Grade 10 woodwork – Adhesives Quiz
1. Which adhesive is commonly called 'white glue' and is water-based, easy to clean, and suitable for general wood joinery and school projects?
PVA, often called white glue or wood glue, is water-based, easy to clean with water before it dries, and widely used for general woodwork and school projects.
2. Which adhesive forms a very strong, heat- and chemical-resistant bond and is often used for structural woodwork and repairs?
Epoxy resin cures to a very strong, durable bond that resists heat and many chemicals, making it suitable for structural repairs and demanding applications.
3. Which glue expands as it cures and is useful for filling gaps in timber joints but requires careful clamping because of foaming?
PU glue reacts with moisture and expands (foams) as it cures, which helps fill gaps but means clamps and excess squeeze-out must be managed.
4. Which adhesive is often used to bond veneers to core panels because it provides a long open time and strong, lasting bond?
Resorcinol-formaldehyde adhesives have long open times, excellent water resistance, and were traditionally used for veneer and exterior plywood bonding.
5. Which adhesive bonds instantly and is useful for small repairs but is not suitable for large glued surfaces or joints that need clamping?
Cyanoacrylate cures very fast and is ideal for small quick repairs and non-porous surfaces, but it is impractical for large glued areas and does not require clamping.
6. What is the main safety advice when using solvent-based contact adhesives in a small workshop at home?
Solvent-based contact adhesives release strong fumes that can be harmful; good ventilation and avoiding inhalation are essential safety measures.
7. Which adhesive should you choose for making a small wooden toy that might be mouthed by a child, assuming you want a safer option?
For items that may contact the mouth, choose an adhesive that is specifically certified non-toxic or food-safe; many PVA glues come with such certification.
8. Which adhesive requires heating in a glue pot to be used and was traditionally used by cabinetmakers for furniture repairs?
Hide glue is a protein-based adhesive that is dissolved and kept warm in a glue pot; it was traditionally used in furniture-making and repairs and is reversible with heat and moisture.
9. If you are gluing two large flat panels of MDF together and need time to adjust their position, which property of adhesive is most important?
Open time describes how long the adhesive remains workable before it sets; for large panels that need alignment, a longer open time is important.
10. Which adhesive is best for bonding edge-banding (thin strips of laminate) where both surfaces need to be pressed together and the bond must be immediate upon contact?
Contact adhesive is applied to both surfaces, allowed to dry slightly, and then bonds immediately on contact, making it ideal for edge-banding.
11. What is the correct way to clean up fresh PVA glue from tools or surfaces?
PVA is water-soluble before it cures, so it is easily cleaned from tools and surfaces with water while still wet.
12. Which adhesive should be avoided for outdoor furniture that will be exposed to rain, unless sealed and protected?
Interior PVA is not water-resistant and will fail outdoors; for outdoor use choose adhesives rated for exterior or marine conditions.
13. When bonding oily or resinous timbers (like some species of eucalyptus), what surface preparation improves adhesion?
Sanding removes contaminated surface layers and wiping with a suitable solvent helps remove oils/resins so the adhesive can wet the wood properly.
14. Which statement about clamping pressure when gluing wooden joints is correct?
Proper clamping ensures contact and correct glue spread; too much pressure removes too much adhesive and weakens the joint.
15. Which adhesive type cures by a chemical reaction between two parts mixed at the time of use?
Two-part epoxies cure when resin and hardener are mixed, starting a chemical reaction that forms the final strong bond.
16. Which adhesive is least suitable for filling large gaps between rough timber surfaces because it needs close contact between surfaces?
PVA needs good surface contact and close-fitting joints to form a strong bond; it is not designed to fill large gaps.
17. What is the main disadvantage of using solvent-based adhesives inside a small classroom without ventilation?
Solvent-based adhesives release volatile organic compounds that are hazardous in poorly ventilated spaces; proper ventilation or safer alternatives should be used.
18. Which test can a student do to check if a glued joint has set enough before full use?
A small, gentle test after the glue's recommended curing time helps check bond strength without damaging the whole piece.
19. Which adhesive is commonly used to make plywood and particleboard because it bonds well with heat and pressure in industrial pressing?
Sheet goods like plywood and particleboard are usually bonded with synthetic resins (urea- or phenol-formaldehyde) that cure under heat and pressure in factories.
20. Why is it important to check the manufacturer's instructions for an adhesive before use?
Manufacturers' instructions provide essential details for correct, safe use and to achieve the advertised bond performance.
21. Which adhesive is best for quick small repairs to a broken wooden toy where you need fast handling strength?
Cyanoacrylate bonds quickly and provides fast handling strength for small repairs; for larger structural repairs a different adhesive might be better.
22. What is the correct storage practice to keep wood glue (PVA) usable for longer life in a Kenyan school workshop?
Proper storage (sealed container, cool and stable temperature) prevents spoilage and prolongs the shelf life of PVA adhesives.
23. Which adhesive would you choose for repairing a canoe or boat seat where the joint must resist water and movement?
Marine epoxies and exterior-rated adhesives are formulated to resist water and movement, making them suitable for boat repairs.
24. For veneering thin wood sheets onto a board, what is a common reason to use a veneer hammer or roller after applying adhesive?
Using a veneer hammer or roller helps squeeze out air and excess glue and ensures the veneer lies flat and makes full contact with the substrate.
25. What should you do immediately if a small amount of cyanoacrylate glue gets on your skin while working?
Cyanoacrylate bonds skin quickly; soaking in warm soapy water helps soften the bond and gentle separation is safe. Acetone removes residue but should be used carefully.
26. Which property is most important when selecting an adhesive for kitchen wooden utensils that will touch food?
Adhesives used on items that contact food must be certified food-safe or non-toxic to avoid harmful contamination.
27. Why might a carpenter in Kenya choose a water-resistant glue for building outdoor benches from treated timber?
Outdoor furniture faces moisture; water-resistant adhesives prevent joint failure and extend the life of the furniture.
28. Which adhesive will usually require mixing two components in correct proportion and working within a set pot life?
Two-part epoxies must be mixed in the correct ratio; after mixing they have a limited pot life before they begin to set.