No, you cannot effectively super glue PVC pipe.
Super Glue, also known as Crazy Glue or cyanoacrylate adhesive, is not suitable for bonding PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) pipe. While it has a reputation for connecting various materials, it explicitly doesn't work for PVC.
Why Super Glue Fails on PVC
Super Glue is highly effective on porous materials like wood, ceramics, and certain light plastics because it creates a strong bond by reacting with moisture on the surface and filling in microscopic gaps. However, PVC is a smooth, non-porous plastic that does not provide the necessary surface characteristics for Super Glue to form a durable or reliable bond.
As the provided reference states:
Crazy Glue/Super Glue works great on porous things, like wood ceramics and some light plastics, but won't work on many smooth plastics. Like Gorilla Glue, it has a reputation that it will connect any two things together, but in reality, it doesn't work for PVC.
This means that any attempt to use Super Glue on PVC pipe will result in a weak, temporary, or non-existent bond, which is completely inadequate for plumbing, drainage, or any structural application involving PVC.
What Works for PVC Pipe?
For securely joining PVC pipes and fittings, a specialized bonding agent known as PVC cement (also called PVC glue or solvent cement) is required. PVC cement isn't a traditional adhesive; it's a chemical solvent that works by softening and chemically fusing the surfaces of the PVC pipe and fitting together, creating a strong, watertight, and permanent bond through a process called "solvent welding."
Here's what you typically need for proper PVC bonding:
- PVC Primer: A purple or clear liquid applied before the cement. It cleans and softens the PVC surface, preparing it for optimal bonding with the cement.
- PVC Cement: The actual bonding agent. It chemically melts the top layer of the PVC, and as it dries, the two pieces of PVC pipe and fitting become a single, unified piece. Different types are available for various pipe sizes, pressures, and temperatures (e.g., medium-bodied, heavy-bodied).
Comparison: Super Glue vs. PVC Cement
To illustrate the difference in application and effectiveness:
| Feature | Super Glue (Cyanoacrylate Adhesive) | PVC Cement (Solvent Cement) |
|---|---|---|
| Bonding Method | Adhesion (fills gaps, reacts with surface moisture) | Solvent welding (chemically melts and fuses PVC surfaces) |
| Effectiveness | Poor/None on PVC; ideal for porous materials, some light plastics | Excellent on PVC; creates a permanent, watertight, structural bond |
| Durability | Weak or non-existent on PVC | Extremely strong, as strong as the pipe itself |
| Application | Not suitable for plumbing or high-pressure/water applications | Essential for all PVC plumbing, drainage, and conduit systems |
Conclusion
For any application involving PVC pipe, especially plumbing or structural uses, always use the appropriate PVC primer and PVC cement. Super Glue is not a viable alternative and will lead to bond failure.
