The ITTF ban of VOC primarily based speed glues for fitness motives, has resulted in the (presumable) unintentional ban of ordinary table tennis Best strongest waterproof adhesives/waterproof glue for plastic as properly. As a end result, most producer have stopped generating all VOC primarily based merchandise, and are changing to water based glues. In the eye of many, those new glues are more difficult to use, don't provide a number of the identical blessings and are substantially more steeply-priced. The major fine of the water primarily based glue is that they're safer to apply, and despite the fact that this is very important, careful coping with of the VOC based totally glues also makes fairly secure, so there's little motive to stop using them. This guide will define to make VOC based desk tennis glue from without problems available products, with performance very just like the logo call VOC based totally glues that aren't now not produced. This manual is NOT a recommendation to continue the usage of those glues, but it offers human beings the selection in the event that they do want to keep the usage of them.

A few warnings before we get into this manual:

1. Under new ITTF policies, the VOC based totally glues are actually illegal for use for ITTF events, and maximum national associations and golf equipment have followed the equal guidelines, and testing for those materials may be completed at some activities. Although "airing" the bat after you have glued it up for some days may additionally nicely purpose all of the VOC to evaporate, there's nonetheless a threat your bat may be observed to be illegal. So be warned!

2. ALL the VOC based totally desk tennis glues incorporate risky and toxic compounds, so touch with the glue or respiratory within the vapours is a precise health danger. However those glues had been used for numerous decades with the aid of players worldwide, so while treated with care in a properly ventilated vicinity, the risk is without a doubt pretty low.

VOC primarily based glues and the ITTF Ban:

Since the ban of all VOC based desk tennis glues with the aid of the ITTF, maximum producers have stopped generating them. The ban became certainly focussed on VOC primarily based "Speed Glue" (that maximum top players use), as these produce loads greater vapours, and consequently pose a much extra health threat. However because the ban, and the following trying out for VOCs to identify their presence, cannot distinguish between speed glue and regular glue, each glues are correctly banned.

Although there are quite a wide range of water based glues round, many feel they're as clean to apply, nor are they as brief to apply or as effective. The VOC primarily based glue genuinely gave rubbers a mild form of priming, which truly raise their performance a touch, although no longer all people discover this impact substantial. This impact is more substantial (and effective) on difficult sponged Chinese rubbers than it's miles on maximum Euro/Japanese rubbers. Water based totally glues also are currently extra high priced, despite the fact that this is more likely because they're a new product, and the expenses are likely to calm down through the years.

Some rubber do have warning on them, and advocate to ONLY used water based glue. The writer of this article has glued many of those rubber with VOC primarily based glues as have some of his buddies and fellow players, and have in no way had a difficulty with them.. Only pace glue is probably to be an problem, as it stretches the rubber pretty a chunk. Still if you're concerned approximately voiding the warrantee of a rubber, or are very worried approximately detrimental the rubber, or the health problem is an concern, then you definitely might be higher off with water based glue.

Making your own VOC based totally glue:

The simple factor of VOC primarily based table tennis glue is rubber cement. Although there had been variations in the glues from the exceptional manufacturers, there was definitely not a great deal of difference among them. Rubber cement, not to be stressed with touch cement, is maximum usually available at artwork deliver shops, because it's nonetheless typically used in this region.

A comparable product, referred to as vulcanising fluid or cement, is likewise still generally used inside the rubber/tyre enterprise, and you could even find it in bicycle repair kits. However this product is believed to comprise greater nasty with a few more tremendously poisonous components, so it is advocated to use the stuff from the art supply stores. Note though that both are quite flammable, risky and poisonous, and with out targeted chemical analysis, there is no real basis for my choice for the art cement. You can discover some extra information on rubber cement from the wikipedia right here: Rubber Cement. The author makes use of the National Material (NAM) Art Cement, that's commonly available in Australia. Other commonplace ones are "Best Test" and "Elmers" rubber cement.

So you could name or visit your nearby art supply store and purchase the artwork cement in small to massive tins... Typically various from 100ml to 4000ml. All the stores seem to also promote a thinner for the rubber cement, which is basically an organic solvent (heptane is commonly used) intended to thin down the glue. Usually the rubbers IS a touch thicker than ordinary desk tennis glue, so thinning it down is suggested, as a glue too thick can shape too sturdy a bond between your rubber and blade, making it tough to dispose of.

In a properly ventilated vicinity, you may thin the rubber cement down, by way of pouring a few right into a smaller tin, and mix kind of 10xrubber cement with 1x thinner. You can attempt much less thinner first, considering the fact that a few glues might also already be thinner, but typically 10:1 ratio works well. After you put them together, blend them nicely with a stirrer, like a metallic screwdriver or some thing else that isn't affected by the glue, and from which it is without difficulty detachable in a while. Mix nicely for a couple of minutes, until the aggregate appears regular without a lumps or thick bits in there.

At this factor the glue is prepared to used at once. You can pour it into an old glue or pace glue tin, one that has a brush attached to the lid, in view that a brush makes it actual smooth to use and spread the glue.

The author personally maintains the use of this glue for maximum jobs that he does, as he feels it does a better activity and he does take all the essential precaution to ensure it is now not fitness issue. The only time water based glue is used is when human beings request it, or if the bat is in all likelihood to be used in a event wherein trying out for VOCs may be finished.