Selleys Araldite Helps Wilbur the Giant Tortoise
How did Selleys Araldite help Wilbur the giant tortoise?
Wilbur the giant tortoise lives at the Melbourne Zoo. He is somewhere between 90 and 110 years old, and his shell is not what it used to be. Recently, when a part of his shell had broken off, the staff used Selleys Araldite to make running repairs on Wilbur.
That is the whole story as Selleys tells it, and it is worth leaving there rather than dressing it up. What makes it interesting is not the drama but the choice: of everything a zoo could have reached for, the repair was made with a two-part epoxy adhesive off a hardware shelf.
Why an epoxy for a job like that
The product named in the story is Araldite Super Strong Epoxy Adhesive. Selleys describes it as being for the most heavy-duty repairs — a super strong bond with a 5-minute set time, designed for load-bearing repairs, broken furniture, woodworking or concrete repair, with a crystal-clear finish.
Two properties in that description explain why an epoxy suits a repair on a hard, curved, irregular surface where clamping is not really an option:
- It cures by chemical reaction rather than by drying or soaking in. A PVA wood glue needs both faces to be absorbent; a contact adhesive needs both faces coated and a controlled open time. A two-part epoxy simply reacts with itself, so it does not care whether the substrate can take up moisture.
- It sets fast and gains strength progressively. The published figures are a 5 minute set, an initial bond at 30 minutes during which the joint should not be strained, maximum bond at 16 hours, and full cure at around 24 hours.
Its rated strength is up to 150 kg/cm² on clean, abraded surfaces — a figure per square centimetre of bonded area rather than a hanging weight, which is why surface preparation matters as much as the product itself.
The Araldite range at a glance
| Product | Set / working time | Initial bond | Maximum bond | Rated to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Araldite Super Strong | 5 minute set | 30 minutes | 16 hours (full cure ~24 hours) | 150 kg/cm² |
| Araldite Rapid | 90 second set | 10 minutes | 16 hours | 75 kg/cm² |
| Araldite 5 Minute | 2–3 minutes working time at 20°C | 30 minutes | 16 hours | 75 kg/cm² |
| Araldite Extra Time | 60 minutes working time | 6–8 hours | 24–72 hours | 150 kg/cm² |
Figures are from the products' technical data sheets and are indicative results rather than a basis for preparing specifications.
What the range will and will not bond
Across the Araldite epoxies, the published limitations are consistent and worth knowing before you take on your own repair:
- They will not bond PTFE, polyethylene or polypropylene.
- Bonds soften above 60°C (80°C for Araldite Extra Time), and regain their strength when the temperature returns to normal.
- Cold weather extends bonding times.
- Leather and rubber require a pre-test before you commit to the repair.
- The product may discolour if exposed to UV.
Surfaces need to be abraded, clean and dry — the strength figures assume it.
A note on repairs involving animals
The Wilbur repair was carried out by zoo staff, who are the people qualified to decide what is appropriate for an animal in their care. Selleys does not publish veterinary guidance, and none of the Araldite technical data sheets cover use on or near an animal. If you have a pet with an injury, the right first call is a vet rather than a hardware store.
More Selleys stories
Wilbur's is one of five stories Selleys has published from customers and organisations who found a use for a product that the label never anticipated:
- Selleys Knead It comes to the rescue on the high seas — a burst power steering hose repaired mid-ocean with epoxy putty and a drink can.
- Selleys Knead It saves the day in the Great Victoria Desert — a torn tailpipe repaired with a tin, a few screws and Knead It.
- Selleys Shoe Fix with Fixer Upper — a pair of boots saved from the bin.
- Selleys wins Most Trusted Brand six years in a row.
The full collection is at Selleys Stories.
Common questions
What product was used on Wilbur's shell?
Selleys Araldite. The story names Araldite Super Strong Epoxy Adhesive as the product for the most heavy-duty repairs.
How old is Wilbur?
Somewhere between 90 and 110 years old, according to Selleys.
Where does he live?
At the Melbourne Zoo.
What is Araldite Super Strong designed for?
Load-bearing repairs, broken furniture, woodworking and concrete repair, with a crystal-clear finish and a 5-minute set time.
How strong is it?
Up to 150 kg/cm² on clean, abraded surfaces — a stress figure per square centimetre of bonded area, not a hanging weight.
How long does it take to reach full strength?
Maximum bond after 16 hours, with full cure at around 24 hours. Do not strain the joint during the first 30 minutes.
What will Araldite not stick to?
PTFE, polyethylene and polypropylene. Leather and rubber should be pre-tested.
Can I use it on my pet?
No published Selleys guidance covers use on animals. Speak to a vet.
Where can I read more about choosing an epoxy?
See Glue Guide 101 and the epoxy glue range.
What is the story about on this Selleys page?
The page tells the story of how Selleys Araldite helped fix Wilbur, a giant tortoise's shell, described as a heartwarming story featured on Selleys Stories.
What product was used to help Wilbur the tortoise?
Selleys Araldite was the product used to help fix Wilbur, a giant tortoise's shell.
What company published this story about Wilbur the tortoise?
The story was published by Selleys, an Australian adhesives, sealants and fillers brand.
Who founded Selleys and when?
Selleys was founded by Martin Selley in 1939 in Sydney, Australia.
What is Selleys' relationship to DuluxGroup?
Selleys is a division of DuluxGroup (Australia) Pty Ltd, which is its parent organization.
Where can this story be found online?
The story is published at https://www.selleys.com.au/selleys-stories/selleys-araldite-helps-wilbur-the-giant-tortoise/ under the Selleys Stories section of the Selleys website.
What type of brand is Selleys?
Selleys is described as an Australian adhesives, sealants and fillers brand.