J-B Weld

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A package of J-B Weld, showing "hardener" (red tube) and "steel" (black tube of resin): equal amounts are squeezed from both tubes and mixed.

The J-B Weld Company is an international company that produces epoxy products. The home office is based in Sulphur Springs, Texas.^[1] J-B Weld (stylized as J-B WELD) is the name of their flagship product: a specialized, high-temperature epoxy adhesive for use in bonding materials together. The company has run advertisements showing engine block repair with J-B Weld.^[2]

History[]

The company had its beginnings in 1969^[3] in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Sam Bonham, at the time running a machine shop, discovered a way to create what he called a "tougher than steel" epoxy.^[3] In 1968, Sam's future wife Mary persuaded him to sell his invention and he founded the J-B Weld Company. Sam died suddenly in 1989. He had commented before his death, "My life's dream is for J-B Weld to be all the way around the world, and for me to see an 18-wheeler load out of here with nothing but J-B Weld."^[3] Within a year of his death, Mary had opened a European hub in London, internationalizing the J-B Weld Company and the distribution of the product.^[3]

Initially, the company sold to automotive shops and jobbers in Texas.^[3] Now, the J-B Weld Company distributes its products through multiple retail channels - including automotive chains, home improvement centers, hardware stores, and farm stores^[1] - and does business in all states in the United States, as well as in 27 other countries. In 2008 the company was purchased by a group of private investors. Led by CEO Chip Hanson, they have expanded the product lines through innovation.^[3]

Products[]

The J-B Weld Company's original product line focused on a small number of products: J-B Weld (original 2-tube epoxy), J-B Kwik (4-hour epoxy), J-B Stik (epoxy putty), Waterweld (underwater adhesive/filler), and a few others.^[4]

Since 2008, the company has broadened the product line to add J-B SteelStik, KwikWood, PlasticWeld, MarineWeld, Perm-O-Seal, WoodWeld and ClearWeld.^[5][6]

J-B Weld epoxy[]

J-B Weld is a two-part epoxy adhesive (or filler) that can withstand high-temperature environments. J-B Weld can be used to bond surfaces made from metal, porcelain, ceramic, glass, marble, PVC, ABS, concrete, fiberglass, wood, fabric, or paper.^[7][8] Alcohol should be avoided when cleaning surfaces, as it can degrade the bond.^[9] J-B Weld is water-resistant, petroleum/chemical-resistant (when hardened), and acid-resistant. It also resists shock, vibration, and extreme temperature fluctuations.^[8] J-B Weld can withstand a constant temperature of 500 °F (260 °C), and the maximum temperature threshold is approximately 600 °F (316 °C) for 10 minutes.^[9] J-B Weld can also be used inside a microwave oven, exposed to microwave radiation instead of infrared radiation (heat).^[7]

The product is contained in 2 separate tubes: the "steel" (black tube of resin) and the "hardener" (red tube). Equal amounts are squeezed from both tubes and mixed.^[7] For the best bond, surfaces should be roughened (or scratched) with fine or coarse sandpaper.

When first mixed, J-B Weld is subject to sagging or running (slow dripping); even more so at warmer temperatures.^[2][7] After about 20 minutes the mixture begins to thicken into a putty that can be shaped with a putty knife or wooden spatula.^[7] The mixture will set enough for the glued parts to be handled within 4–6 hours,^[7] but requires up to 15 hours at cool temperatures to fully cure and harden. Temperatures above 50 °F (10 °C) shorten all these times.^[7] After the initial setting period of a few hours, heat (e.g. from a heat lamp or incandescent light bulb placed near the bond) will speed the curing time.^[2][7]

J-B Weld can be used as an adhesive, laminate, plug, filler, sealant, or electrical insulator.^[8] When fully cured, J-B Weld can be drilled, formed, ground, tapped, machined, sanded, and painted.^[8]

While J-B Weld Original epoxy dries to a dark grey color,^[10] J-B Weld's ClearWeld epoxy dries clear.^[11] Although its bond is not quite as strong as the Original's (3900 psi vs. 5020 psi),^[12] ClearWeld is often preferred when appearance is an important consideration.^[13]

J-B Kwik epoxy[]

J-B Kwik (stylized as J-B KWIK) is a two-part epoxy, intended as an adhesive or filler, that can withstand medium-temperature environments (up to 300 °F or 149 °C).^[14]

J-B Kwik cures much more quickly, but it is not as strong or as heat-resistant as the original J-B Weld.^[2][14] However, J-B Kwik has the same adhesion (1,800 psi or 12 MPa) as J-B Weld, and also does not shrink when hardening.^[14]

J-B Kwik can be used to bond surfaces made from any combination of iron, steel, copper, aluminum, brass, bronze, pewter,^[14] plus porcelain, wood, ceramic, glass, marble, PVC, ABS, concrete, fiberglass, fabric, or paper.^[8][14] J-B Kwik is waterproof, petroleum/chemical-resistant (when cured), acid-resistant; plus resists shock, vibration, and extreme temperature fluctuations.^[8]

See also[]

• Araldite

References[]

External links[]

• Official website