Here at TensorGrip Joinery, we’re trusted advisors on all-things-adhesives. We’re passionate about sharing the stuff we know with our followers - including those little-known facts that make our industry so interesting. With this in mind, we’re proud to kick off the first instalment of TensorGrip’s Sticky Facts, sharing four things we bet you didn’t know about glue. Check it out!
Bonding doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, the history of adhesives is one which has brought the world together over the centuries. Let’s take a look at some of the top facts behind the stuff that bonds…
1. Humans Have Been Using Adhesives for Over 200,000 Years
Our adhesives have been designed by some of the finest talents in chemical engineering, using some of the most cutting edge technologies and facilities the industry has ever seen. However, adhesives haven’t always been that way. Indeed, humans have been using sticky stuff for a whopping 200,000 years - all without chemists, testing or compliance legislation - what?!
It’s true: adhesives have been around for millenia. Whilst it is known that humans used birch-bark-tar to bind stones together over 200,000 years ago in Italy, the first recorded usage of adhesive is understood to be seen in hieroglyphs in Egypt which showed that the casket of Pharaoh Tutankhamun was glued together using compounds made from animals.
In modern times, adhesives have picked up their game. Far from the formulas of ancient Egypt, TensorGrip uses a combination of engineered chemicals to maximise green strength. Interesting stuff, eh?
2. The First Commercial Glue Plant was Established over 300 Years Ago
With decades of combined experience, TensorGrip is a mainstay and household name in the adhesives market. However, we’re far from the first, or the oldest. In fact, the first commercial glue factory opened in Holland in 1690, using glue made from animal hides primarily for woodworking purposes. The factory was launched to supply craftsmen who used wood to create furniture and musical instruments.
The adhesives space saw little development until 1910 which saw the arrival of flues created using synthetic substances created by Karlsons Klister. This saw adhesives moving into new and exciting spaces, laying down the groundwork for the industry it is today.
Nowadays, the adhesive sector is a giant in heavy industry, boasting a massive turnover of almost $50 billion in 2020, with market-leader Quin Global holding production facilities across the UK, USA and Australia.
3. It Doesn’t Get Any Stickier Than a Gecko's Feet
We’ve all seen insects, lizards and other animals scurrying up the side of a wall, with little reptiles like geckos staying in position for hours at a time. But how do these amazing creatures do it?
It’s actually quite simple. Geckos stick to the surfaces they walk on thanks to the tiny adhesive hairs that line the pads of their feet. Ultra-adhesive and much stronger than the strongest synthetic glues on the market, each square millimeter holds 14,000 or more of these hairs, allowing them to grip onto walls effortlessly.
It’s no surprise that adhesive manufacturers around the world have tried to emulate the sticky abilities of the gecko. Our friends at Gekko Flooring Adhesives, for example, are leading the way in imitating this adhesive strength with a range of super-strong, easy-to-apply spray flooring adhesives.
4. The Days of Traditional Bonding Are Gone
It’s true: the old days of adhesives are dying out. Whilst the ancient civilizations of Egypt pioneered adhesives all those years ago, those adhesives bear little resemblance to those that we use today. Indeed, where adhesives were once reserved for the caskets of pharaohs, they are now used across a range of industries worldwide, from Joinery and Upholstery to Insulation and even the Composites industry.
The old methods of bonding are similarly dying out. Forget roller brushes and buckets - spray technology is set to transform the adhesive industry as we know it. But what difference does it really make?
Quite a lot, it turns out. We live in busy times, and the demand for speedy production has never been more pressing. Fortunately, spray adhesives offer just that, with a speed of application and drying time that is unrivalled compared to traditional means. The benefits of spray adhesives don’t end there - TensorGrip’s pioneering canister system promises increased coverage and 100% product usage. The future is now!
TensorGrip: Your Adhesive Questions Answered
Today’s industry needs advice, guidance and expertise to trust in. Here at TensorGrip, we’re giving our Joinery customers these benefits and more. To get in touch with your trusted advisors on adhesives, get in touch with us today.
