ABS
Acrylonitrile, Butadiene Styrene. Thermoplastic used in industry for rigid, light and moulded products.
A
Abrasive paper (sandpaper, carborandum paper)
Sheets covered with abrasive material, which are very supple and resistant and used either manually or on various machines in order to smooth down all types of metal, woods, plastics…
Acetate
Salt or chemical ester whose formula is CH[e]3[/e]COO-
Acetate polyvinyl
Also called vinyl polyacetate or PVA.Glue called "white glue" used for porous materials. Its utilization is very popular for the binding of books.
Acetic acide
C[e]2[/e]H[e]4[/e]0[e]2[/e]. Corrosive acid present in vinegar that can be used as an antiseptic or disinfectant.
Acetone
CH[e]3[/e]COOCH[e]3[/e] A solvent used to make soluble organic species and for dissolving glue and cellulose based fibres.
Acetylene
C[e]2[/e]H[e]2[/e] Reacts with chloridic acid to produce vinyl chloride. Its high temperature combustion point enables the soldering of metals such as aluminium,inox,copper, and alloys.
Acrylate
CH[e]2[/e]=CHCOO- Ester of the vinyl family.
Acrylic
Acrylate based synthetic fibre.
Alkaline
Metal based on hydroxide of alkaline or ammonium. The alkaline metals include lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium and cesium.
Alkalinity
Material composed of the hydroxyde of a alkaline or ammonium metal.
An overflow
Excess of a substance e.g excess of glue.
Anaerobic
Series of chemical reactions of an organism in an environment devoid of oxygen.
Anhydrous
Referring to an element containing no water.
Anionic surfactant
Also called anionic tensio-active. Compound with a high foam and detergent power which can be found in detergents and cosmetics.
Aqueous
Substance/ material containing water.
B
Beveled edge
An edge, e.g. edge of a table,frame etc., cut at an angle.
Biodegradable
Used to describe a manufactured good which decomposes naturally and quickly to become growth or fertilizing element particles for plants.
Braid
A woven or braided strip made for decorative purposes.
Butanone
C[e]4[/e]H[e]8[/e] Colourless liquide used as an industrial solvent.
C
CSTB
French public research institute aimed at improving the comfort and security in the construction sector. Cf.British private sector institute BRE group.
CTBH
code used to describe a plywood which is resistant to dampness and water. These codes refer to established standards. Ex. in U.K. WBP plywood.
CTBX
Code used to describe a type of plywood.
Camaieux
A paint using one colour in several tonal variations.
Capillarity action
The action of a liquid (elevation or depression) in relation to solids whether by contact or simple proximity.
Casein
Protein or fibre obtained from milk and used as a binding element in paint.
Cationic
Adjective referring to the reaction of an ion or group of ions in cathode, that is to say when the electrical charge exits in an electrolyser.
Celluloid
Earliest plastic manufactured from nitrocellulose and camphor.
Cellulose
(C[e]6[/e]H[e]10[/e]0R)[e]n[/e] Carbohydrate component to be found in the walls of vegetable cells.
Cellulosic
Containing cellulose or a component of the cellulose family.
Chip board
Name for a solid compact mass of distinct elements (wood for example).
Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride
Very resistant PVC which is not subject to corrosion.
Clamp
A tool used in carpentry or building which enables two elements to be placed in conatct mechanically.
Co-extruded
Multi-layer plastic obtained from extrusion.
Coated with plastic
Covered with a thin plastic layer.
Collodion
Mixture of ether and alcohol.
Copolymer
Chemical compound of macromolecules made up of different monomers.
Crepe
A light, thin fabric with a wrinkled surface.
Cross-linkage / reticulation
Refers to the modification of a polymer through the linking of micromolecules.
Cyanoacrylate
An adhesive derived from cyanoacrylic acid enabling a particularly solid bonding.
Cyanosis
A product derived from cyanoacrylate.
D
Decorating table
Working table used to prepare wall paper.
Dextrin
Product derived from the degradation of starch through heating or hydrolysis used to make glues.
Dilatation joint
A joint which takes into account movements due to severe temperature variations.
Dimethacrylate
Junction agent between polymers and elastomers.
Dual level
Manufactured in order to have two levels.
E
EPS
Also called PSE. It's a white and solid foam usually used to protect objects.
Elastomer
Elastic polymer extracted from the rubber tree (Amazonian forest) and which includes rubber, latex, neoprene and silicon.
Embrossed
A decoration made up of projecting intercrossing lines.
Emulsion
Continious diffusion of one liquid into another which produces a heterogeneous environment.
Epoxide
Cyclic ether entering into the preparation of solvent and plastics.
Epoxidic
That which encloses epoxide.
Epoxy
Macromolecular compound made of cyclic ethers entering into the preparation of solvent and plastics.
Ethylene
C[e]2[/e]H[e]4[/e] Hydrocarbon also called R1150. Part of the creation of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and in various plastic materials.
Expanded polyethylene
Polyethylene where the volume has been augmented.
Expanded vinyl in relief
Type of expanded vinyl wall paper.
Extrusion
Referring to the action of pushing plastic through a spinneret in order to fluidify it.
F
Filling-up
Action of filling-up a crack or a hole.
Fireproof
Refers to something which is covered with a substance and which will only burn with great difficulty.
Flextec
Technology enabling the making of flexible bondings in extreme conditions while still keeping a high tack.
Floating installation
Putting down parquet flooring by fitting together the planks, without fixing them on the ground.
Floating parquet
Wooden parquet type flooring when the planks are not fixed on the floor but only fitted together.
Fungicide
Product preventing fungus growth.
Fungicide, antifungus agent
A term used to qualify a product which protects wood against lignivorous micro-plants and preventing their coming back.
G
Glycero
C[e]3[/e]H[e]8[/e]0[e]3[/e] By-product of the reaction of saponification taking place in the making of various medecines but also in the manufacture of cellophane.
Grouting joints
A joint surrounding the contours of an element such as a floor tile.
H
Heptane
C[e]7[/e]H[e]16[/e] Hydrocarbon.
Hotmelt
Qualifies a physical contact melted-form glue.
Hybrid polymer
Polymer, the terminations of which have been modified artificially in order to increase adhesion.
Hydrocarbon
An element composed of carbon and hydrogen, but also referring to oil and natural gas.
Hydrometry
A science measuring the properties of water.
I
Isocyanate
C=N=O Organic composite used in the manufacturing of paper, adhesive, textil and insulation.
L
LPG
Also called liquefied petroleum gas. Residue from oil extraction generally used as fuel.
Laminated
Referring to a material made up of several identical layers stuck together by a resin or silicon.
Levelling
Action of levelling a wall or relief i.e. raised surface.
Lintel
Horizontal support above a door, window or bay window holding up the remaining masonery.
M
MCX
Methyl Cellulose eXtra Glue for wall paper.
MDF
Medium Density Fiberboard. Wood fiber composite of medium density mainly used in decorating and fitting-out.
MS Polymer
Polymer Silicone Sealant.
Manifold / hose
A tube made mainly of rubber used in the car industry to convey air or fuel from different parts of the engine.
Matrix / guide
A model which enables the tracing out of certain objects or for respecting reglementary dimensions of an object.
Mercaptan
Also called Thion. An organic compound comparable to alcohols which has the particularity of reacting with mercury ions. Mercaptan is characterised by its strong and unpleasant smell.
Metal-cleaning
An action which aims at removing the oxides from the surface of a metal.
Methyl cellulose
A water soluble compound to be found in water based paints, textil size and in the making of cardbooards.
Mortar
A mixture of sand, cement and water for building and redering purposes.
Mounting
Refers to the action of pasting up wallpaper with a pressing movement from the centre to the sides.
N
Neoprene
Also called polychloroprene, neoprene is a synthetic rubber.
Nitrocellulose
Collodion is the term given to jellified nitrocellulose.
Non-woven
A cellulose and polyester fibre based textile which is particulary resistant and easy to put up.
Nozzle
A narrow tube enabling a liquid to be injected into an orifice or onto a surface.
O
Oakum
Strands coming from hemp or linen.
P
PTFE
Also calledTéflon®. CF[e]2[/e]-CF[e]2[/e] polymer with high resistance to chemical products, heat. Can be found on non adhesive coatings.
PU
Also called Polyurethane. Urethane polymer used in wood glue due to its water resistance.
Pasting
Referring to the action of putting glue or paste on an object. Glue for wood, paper etc. paste for wallpaper, posters etc.
Phenol-formaldehyde
Polymer used in making glues and adhesives.
Phenolic nitrile
Physical contact glue. Adhesion takes place with the evaporation of solvent.
Phenolic resin
Resin resisting to the temperature variations mainly used in the building sector and in the transport industry.
Photocurable
Chains of polymers which join together when in contact with light and which form a network.
Piece of wood
A supporting length of wood used in construction work. Sometimes called a bracket.
Plastisol
Paste coming from the scattering of polymer powder in a plasticizer.
Polyacrylic
Acrylic bind which polymerises while drying, taking on the aspect of thick paste in strong glues.
Polyamide
Polymers used in the making of plastic material in the textil industry.
Polyane
A soft, resistant and inflammable plastic.
Polyane film
Plastic waterproof film used in the making of barriers against water and vapor.
Polybenzimidazole
Known under the abbreviation PBI. A very resistant Synthetic fibre more particularly used in the making of ropes and joints which are very resistant to high temperature.
Polychloroprene
Very frequently called neoprene. Synthetic elastomer.
Polyester
Polymers which patterns are related by ester functions.
Polyethane dimethacrylate
Bi composant glue.
Polyethylene
Plastic material.
Polymer
Macromolecule composed of a repeated pattern. Among these polymers, we can count rubber, cellulose, polyamide and polyethylene.
Polymerization
Jointing of several identical molecules (pattern) to form a polymer macromolecule.
Polymerize
Referring to the action of joining several identical molecules to form a polymer.
Polymethyl
Polymethyl. Transparent thermoplastic.
Polyol
C[e]n[/e]H[e]2n[/e]+2O[e]n[/e] Also called glycol or polyalcohol, is used in making foam.
Polypropylene
Also called PP (CH[e]2[/e]-CH-CH[e]3[/e])[e]n[/e]. Polymer with a propylene pattern used in the car industry, for plastic pieces such as a bumpers, but also in food packaging and in types of paper.
Polyquinoxaline
Polymer used in various adhesive products but also in varnishes and non-driving films.
Polystyrène
Also called PS. Coming from the polymerisation of styren. It Is most commonly used under its expanded form as a white protective foam. Also present in the making of rigid plastic and food packaging.
Polythene
(CH[e]2[/e]=CH[e]2[/e])[e]n[/e] Plastic at the root of inert plastic also called under the abbrevation PE, usually used in plastic bags.
Polyurethane
Also called PU. Urethane polymer used in wood glue due to its water resistance.
Polyvinyl
Also called polyvinyl polymer. One of the main components of white glue.
Polyvinyl acetate
CH[e]2[/e]-CH-O-COH[e]3[/e] thermoplastic polymer used in the elaboration of adhesives, films, varnishes and paints.
Polyvinyl chloride
Also called Polychloride vinyl. CH2=CHCl Polymer usually used in the sticking and soldering but also in the creation of various types of plastic such as the one used for pipes.
Prepolymer
Mixture of monomer and polymer aiming at polymerization.
Pressure gauge
An instrument for measuring the pressure of a fluid.
Primer coat
Coating which increases the adhesion of a floor, or of paint.
R
Radical
Polymerization of radical chemical species.
Remover / stripper
That which removes or strips.
S
SBR (Styrene-Butadiene Rubber)
A synthetic rubber, also called Styrene butadiene rubber, present in tyres, chewing gum and in cars.
Saltpeter
A residue of bacterial development in the form of white fibres on walls or floors of buildings.
Scouring agent
A product which effectively removes the oxides from the surface of a metal.
Screeding
Referring to the action of causing all the bumps, and depressions on the ground.
Self-amalgamating
That which combines or unites hetergenous elements automatically.
Shoring up
Describes the manner by which part of a construction is held up by wooden or metal joists.
Silicone
Also called polysiloxane. Polymer allowing, in different forms, the manufacturing of plenty of products. It can take a liquid form, sopple, solid and can be found in glues, sealants and other adhesives.
Sisal
A fiber textile derived from a mexican plant (agave) used to make cord and certain textiles.
Skirting board
The lower part of a wall or pillar in contact with the ground. Often added to the base of a wall.
Solvent
A substance possessing the quality of being able to dissolve other substances without altering or degrading their chemical properties.
Starchy
Containing starch.
Substrate
An element undergoing changes which are examined after a chemical reaction.
Sulfonate
SO[e]2[/e]OH Can be found in certain salts and esters.
Surfactant
A two part molecule one of which reacts to water and the other to oily substances. These molecules are particularly present in detergents.
T
Tack
Properties of immediate support of a glue or a sealant. The glued object is instantly maintained on a surface (even vertical) but it hasn't got all the adhesive properties of glue. It is important to wait until it is dry, according to the guidelines, before subjecting the object to any pressure.
Tackifier
Gives instant adhesion. This adhesion is nevertheless not definitive and a defined drying period is neccessary before subjecting the glued object to any pressure. This drying time lapse is indicated on the product.
Tacky dry
Application and drying time before sticking of a layer of adhesive on a surface.
Teflon
Also called polyetrafluorethylene or PTFE. Polymer with a high resistance to chemical products and heat, can also be found in non adhesive coatings.
Tetrahydrofuran
Also called tetrahydrofurane. Ether is usually used as a solvent.
Thermo hygrometry
Measure of the humidity of a place according to the heat and the pourcentage of humidity present.
Thermofusible
Used to describe a substance which gives rise to adhesion when heated.
Thermoplastic
Polymer having the particularity of becoming liquid, soft due to heat and also to become malleable.
To catalyze
To modify the speed of a chemical reaction without modifiying the end product of the reaction.
To extrude
Referring to the action of pushing plastic through a spinneret in order to fluidify it.
To exude
The action of releasing a liquid that seeps in contact with walls.
To groove
Describes a surface marked with cavities or grooves.
To gum / to stick
To apply and drying time before sticking a layer of adhesive on the surface.
To level off
To put at the same surface level a wall or raised surface.
To mount
Stick by exerting a pressure from the centre to the sides.
To paste
Referring to the action of putting paste on an object such as wallpaper.
Trichloroethylene
C[e]2[/e]HCl[e]3[/e] Also called ethylene trichloride or trichlo. This is a chemical compound usually used as a solvent and which has the particularity of not being very inflammable.
Trimmings
Activity concerned with decorative details.
U
Unplasticised polyvinyl chloride
Referring to a non plastified PVC not subject to corrosion.
Urea-formaldehyde
Synthetic glue.
V
Vinyl
That which contains vinyl.
Vinyl acetate
CH3COO-CH=CH2 present in solution form in solvents. Also in the make up of certain textiles and paper.
Vinyl ethylene acetate
Name given to a thermoplastic copolymer which possesses the characteristics of a thermofusible glue.
W
WRAS
Water regulations advisory scheme concerned with the quality of water.
Water soluble starch
Stock of intracellular carbohydrate soluble in water or in a aqueous environment.
Water-soluble
That which is soluble in water or in a watery environment.
Waterproofing
That which offers a protection against dampness and water.
Width, strip
Refers to the width or length of a piece of wallpaper cut from a roll.By extension used also for a piece of cloth cut from a roll.