Super Glue vs Epoxy
There are many situations in a home when a plastic or any other item gets broken and we search for adhesives to join the broken pieces together. Two types of adhesives that are used for this repair purpose are super glue and epoxy glue. People do not understand the difference between super glue and epoxy and use them interchangeably but in reality, super glue and epoxy glue are different and have specific purposes. Let us understand the difference between super glue and epoxy glue by knowing the features of these two types of adhesives.
Epoxy glue comes in two different parts and the user has to mix both these parts known as resin and a hardener. Hardener sets the adhesive in a particular time before it must be applied. This time depends upon the chemical composition of the hardener. On the other hand, super glue can be used straight out of the tube and there is no mixing involved. However, super glue also sets in a quick time and so must be applied on broken parts quickly before it hardens.
Though both epoxy glue and super glue have very good adhesive properties, super glue has lower shear strength. Epoxy on the other hand has great strength and bonds two broken part perfectly as it has greater strength. Epoxy is used as a coating on metals and as an insulation of electronic components. Super glue finds applications where small parts need to be joined together and also in making furniture.
Once they harden, it is very difficult to remove or take off either epoxy or super glue. Super glue is easier to remove as it can be removed using acetone (nail polish) or GBL. Epoxy invariably leaves the surfaces damaged when one tries to take it off after hardening. Acetone and vinegar are helpful in removing epoxy.
Other notable differences are as follows.
While super glue is thin and needs tight fitting surface to work on, epoxy is very thick and it can be used to fill larger voids.
Super glues are colorless while epoxies are colored which helps in keeping track of the part where it got broken.
Super glue hardens more quickly than epoxy. While epoxy takes a few hours to set up, super glue hardens in a few minutes only.
If you have committed a mistake during application, super glue is more irritating as it dries up very quickly. On the pother hand you can take of epoxy and reapply easily.