Copydex is a common latex-based

rubber cement Rubber cement (cow gum in British English) is an adhesive made from elastic polymers (typically natural rubber, latex) mixed in a solvent such as acetone, hexane, heptane or toluene to keep it fluid enough to be used. This makes it part of the cla ...

in the UK. It can be easily recognised by its characteristic "fishy" odour. It has been owned since 1986 by

Henkel Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, commonly known as Henkel, is a German multinational chemical and consumer goods company headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany. Founded in 1876, the DAX company is organized into two globally operating business units (Cons ...

Uses

Also known as "fishy glue" this contact adhesive is commonly used when sticking a variety of materials, such as paper, board, upholstery, and carpet. It is used widely by model makers as a "mask" to protect areas during airbrushing. It can be used as an alternative to Table Tennis glue. Copydex is also frequently used to apply false eyelashes in the theatre to make sure they stay on during entire performances.

Composition

Unlike many other

s, it consists of latex dissolved in water. As such it is relatively non-toxic and so is frequently used in primary schools. It also contains

ammonia Ammonia is an inorganic chemical compound of nitrogen and hydrogen with the chemical formula, formula . A Binary compounds of hydrogen, stable binary hydride and the simplest pnictogen hydride, ammonia is a colourless gas with a distinctive pu ...

http://media.supplychain.nhs.uk/media/documents/WZP5705/COSHH/28793_WZP5705.pdf to stabilise the rubber solution. This is the source of its characteristic smell.

References

Adhesives {{Product-stub