There are very exotic situations that require a non-standard solution and the use of specific materials. When working with optical devices glass and lenses the main thing is to maintain their basic property – transparency. This article describes optically transparent glue, which can be used quickly and easily enough for gluing glass and glass products.
Optical Adhesive:
As a rule, transparent glasses (lenses) are glued with special transparent adhesives of very high transparency of the type: balsam – the resin of some varieties of wood, which has medicinal properties, and balsamin – viscous substance in the main composition which includes carbinol.
Balm is a solid, transparent substance. If balsam is applied in a thin layer, it remains completely colorless. If balsam is heated it becomes a viscous adhesive liquid. Balsam accumulates in plants the index of refraction of balsam is about the same as that of glass. When this glue dries, it does not crystallize and remains transparent called “Canada Balsam”.
Gluing the glass with transparent glue (Canadian balsam):
Optical products should be washed gently with warm water and wiped well with a clean, soft cloth, preferably a cloth or chintz.
After warm water, the glass should be wiped down with an alcohol wipe. Do not allow dust to settle on the glued surfaces of clear glass. The glass surfaces should be heated to a temperature of about 130-140°C, (with an industrial hair dryer or electric stove). Then, it is necessary to melt the balsam and apply it to the glass surface, after which they must be carefully connected by gently pressing and squeezing out the excess and air bubbles. The glass surfaces should be gently squeezed and fixed.
If balsamine is used, it does not need to be heated. Glass surfaces should be degreased beforehand with dichloroethane or acetone and wiped with a clean chamois. Then apply balsamine to both surfaces and press them together firmly and fix (do not overdo it, that the glass is not cracked). Balsamine dries for about two days, so be patient.
