What is stronger, super glue, or hot glue? (ANSWERED!)

The choice of which glue you should use depends on what you are going to use for. It is important to see how well the glue bonds different things, For example, super glue is great for attaching rubber to metal. But hot glue is a better filler than superglue and can withstand more flexing.

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Let us see the characteristics of both superglue and hot glue, and you can decide which would be ideal for you.

What is super glue?

It is the go-to glue when someone has to work with stone, wood, glass-ceramic, plastic, paper, metal, and other similar common substances. Superglue is resistant to moisture and temperature. And this makes it a favorite glue of people who prefer to use superglue. 

Super glue is an adhesive made from a chemical called cyanoacrylate. Like other adhesives, this chemical is used to bind two materials together. However, super glue is the strongest of all adhesives and is made specifically to bind materials that don’t normally bond together. Super glue is able to form a bond on non-porous surfaces like metal or plastic. Super glue is a fast-acting adhesive that can be used to repair broken objects, seal porous materials, or hold jewelry together.

Like hot glue, super glue can also connect porous surfaces, such as paper and fabric, but it is not as strong on porous materials. 

Superglues are now available in different applicator styles which you can use to apply the glue in difficult-to-reach areas. You will find this glue in both gel and liquid forms. Liquid super glue dries faster than gel and is perfect for applying to fractures or cracks. On the other hand, the gel form is high in viscosity which means less dripping. Also, it creates a more flexible bond. Use gel superglue where the vertical application or a good deal of precision is needed.

Super glue can be quite difficult to use as you can’t get it off easily if you let some drip on the floor. 

PROs and CONs of Superglue

It is waterproof glue water makes the bond stronger. You might get superglue on your fingers and find them sticking your fingers together. You can remove traces of superglue using acetone nail polish remover. Or you can first scrape off the excess glue. Then soak your finger in warm water after mixing soap in it. Next, you should use a dull tool to unstick your fingers.

PROs of Superglue:

  • No electric source is needed. 
  • Easy-to-use and requires no mixing.
  • Cures quickly, enabling you to finish your work fast. 
  • No spillage or excess glue coming out of the bottle.
  • It will not burn your skin if you drop any on yourself.
  • No heat will melt the glue. 
  • Does not get messy.
  • Superglue is water-resistant.
  • It is very versatile and can be applied to most things.

CONs of Superglue:

  • Very runny texture.
  • Difficult to fix if you make a mistake while gluing.
  • Difficult to remove. Your finger can get stuck to the things you are working with.
  • Superglue is expensive.
  • Not too easy to work with.
  • Has an unpleasant smell.
  • It is difficult to fill gaps using superglue.
  • Not very durable. Superglue is brittle and can shatter.

What is Hot Glue?

Hot glue is extremely reactive to heat and is a thermoplastic substance. It also reacts to cold and temperature variations can make the glue move. This glue comes in stick form and is quite flexible plastic at room temperature. The glue sticks have to be inserted into glue guns that have a heating element in them. During application, the glue comes out of the gun in a hot and thick condition. The glue sets on cooling. 

Nothing beats hot glue for quick builds. But is not honestly advisable to use hot glue if you want a long-lasting bond. It is also unsuitable for porous surfaces like glass and metal. But it works excellently on porous substances like cardboard and wood. 

You can find hot glue in colors like red but primarily available in the translucent form. Furthermore, it is available in low-heat variants.

Hot glue is an adhesive that is used in a variety of industrial and crafts applications. Hot glue is made by heating a mixture of water, glue, and an activator like sodium silicate, which causes the ingredients to gel. The glue is then extruded through a narrow opening and quickly cooled. Hot glue is used to seal paper products and repair a variety of other materials. Hot glue sticks best to porous surfaces, like paper, cardboard, or fabric.

Hot glue is a low-cost adhesive that will stick to a variety of materials, including metal and plastic. Hot glue is often preferred over super glue for repair projects because it is easier to work with and less likely to cause problems. Hot glue can be helpful in situations when you need to reposition the object you’re working with. Hot glue dries relatively quickly and can be reheated for re-application.

PROs and CONs of Hot Glue

Hot glue is based on thermoplastic polymers and does not contain any solvent. It provides impressive flexibility and is durable. Hot glue typically comes in hot melts sticks and solid form. When heated to its softening point, it turns into a liquid state. You can use hot glue for either packaging or assembling things. You will need a glue gun as a tool for applying hot glue. 

PROs of Hot Glue:

  • It is fast.
  • Hot glue is not expensive.
  • Low-temp gun considerably reduces any chance of getting a burn.
  • Has no unpleasant smell.
  • Easier to fix any mistake or mess up.
  • Hot glue is not brittle.

CONs of Hot Glue:

  • You can burn yourself if you are not careful.
  • Working with hot glue can cause a mess.
  • Too much heat can melt the glue after application.
  • A hot-glue gun can squirt out more glue than required.
  • Hot guns need a source of electricity. 
  • It is more dangerous to work with.

Selecting the ideal glue for your need is more important than simply going for the strongest one. As we had mentioned, each glue works differently on different materials and surfaces. 

But if you have to compare, superglue is much stronger than hot glue.

What makes Super Glue stronger than hot glue?

Superglue creates an adhesive bond that is much stronger than hot glue. In addition, it bonds instantly. The bond it creates is unbreakable because of the properties of cyanoacrylate glue. It holds materials together even when the temperature is freezing, or it is very hot. When super glue comes in contact with water, the molecules of cyanoacrylate react with the hydroxyl ions to create an incredibly strong bond instantly. Superglue goes under the process of anionic polymerization, which is drying up the water from the surface to create a bond.

Both super glue and hot glue are strong adhesives. However, super glue is stronger and more reliable on non-porous surfaces like metal or plastic.  

Hot glue and super glue both dry quickly, but super glue bonds instantly while hot glue must dry before being used.

 Super glue dries clear, while hot glue dries white.

Some materials need a specific type of glue. For example, we have discussed PVC glue here.

PVA is also sometimes used to make glue.

Resources

https://www.tme.eu/Document/0ae5526372d29f77f29249550c1400b2/INB-PIS-RO.pdf