulevard, Ermita, Manila

in holding 1kg, 2kg, 3 kg, 4kg load;

2. to determine if there is a significant difference among the adhesiveness of these types of

glue; and

3. validate the adhesiveness of the three (3) types of glue using a survey to thirty (30)

construction workers

Significance of the study

This research study focuses on the adhesiveness of the different types of wood glue in

bonding the wood together. It aims to determine if there is a significant difference among the

adhesiveness of different brand in holding; 1kg, 2kg, 3kg, 4kg of load.

Many manufacturers are now producing different types of wood glues. The results of this

study will educate the consumers on what type of glue should they buy as a substitute for nails in

order to avoid much risks of accidents.

This study will also help the future researchers in making their own researches related to

this.

Scope and limitations

This study will focus on the comparison of three (3) different types of glue that is used in

wood works. Moreover, it also aims to determine the bonding strengths of each glue given the

weight of loads it can carry before it breaks and to identify which brand of glue is best in holding

wood.

The study limits its coverage to what weight of loads can wood with different glues hold

before it breaks only.

 Technological University of the Philippines
College of Engineering
Ayala Boulevard, Ermita, Manila

The study includes an evaluation of the thirty (30) construction workers in Barangay

Tirona Highway Abay 1, Bacoor, Cavite. The respondents will be asked about the adhesiveness

of the three (3) different types of glue.

Research Paradigm

Independent variable Dependent variable

Brands of Glue: Different brands of glue will be

tested in terms of the
 Brand A (polyvinyl adhesiveness. The
acetate) adhesiveness of the glue will be
 Brand B determined by weights of sand
 Brand C (Naphtha, which will be weighted 1kg,
Hydrotreated heavy 2kg, 3kg, and 4kg.
Hydrocarbon solvent)

Explanation:

The glues, Elmer's White Glue, Max Contact Cement, Bostik No More Nails, are the

independent variables that will be tested to find out which glue is the most adhesive one through

the use of dependent variable. The dependent variable is sand that will be weighed in terms of

kg, starting from 1 kg and adding another 1 kg until the woods break apart.

This will benefit anyone, especially engineers. Through this study, the most adhesive

glue will be found out by the use of independent and dependent variables. This study will help

people in the future to choose the best glue they can use in their needs.