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Understanding UV Bonding

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When it comes to bonding glass together, using screws, hinges or the like is impractical, and potentially dangerous. UV bonding is the sensible, safe alternative. But what exactly is it?

UV bonding is a relatively new process, which involves gluing two separate pieces of glass together using a UV curing adhesive. The adhesive is cured using a special UV light, or UV activator. You’d be forgiven for questioning the structural integrity of a finished article, for the idea of gluing glass together doesn’t instil everyone with confidence! However, UV curing adhesive is not only stronger than any other alternative adhesive available on the market, but the bonded joints are actually stronger than the glass itself.

With UV bonding, the glass remains wholly intact, which ensures there are no weak points, as the adhesive negates the need for drilling holes or re shaping the glass. On top of this, once bonded, the joints show no visible signs of glue residue, ensuring your furniture will always have a clean, clear, professional finish.

Several materials can be bonded to glass using this technique; stainless steel and aluminium are commonly bonded to glass in contemporary kitchens and bathrooms for a crisp, modern interior design. In the past glass furniture – such as display cases – were bonded to aluminium frames; however, this practice is more time consuming than UV bonding, and, unless the glass is roughly cut, it’s more expensive too (frames are good at hiding the rough edges). When glass is bonded together using a UV adhesive, the edges must be refined, clean, and polished to obtain the best possible adhesion. Cheaply processed glass with poorly cut edges will not bond as well, and the joints could potentially be much weaker because of this.

UV bonding has also been successful in bonding glass to stone (usually granite), glass to plastic (although not Perspex), and glass to wood (only hardwoods however). The thickness of the glass is, to an extent, irrelevant, as the level of application can be altered according to the size and weight of the glass panels.

UV bonding is extremely quick. Often, manufacturers/specialists will pre-cure the glass until approximately 70% of the final strength is reached. Up to this point, any excess adhesive can be removed and discarded. Pre-curing times vary between a few seconds up to two minutes, depending on the strength of the UV lamp. The whole process usually only takes between 1 and 5 minutes, although exposing the glued joint to a UV light any longer than this won’t negatively affect the bond; it just won’t be achieving anything further.

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If you’re interested in purchasing bespoke, UV bonded glass furniture, or commissioning a piece of glass furniture with UV bonded joints, then check out www.ghinteriorglass.com. GH Interior Glass specialise in designing, creating, and manipulating glass for a variety of services; one of which is UV bonded furniture.


Glass, as a material, is an aesthetically pleasing product. UV bonding ensures the material does not need to be fused or combined with other materials to be structurally usable, or, if this does need to occur, then it can be achieved without using bulky, unsightly hinges or screws. UV bonding is the future for all glass products!

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