Natural stone and adhesive? Yes, but which adhesive? What kind of adhesive has which characteristics? Which characteristics of the adhesive are relevant for my gluing?

These questions and many other different questions are often asked, which have to do with natural stone. Unfortunately it is not possible to supply a simple answer, due to the many varied natural stones and fixing methods. Each adhesion problem is unique and will need professional consultation with the adhesive manufacturers. I would like to give you within this framework an unfortunately brief outline of the main adhesives presently on the market for the natural stone industry. Since there are countless adhesives on the market I want to put them in order.

The following widespread adhesive types are to be found:

1-component adhesives

Advantages:

ready for use from tube
no mixing
clean handling
Disadvantages:

usually very slow curing
colour mixing is not possible
can not be polished
low chemical resistance
2-component adhesives

Advantages:

very high adhesion strength and constructional fixings are possible
fast curing
can be polished
Colour mixing possible
high chemical resistance
Disadvantages:

mixing of the components nessesary
Skincontact with the components when mixing is possible (exception Cartrige-System!)
usually higher health risk
One can also divide the adhesives into the following raw material classes:

* Epoxy resin based
* Polyester resin based
* Polyurethane resin based
* Cyanacrylate resin based