All animal hide glues possess many unique physical and chemical properties. Among their properties are the following:

Placed in cold water, animal hide glues do not dissolve readily, but first swell to a marked degree, absorbing considerable water. On the application of gentle heat (preferably by means of a jacketed kettle) the swollen glue readily turns into a uniform solution at 100-140(F).
Animal glue solutions set to a jelly state on cooling from the liquid state; the jelly may be reversed by the application of heat. In adhesive work the normal rapid development of the jelly state provides a fast set and tackiness, with quick development of initial holding strength.
Animal glue films, as deposited from water solutions upon drying, are continuous, non-crystallizing, and have great strength and elasticity. The tensile strength of animal glue is calculated to be in the range of 10,000 lbs. per square inch, far in excess of industrial and artistic demands.
Due to its peculiar protein structure, animal hide glue is resistant to structural breakdown by either acids or alkalis within normal practical limits.
Normal dry films of animal hide glue are soluble only in water. As sizes they are especially resistant to grease, oil, alcohol, and other chemicals that are normally free of water.
Animal hide glue solutions are compatible with modifying additives such as plasticizers, oils, fats, waxes and the various emulsions of such materials. Under certain conditions, other adhesive materials such as starches, dextrins, gums and casein may be used in conjunction with animal hide glues.
Animal hide glues possess a wide margin of safety factor, due to inherent strength and elasticity -- a strength and freedom from brittleness far in excess of commercial requirements.
Animal hide glue films may be made extremely moisture resistant by suitable practical methods where such a property is desired.
Animal hide glues may be stored indefinitely without loss in strength, solubility, or other chemical and physical properties, provided the material is not subjected to soaking or wetting by water. Extremes of temperature and/or humidity in normal storage of animal hide glue have no adverse effect on this material.