Glossary of Building and Construction Materials:
Adhesives and Binders

acrylic resin: transparent, thermoplastic, polymeric resin, used in making molded plastic, paints, and textile fibers

adhesive: any substance that binds or adheres

adhesive tape: long, narrow, wound strip of tape with sticky substance on one side

astringent: substance that causes binding by contraction

binder: substance that holds things together birdlime extremely sticky substance made from holly bark

caulking: whitish tar or oakum putty used to stop crack or fill joint

cement: soft substance that hinds objects together when it hardens between them

compo: composite mortar or plaster

court plaster: adhesive plaster composed of silk coated with isinglass and glycerin

creosote: brownish, oily liquid distilled from coal tar, used as wood preservative

daubing: soft, sticky plaster or grease smeared on surface

double-stick tape: tape with adhesive substance on both sides

duct tape: wide, silver-gray, strong adhesive tape, used for Sheetrock work, household repairs, etc.

electrical tape: strong, highly elastic, black adhesive tape

epoxy: thermosetting, quick-drying chemical resin blended with other chemicals to form strong. hard, adhesive bond

gaffer's tape: duct tape used especially by TV and movie electricians

gesso: white plaster of Paris or chalk mixed with glue, used as base for paint or gilding

glue: sticky, viscous liquid made by boiling animal skins, bones, and boots to a jelly

glycerin syrupy alcohol used as a solvent or plasticizer

grout: thin mortar or plaster, used to till joints in masonry, fries, or brick

gum: adhesive substance made from sticky colloidal carbohydrate found in certain trees and plants

gutta-percha: rubberlike gum latex, used for insulation and binding

gypsum: naturally occurring hydrated sulfate of calcium used in making plaster of Paris for binding plasterboard

isinglass: semitransparent whitish gelatin derived front air bladders of fish. used as clarifier or glue

joint compound: spackling compound lime white calcium oxide obtained by heating limestone or shells, used in mortar and cement

linseed oil: yellowish oil of flaxseed with unique drying qualities. Used in paints, adhesives, and linoleum

lute: clayey cement used as sealing agent

masking tape: thin, weak usually beige adhesive tape

mastic: yellowish tree resin used in adhesives and varnish

mortar: mixture of lime or cement with sand and water, used to bind bricks or stones in building or as Plaster

mucilage: thick, sticky plant substance: watery gum or glue solution

mud: Slang. joint or spackling compound

oakum: loose, stringy hemp fiber treated with tar, used for caulking

parget: plaster or mortar, used to coat masonry

paste: mixture of flour or starch with water and alum or resin, used as adhesive on light materials

pitch: dark, sticky substance distilled front coal, wood tar, or petroleum, used for waterproofing roofing, or paving

plaster of Paris: calcined gypsum in heavy, white powder form, mixed with water to form quick-setting paste

pointing: mortar used for finishing brickwork

Portland cement: cement that hardens underwater, made by burning mixture of lime and clay, used to bind aggregate

putty mixture of powdered chalk and linseed oil, used to secure glass panes and fill cracks: cement composed of quicklime, water, and plaster of Paris or sand. used as plastering coat

resin: any of various viscous. usually clear or translucent, substances exuded front trees or plants, used in varnish, lacquer, and in making synthetic plastics

sealant: wax, plastic, or silicone substance used for making a joint airtight or watertight

sizing: thin, pasty substance used as glaze or tiller on porous paper, plaster, or cloth prior to finishing

solder: metal alloy melted and used to join or patch metal parts when it hardens

Spackle Trademark. spackling compound

spackling compound: gypsum plaster mixed with glue, silica flour, and water, used as putty or tiller joint compound

stucco: plaster applied as finish to interior walls and exterior surfaces

tape: any of various adhesive tapes

tar thick, sticky, dark brown to black, viscous, liquid hydrocarbon obtained from distillation of wood, coal, or peat, used especially in roofing and paving

tarmac bituminous binder used for surfacing roadways

travertine: plaster made with light-colored Italian limestone

viscin: clear, viscous substance obtained from mistletoe or holly sap

viscum: birdlime made from mistletoe berries

wax: plastic, dull yellow substance, insoluble in water, used as sealant or to protect surfaces

weather stripping: thin length of metal fabric wood, or composite, used to cover joint and keep out wind or water

Also see:

• Cuts, Sizes, Treatments, and Forms of Wood
  
  
• Softwoods
  
  
• Hardwoods
  
  
• Paneling and Composite Boards
  
  
• Stones, Bricks, Ties, Glass, and Metals
  
  
• Plastics, Paper, and Textiles
  
  
• Surfaces and Finishing Materials

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