Rant: everyone needs to stop using PVA glue for book hinges

I just had to tear apart three books last week because the hinges cracked after six months, and it was all from people using regular PVA instead of something like EVA or a proper flexible adhesive, so can we please agree on this before I lose more weekend time?

2 comments

2 Comments

parker_bailey1mo ago

This topic came up in a book repair group I lurk in and someone there broke it down pretty good. Regular PVA is basically school glue, it dries hard and brittle which is the exact opposite of what you want in a hinge that needs to flex. That group swears by Lineco neutral pH adhesive or just a good quality PVA blend made for bookbinding. That three book problem you had sounds like someone used Elmer's or something, which is a total nightmare for anything that moves.

olivia4781mo agoMost Upvoted

Yeah that Elmer's guess is probably right. Seen it before. Stuff turns to concrete in a year. Good PVA blend stays flexible, makes all the difference.