What Kind of Glue Is Used in Ceramics?

Polyvinyl Acetate

• Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) is a white ceramic glue that is also used in wood glue. In small quantities, PVA can be added as a thin coat to paper or fabric to make those items have a shiny surface. PVA is also the latex ingredient in acrylic latex paint. Polyvinyl acetate is often used to bond ceramic and organic items recovered in archaeological excavations. PVA stands up well to light and does not yellow over time. It is especially helpful for restoring broken pieces of ceramic pottery. “Gorilla Glue,” “Elmer’s Ceramic Glue” and “WW Henry Multi-Purpose Ceramic Tile Adhesive” are all brand name types of white ceramic PVA glue.
  
  

Clear Epoxy

• Two-part clear epoxy glue is a second type of ceramic glue. Clear epoxy is made from polyurethane glue and works well as an adhesive for broken ceramic pieces. If you have a ceramic tile or plate that breaks into two pieces or which has one small break line, a clear, two-part epoxy will help the pieces adhere together fast. “Devcon,” “Franklin Titebond” and “Henco” are all brands of two-part clear ceramic epoxy.
  
  

Which Type is Best

• Both fast and slow-drying types of polyvinyl acetate are available for ceramic adhesion. Look for a non-toxic, water-miscible, slow-drying PVA glue to fix broken ceramic pots, cups and other pieces of pottery. Ethanol is the active ingredient in a slow-drying PVA formula, while acetone is the active ingredient in a fast-drying PVA formula. Select a ceramic glue with ethanol for an excellent, slow-drying adhesive. Fast-drying white ceramic glue dries too fast for you to place broken pieces back together exactly where they should go. Slow-drying white ceramic glue gives you the time you need to repair pots, cups, porcelain figurines and even glass before the glue sets and makes moving pieces impossible.
  
  Both fast- and slow-setting, two-part clear epoxy glues are available for repairing ceramics. Epoxy is a bit stronger than PVA and often comes in fast-drying formulas. Its stronger nature tends to give it a higher retail price than white ceramic PVA glue. Choose a fast-setting clear epoxy for heavy, large ceramic tiles or plates that have short, clean breaks in them.
  
  

Applying Ceramic Glue

• Clean the surface of both ceramic pieces you are gluing back together. Mix a few teaspoons of mild dish liquid with a few cups of warm water. Wash away dirt and debris with an old toothbrush. Rinse the pieces under running cool water and let them dry overnight. Use a disposable paintbrush to apply white ceramic glue to the surface of one of the broken pieces. Brush on just enough glue to cover the edges of the broken piece. Press the two pieces together and hold them there lightly for five minutes until the glue begins to set. Place the drying piece into a box filled with dry rice or dry beans. Wait one hour and wipe away any excess glue with cotton swabs dipped in hot water. Let the item sit in the box for 24 hours.