What is the Difference Between Glue and Gum

The main difference between glue and gum is that glue is an adhesive (sticky) substance that sticks two or more materials together while gum is a viscous secretion of plant-origin from which adhesives and other products are made.

Gum can be made from both plants and animals, as well as from synthetic polymers. The origin of plant-based glue is gum. The first glues in the history of mankind were made from this plant-based gum. Later on, humans discovered various methods to produce glue.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Glue 
     – Definition, Features
2. What is Gum
     – Definition, Features
3. What is the Relationship Between Glue and Gum
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Glue and Gum
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Adhesive, Glue, Gum

What is Glue

Glue is basically a sticky material that can stick two or more things together. It is usually in liquid form – when you apply it on objects, it dries hard and holds the objects together. Glue is very easy to use, and it is one of the oldest and most versatile adhesives.

We can make gum from different types of materials; from plant and animal parts, as well as from oil-based chemicals. Historically, the first glues were natural liquids that ooze from trees when they are cut. Later on, people learned to make glue by boiling animal cartilage and bones. Materials like rubber, fish bones and milk can make very strong glues.

Figure 1: Glue

True glues are made from organic compounds like natural resins and animal collagen. You can even make a simple glue at home by mixing wheat flour and water. This type of simple glue can stick pieces of paper together. There are also synthetic polymer glues in the market; these are made with polyvinyl acetate (PVA) emulsions. Sometimes, we call these synthetic adhesives as gums or cements. 

What is a Gum

The word gum has many meanings in the context of adhesives. As mentioned in the above section, synthetic polymer glues made polyvinyl acetate (PVA) emulsions are sometimes called gum. In addition to that, gum can also refer to an adhesive substance having a vegetable origin, mostly obtained from the bark of trees belonging to the family Fabaceae. Moreover, you can obtain plant gums by making an incision in the bark of a tree and collecting the exudate continually throughout the season. In addition, we call the process of gum-production in plants gummosis.

Figure 2: Natural Gum from Plants

Furthermore, in some Asian countries like India and Sri Lanka, gum serves as a synonym for glue. For example, a gum bottle is just another word for a bottle of glue.

Relationship Between Glue and Gum

• In fact, the origin of plant-based glue is gum.
• In some Asian countries like India and Sri Lanka, gum is another word for glue.

Difference Between Glue and Gum

Definition

Glue is an adhesive substance, usually in the form of liquid, that sticks two or more materials together. Gum, on the other hand, is a viscous secretion of plant-origin which hardens on drying but is soluble in water, and from which we make adhesives and other products.

Origin

Gum can be made from both plants and animals, as well as from synthetic polymers while the origin of plant-based glue is gum.

Conclusion

In brief, glue is an adhesive substance, usually in the form of liquid, that sticks two or more materials together. Gum, on the other hand, is a viscous secretion of plant-origin which hardens on drying but is soluble in water, and from which we make adhesives and other products. Hence, this is the main difference between glue and gum.

Reference:

1. Loeschen, Daniel. “How Glue Is Made.” Mixer Direct, 27 June 2019, Available here.
2. “Gum.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 1 May 2012, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “AdhesivesForHouseUse004” By Babi Hijau – (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Natural gum of plum tree 01” By Rencas – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia