Silicate adhesive liquid glass: what glues, how to apply and where to apply

When they say "silicate glue", most often they mean exactly Liquid glass — aqueous solution of sodium silicate. It's the same substance, just in different concentrations and under different names. Familiar from childhood, the transparent-yellowish "stationery glue" is a diluted sodium liquid glass. And the concentrate of the same sodium silicate in construction works as waterproofing, an additive in concrete, an antiseptic and fire protection. ETIZ plant produces exactly sodium liquid glass ETIZ — a universal concentrate, from which, with the right dilution, glue, soil, and coating are obtained.

What is silicate adhesive on liquid glass

Silicate adhesive is a solution of sodium silicate (Na₂O·nSiO₂) in water. The adhesive effect does not occur due to the evaporation of the solvent, as in PVA, but due to the fact that the liquid glass penetrates into the pores of the material, then loses water and hardens, forming a strong mineral (essentially glass-like) film. This film "cross-links" the surfaces to each other and simultaneously strengthens the porous material itself.

That is why silicate adhesive works best on absorbent, porous and mineral bases: it needs to penetrate something and cling to something. On smooth non-porous materials, weak adhesion is the key to understanding that liquid glass glues well and what does not.

Properties of silicate adhesive

Sodium liquid glass as an adhesive and binder gives a whole set of useful qualities:

Durable mineral compound porous and mineral materials after drying.
Non-flammable The solidified silicate does not burn — therefore, the silicate glue goes into refractory putties for stoves and fireplaces.
Moisture and water resistance seam after full curing (as opposed to the normal clerical use of paper).
Antiseptic effect — suppresses mold and fungus, which is important when working with wood and mineral bases.
Chemical resistance to a number of acids and aggressive media, inaccessible to organic adhesives.
Cheap and environmentally friendly — mineral composition from natural raw materials (quartz sand and soda).

Back: blank silicate film Is it fragile. It holds well but does not tolerate bending, vibration and impact well. Therefore, silicate adhesive is the choice for rigid, fixed joints rather than elastic seams.

What glues liquid glass and what does not

Practical guideline: the more porous and mineral material, the better the adhesion. Smooth plastic and metal silicate adhesive will not hold securely.

Material	Does the liquid glass stick	Comment
Paper, cardboard.	Yes, excellent.	Classic "stationery" use; the seam after drying is rigid
Glass, porcelain, ceramics	Yes okay!	Strong joint on degreased surfaces; brittle to bend
Wood, MDF, plywood	Yes	Porous structure absorbs well; plus antiseptic effect
Concrete, stone, brick, plaster	Yes	Mineral to mineral — a related bond that binds in putties
Fabric, felt (rigid products)	Partial	Sizing/impregnation is possible, the product becomes rigid
Plastic, polyethylene, PVC	None	Smooth non-porous surface — practically no adhesion
Metal (smooth)	Unreliable	As a power adhesive, it is not suitable; it is used only as a component of putties
Rubber, silicone	None	Elastic non-porous surface incompatible with brittle film

How to apply silicate adhesive

You need to work with liquid glass quickly — composition quickly grasps, a particularly thin layer on the absorbent base. Hence the main rule: knead and apply in small portions, work one section at a time.

Prepare the surfaces. Clean from dust and grease, degrease glass/porcelain. The base must be dry (except when the instructions require a slight moisturizing of the mineral base).
Apply a thin uniform layer on one or both surfaces with a brush, spatula or roller. The thick layer dries unevenly and cracks.
Connect and press firmly parts. Remove excess glue immediately with a damp cloth — it is difficult to remove them after curing.
Give the shutter speed. Primary setting — minutes, full curing and moisture resistance — up to a day and longer, depending on the layer and material.

Precautions: Liquid glass is alkaline, so wear gloves, take care of your eyes, rinse off with water in case of contact with skin. Rinse the tool with water immediately — the dried silicate is difficult to remove.

How to dilute silicate adhesive for the task

Ethyz supplies the concentrate, and the working consistency is selected for the task. The values below are indicative, always check according to the instructions and for a specific material.

Paper/cardboard sizing (stationery use): the concentrate is diluted with water to obtain a liquid flowing consistency — tentatively, achieving a convenient application by brush.
Gluing of glass/porcelain/mineral parts: a thicker, slightly diluted composition is used — approximately, so that the adhesive does not drain from the seam.
Binder in putties and soils: the concentrate is mixed with the filler (chalk, sand, cement) to a paste-like mass — approximately according to the putty recipe.
Primer-impregnation of concrete: for dedusting and hardening, the concentrate is diluted with water approximately 1:2–1:3 (approximately, check according to the instructions and the absorbency of the base).

The characteristics of the product itself — a silicate modulus of the order of 2.6-3.4 and a density of about 1.4 g/cm³ — are typical for sodium liquid glass; the exact values are indicated in the ETHYZ passport. Sodium liquid glass is standardized according to GOST 13078. See also section liquid glass in ETHYZ catalogue.

Where else is silicate adhesive used

In addition to direct bonding, the binding properties of liquid glass are used more widely:

Refractory putties for masonry of furnaces, fireplaces and sealing cracks in furnaces.
Priming and dedusting of concrete floors before laying coatings.
Impregnation and antisepsis of wood.
Additive-binder in cement and concrete mortars for water resistance.
Membrane waterproofing of foundations, basements, wells and pools.

Packing of sodium liquid glass ETIZ — cans of 5 l (7 kg) and 10 l (14 kg): convenient for single gluing and for volumetric work. You can choose the right volume and clarify the characteristics on the page catalogue of liquid glass ETHYZ.

Overview of main features.

Silicate adhesive on liquid glass is an inexpensive and versatile mineral binder. It perfectly glues paper, cardboard, glass, porcelain, wood and mineral materials, but does not hold plastic, metal and rubber. You need to work quickly and in a thin layer, remember the fragility of the film and the alkalinity of the composition. For a house, repair and construction, one ETIZ concentrate covers both glue, soil, and waterproofing at once — it all depends on breeding for a specific task.

FAQs

What glues the silicate adhesive on the liquid glass?

Silicate adhesive combines porous and mineral materials well: paper, cardboard, glass, porcelain, ceramics, wood, as well as concrete, stone and brick. The adhesive effect is due to the solidification of the silicate film, which penetrates into the pores and cross-links the surfaces. The more absorbent and mineral base, the stronger the seam. It is a reliable and inexpensive option for connecting rigid fixed parts.

Will the liquid glass adhere to plastic or metal?

Reliable — no. Smooth plastic, polyethylene, PVC and rubber are non-porous, the silicate film has nothing to cling to, so the adhesion is practically absent. Smooth metal liquid glass also as a power glue will not hold — the metal is used only as a component of refractory castings. For plastic and metal, choose specialized polymer or epoxy adhesives, and leave silicate for paper, glass, wood and mineral bases.

How to dilute the liquid glass to get glue?

ETIZ supplies sodium silicate concentrate, and the consistency is selected for the task. To glue the paper, the concentrate is diluted with water to a fluid state, a thicker slightly diluted composition is used for gluing glass and porcelain, and about 1:2–1:3 is diluted for concrete priming. All proportions are indicative — check according to the instructions and for a specific material. The modulus of about 2.6-3.4 and the density of about 1.4 g/cm³ are typical for sodium glass; the exact values are in the passport.

Why does silicate adhesive dry and crack quickly?

The liquid glass hardens not by evaporation, but by loss of water and formation of a mineral film, so it sets quickly, especially with a thin layer on the absorbent base. To avoid cracks, apply a thin uniform layer, do not put the compound thickly and work in small areas. Remember: clean silicate film is brittle and does not tolerate bending, vibration and shock, so it is suitable for rigid fixed joints, not elastic seams.

Is the silicate adhesive seam water resistant?

After complete curing, the silicate film becomes moisture- and water-resistant, as well as non-combustible and resistant to a number of chemical media. That is why sodium liquid glass is used in refractory putties, waterproofing and waterproof solutions. However, to gain water resistance, the seam needs exposure — from several hours to a day or longer, depending on the thickness of the layer and material. A fresh, not fully cured seam is still sensitive to water.

How does sodium liquid glass of ETHYZ differ from potassium glass?

ETIZ produces sodium liquid glass — a universal composition for construction, waterproofing, admixtures in concrete and bonding. Potassium liquid glass is another product that is more often used in paints and flame retardants, and in this line, ETIZ does not position it. For household and construction tasks of gluing, priming and waterproofing, sodium silicate in cans of 5 l (7 kg) and 10 l (14 kg) is suitable.