The most common and effective way to "fuse" or bond rubber bands together is by using a suitable adhesive, particularly cyanoacrylate adhesives, commonly known as super glue.
Using Adhesive to Bond Rubber Bands
Bonding rubber bands involves creating a strong connection between two pieces of rubber. While melting or heat fusion is possible for some plastics, it's not a practical or safe method for typical rubber bands without specialized equipment, and it often degrades the material. Adhesives offer a straightforward solution.
According to the reference, cyanoacrylate adhesives are the best glue for rubber bonding, including many different types of rubbers. This product, more commonly known as super glue, is highly effective because it cures very quickly, often in just seconds. This rapid curing allows you to determine the bond's strength almost immediately.
Why Super Glue Works for Rubber
Super glue works by reacting with the moisture on the surfaces being bonded, creating a strong, rigid plastic bond. For flexible materials like rubber, it forms a strong connection that can withstand some degree of movement, although excessive stretching directly at the bond point can cause it to break.
Steps for Bonding with Super Glue
To fuse rubber bands using super glue:
- Ensure Clean Surfaces: Make sure the ends or surfaces of the rubber bands you want to join are clean and free of dirt, oil, or dust. Cleaning with rubbing alcohol and letting it dry can help.
- Apply a Small Amount: Apply a tiny drop of super glue to one of the surfaces you wish to bond. Using too much glue can prevent proper curing and result in a weak bond.
- Press Together: Carefully press the two rubber surfaces together firmly and hold them in place for the time recommended by the glue manufacturer (often just 10-30 seconds).
- Allow to Cure: While super glue sets quickly, the bond often reaches maximum strength after a longer period, sometimes up to 24 hours. Handle the bonded piece gently until fully cured.
Using super glue is a practical method for creating longer chains, joining ends to form loops, or repairing breaks in rubber bands when flexibility at the joint is not paramount.
