Glueing on Metal?- What Are Your Options?
When it comes to forming a strong bond, it pays to make sure you have the right adhesive on hand. This is particularly important when working with certain materials, including metal. While you could bolt, solder or weld two metal components together, the cost and time implications involved don’t always meet the needs of a project. The right glue will help you to achieve a strong bond and one that stands up to use in any application.
What Is the Best Metal Glue?
As with any construction job, there is rarely a straightforward answer to these types of questions. Instead, you need to consider the materials you are trying to bond together. The glue needed to keep two pieces of metal connected will vary from that needed to bond metal to porous materials, such as glue or fabrics. There are a variety of options available on the market, including:
- Epoxies.
- Polyurethane-based adhesives.
- Cyanoacrylate-based adhesives (also known as contact adhesives).
While all will help create strong bonds in the right environments, it is important to pair them to the right materials for the best results.
Metal-To-Metal
Achieving a good metal to metal adhesion relies heavily on the preparation stage as well as the final application. You need to ensure that both surfaces are clean and free from any dirt, dust or oil-based products. Create slightly rough surfaces with fine-grit sandpaper which will increase the surface area and, therefore, improve the quality of the bond. Epoxy glues have two parts - an adhesive and hardener - which makes them the best option for metal-to-metal bonds. You could also consider polyurethane glue, such as the Gorilla Glue Waterproof Adhesive, which will dry quickly without becoming brittle.
Metal-To-Rubber
When creating a bond between rigid metal and flexible rubber, you need an adhesive that can accommodate these two variations. A contact adhesive or a cyanoacrylate adhesive is the best choice, such as the 151 Contact Adhesive Glue. With an instant bond and a full-strength bond after 2-4 hours, these types of glues are a versatile addition to your kit.
Metal-To-Plastic
In this situation, you need to consider the type of plastic you’re working with. Some adhesives can cause significant damage to plastic and won’t create a strong enough bond to hold. We recommend epoxies, like the Everbuild Stick 2 Rapid Epoxy which provides an industrial-strength bond within 4 minutes.
Glueing with metal can be challenging but with our wide range of adhesive solutions, you’re sure to find something that works for your next project. If you have any questions or need further support finding the right product, get in contact with our team here today who will be happy to help.