There’s a wide range of leather adhesives on the market. Each has its own specific characteristics, so it’s important to find out about the particularities of each adhesive to make sure it’s right for your leather project. Neoprene adhesive offers a number of advantages that make it the glue of choice for leatherwork and other projects where leather needs to be joined to various types of support.
Neoprene glue is a solvent-based adhesive. Like all adhesives in its category, it consists of a tacky substance – in this case polychloroprene combined with synthetic resins – dissolved in a volatile organic solvent. Developed at the beginning of the 20th century by American chemist Wallace Hume Carothers, neoprene glue, which comes in liquid or gel form, physically sets when solvents evaporate into the air.
Neoprene adhesive is an industrial adhesive widely used for bonding leather. In fact, it has the advantage of being elastic once dry, thus preserving the flexibility of materials. That’s why neoprene adhesive is ideal for joining leather with other flexible materials such as fabrics or cork.
But that’s not all. This is the benchmark for bonding different types of substrate. In fact, it is also widely used to bond leather with hard materials such as wood, metal or plastic. While cyanoacrylate adhesive – also known as superglue or instant adhesive – can be recommended for gluing leather to hard surfaces, neoprene adhesive is more resistant to vibration and temperature variations. It is therefore more commonly used, especially for joining large surfaces together, as it has a high adhesion.
Neoprene adhesive can be marketed in gel form. The texture of the gel glue means it can be applied to vertical surfaces or under ceilings with a spatula, avoiding the risk of glue drips. Liquid neoprene adhesive, on the other hand, is more suitable for use on horizontal surfaces. For greater convenience in professional use, it is mainly marketed in cartridge format with spray gun, for use in spraying.
Neoprene adhesive is a two-stage contact adhesive. This means that after applying a thin layer of adhesive to the surfaces with a spatula, you need to wait between 10 and 20 minutes for the solvents to evaporate before pressing them together. Where substrates are porous, it may be necessary to double-glue the surfaces. In other words, apply a first coat to the base before applying a second coat to bond the materials together.
Neoprene adhesive is a synthetic adhesive containing volatile and flammable chemicals. It is therefore necessary to take precautions by using PPE when handling it. Use protective gloves to avoid adhesive coming into contact with the skin, and wear a mask to prevent inhalation of toxic substances. For more information about A’Lineo leather glues, please contact us.
