J-B Weld

A package of J-B WELD, showing "hardener" (red tube) and "steel" (black tube of resin): equal amounts are squeezed from both tubes and mixed.

The J-B Weld Company is an international company that produces epoxy products. The home office is based in Atlanta, Georgia.[1] Also, J-B WELD is the name of their flagship product: a specialized, high-temperature epoxy adhesive for use in bonding materials together (see below: J-B WELD epoxy). The company is noted for its 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, England, 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 distributed its products though 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 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

The product 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, wood, ceramic, or glass,[7] plus marble, PVC, ABS, concrete, fiberglass, wood, fabric, or paper.[8] Avoid using alcohol to clean surfaces.[9] J-B WELD is waterproof, petroleum/chemical-resistant (when hardened), acid-resistant, plus 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 could sag or drip when applied.[8]

J-B KWIK epoxy

The product 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]

Because J-B KWIK cures quickly 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 nit--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, wood, 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]

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Ellipse Capital Announces Equity Investment in J-B Weld Company". December 29, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Gomez, Sleepy (2009). "StockcarR-411 Radiator Repair". automotive.com. Stock Car Racing magazine. Retrieved March 26, 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 "About J-B WELD Company", JBWELD.net, 2004, webpage: JBWELD-about.
  4. ↑ "J-B Weld Company - Products Overview", JBWELD.net, 2004, webpage: JBWELD-products.
  5. ↑ Sampson, William (September 16, 2013). "In the Shop: Wood repair products from J-B Weld". www.fdmcdigital.com. CabinetMakerFDM. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  6. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 "J-B Usage Instructions", JBWELD.net, 2004, webpage: JBWELD-use.
  7. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 "Repair Products UK Ltd: Metal Glue - J-B WELD", Repair Products UK Ltd, 2009, webpage: RProducts-42.
  8. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Frequently Asked Questions", JBWELD.net, 2004, webpage: JBWELD-faq.
  9. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 "J-B KWIK Product Information", JBWELD.net, 2009, webpage: JBKWIK.

References

External