J-B Weld
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The J-B Weld Company is an international company that produces epoxy products. The home office is based in Atlanta, Georgia.[1] J-B Weld (stylized as J-B WELD) is the name of their flagship product: a specialized, high-temperature epoxy adhesive for use in bonding materials together. The company has run advertisements showing engine block repair with J-B Weld.[2]
History
The company had its beginnings in 1969[3] in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Sam Bonham, at the time running a machine shop, discovered a way to create what he called a "tougher than steel" epoxy.[3] In 1968, Sam's future wife Mary persuaded him to sell his invention and found the J-B Weld Company. Sam died suddenly in 1989. He had commented before his death, "My life's dream is for J-B Weld to be all the way around the world, and for me to see an 18-wheeler load out of here with nothing but J-B Weld."[3] Within a year of his death, Mary had opened a European hub in London, internationalizing the J-B Weld company and the distribution of the product.[3]
Initially, the company sold to automotive shops and jobbers in Texas.[3] The company now distributes its products through multiple retail channels including automotive chains, home improvement centers, hardware stores, and farm stores.[1] The company now does business in all states in the United States, and in 27 other countries.[3]
Products
The J-B Weld Company's original product line focused on a small number of products: J-B Weld (original 2-tube epoxy), J-B Kwik (4-hour epoxy), J-B Stik (epoxy putty), Waterweld (underwater adhesive/filler), and other products.[4]
Since 2008 the company has broadened the product line to include J-B Kwik, J-B SteelStik, WaterWeld, KwikWood, PlasticWeld, MarineWeld, Perm-O-Seal, WoodWeld and ClearWeld.[5][6]
J-B Weld epoxy
J-B Weld is a two-part epoxy adhesive (or filler) that can withstand high-temperature environments. J-B Weld can be used to bond surfaces made from metal, porcelain, ceramic, glass, marble, PVC, ABS, concrete, fiberglass, wood, fabric, or paper.[7][8] Alcohol should be avoided when cleaning surfaces, as it can degrade the bond.[9] J-B Weld is water-resistant, petroleum/chemical-resistant (when hardened), and acid-resistant. It also resists shock, vibration, and extreme temperature fluctuations.[8] J-B Weld can withstand a constant temperature of 500 °F (260 °C), and the maximum temperature threshold is approximately 600 °F (316 °C) for 10 minutes.[9] J-B Weld can also be used inside a microwave oven, exposed to microwave radiation instead of infrared radiation (heat).[7]
The product is contained in 2 separate tubes: the "hardener" (red tube) and the "steel" (black tube of resin). Equal amounts are squeezed from both tubes and mixed.[7] For the best weld, surfaces should be roughened (or scratched) with fine or coarse sandpaper.
The mixture will set up, for handling, within 4–6 hours,[7] but requires 15 hours (at cool temperatures) to fully cure and harden. When first mixed, J-B Weld is subject to sagging or running (slow dripping), more so at warmer temperatures.[2][7] After about 20 minutes the mixture begins to thicken into a putty that can be shaped, which becomes hard after 4–6 hours.[7] Within 3 hours (in cool temperatures), the putty can be shaped (with a putty knife or wooden paddle) into a weld bead or extruded shape.[7]
J-B Weld works faster when used in above 50 °F (10 °C).[7] After J-B Weld has cured for the first six hours, a heat lamp or incandescent light bulb placed near the weld will speed the curing time.[2][7] An application might sag or drip before 4–6 hours.
J-B Weld can be used as an adhesive, laminate, plug, filler, sealant, or electrical insulator.[8] When fully cured, J-B Weld can be drilled, formed, ground, tapped, machined, sanded, and painted.[8] However until hardened, it can sag or drip when applied.[8]
J-B Kwik epoxy
J-B Kwik (stylized as J-B KWIK) is a two-part epoxy adhesive (or filler) that can withstand medium-temperature environments (up to 300 °F or 149 °C).[10]
J-B Kwik cures much more quickly, but it is not as strong or as heat-resistant as the original J-B Weld.[2][10] However, J-B Kwik has the same adhesion (1,800 psi or 12 MPa) as J-B Weld, and also does not shrink when hardening.[10]
J-B Kwik can be used to bond surfaces made from any combination of iron, steel, copper, aluminum, brass, bronze, pewter,[10] plus porcelain, wood, ceramic, glass, marble, PVC, ABS, concrete, fiberglass, fabric, or paper.[8][10] J-B Kwik is waterproof, petroleum/chemical-resistant (when cured), acid-resistant; plus resists shock, vibration, and extreme temperature fluctuations.[8]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Ellipse Capital Announces Equity Investment in J-B Weld Company". December 29, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Gomez, Sleepy (2009). "StockcarR-411 Radiator Repair". Stock Car Racing. Archived from the original on February 15, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f "About J-B Weld Company", JBWELD.net, 2004, https://www.jbweld.com/about JBWELD-about]
- ^ "J-B Weld Company - Products Overview", JBWeld.net, 2004, JBWeld-products.
- ^ "Featured Entrepreneur: Mary Bonham". constantcontact.com. Building Bridges Newsletter. Summer 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
- ^ Sampson, William (September 16, 2013). "In the Shop: Wood repair products from J-B Weld". www.fdmcdigital.com. CabinetMakerFDM. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "J-B Usage Instructions", JBWELD.net, 2004, JBWELD-use.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Repair Products UK Ltd: Metal Glue - J-B Weld", Repair Products UK Ltd, 2009,RProducts-42.
- ^ a b "Frequently Asked Questions", JBWELD.net, 2004, JBWELD-faq.
- ^ a b c d e "J-B KWIK Product Information", JBWeld.net, 2009, JBKwik.