What is the Best Metal Glue?
There are three main types of adhesive you can use to join metal without welding or using fixings. Epoxy Resin is the best metal glue but you can also use Polyurethane Adhesives or Cyanoacrylate Glue (Super Glue). Bonding metal with glue is not as strong as welding but for most DIY jobs it will achieve the same purpose.
When deciding which metal glue is best you must consider the materials that are being bonded together. Some adhesives will be better suited to small and intricate tasks whereas others are more suitable for larger gluing jobs. Some glues must be blended with other substances to activate adhesive the bonding chemicals or improve strength or flexibility.
Best Metal to Metal Glue
The best adhesive for gluing metal to metal is an epoxy resin like JB Weld which is reinforced with steel. Incredible tensile strength and heat resistance up to 260°C or 500°F make this type of glue perfect for joining metal together.
When JB Weld epoxy resin is being formed it is soft like putty but once it has hardened it becomes amazingly strong and durable. In its solid form, it is waterproof, resistant to corrosive chemicals, and non-toxic which makes it suitable for fixing metal outdoors.
Epoxy glue for metal isn’t the quickest drying adhesive if you’re in a rush. It is advised that you apply ample pressure to the two pieces of metal being joined for the first 60 minutes. Within 4-6 hours it should be set in place and after 24 hours it will be fully set and be ready for service.
With a high tensile strength of 3,960 PSI and impressive heat resistance, you don’t have to worry about it being fragile. You can use JB Weld epoxy resin on all types of metal to create a strong bond that won’t shift.
You can be quite liberal when applying the glue to the metal and then sand it down to tidy it up at the end. You can also drill into epoxy as well as machine it into shape or use a file. To use this method for indoor DIY you can also paint over it to match the decor.
Best Metal to Wood Glue
As metal is a nonporous material and is unable to absorb glue in the same way wood can, you need glue that will stick to both surfaces equally well. In my experience, a polyurethane adhesive is the best glue for metal to wood or wood to metal. Epoxy resin, super glue, and wood glue will also work well for some tasks and specialist use.
Gorilla Original Waterproof Polyurethane Glue is especially suited for wood to metal bonding because it expands up to 3 times into wood for an incredibly strong bond. As well as bonding to wooden fibers, it also sticks very well to different types of metal and creates an unbreakable hold.
Polyurethane adhesive is 100% waterproof and doesn’t degrade over time which means you can use this indoors or outdoors for a multitude of purposes. You must slightly dampen the surfaces with water for the glue to attach itself properly and any metal should be roughened up to increase surface area.
Best Metal to Glass Glue
Whenever you are using adhesive on glass, you have to be aware of the fact that it may be visible once set. For this reason, I recommend using transparent glue like clear epoxy resin or super glue when bonding metal to glass or glass to metal. For more structural jobs, a polyurethane adhesive will provide the best grab and support.
JB-Weld ClearWeld Quick-Setting Epoxy is one of the leading products used for all types of DIY and fixings including adhering metal to glass. You can use this for projects like fixing glass table tops to metal stands or reattaching glass fixtures to metal bases.
The easy to use syringe mixes the epoxy components as you apply them and will form an unbreakable bond within 24 hours. Because epoxy is resistant to temperature and will help absorb impact it makes a great contact adhesive for heavy glass objects that are exposed or constantly being put under pressure.
Best Metal to Concrete Glue
When gluing metal to brick or concrete, I would almost always use a polyurethane construction adhesive or Epoxy Resin. This type of adhesive offers the best grip and protection when joining glass and masonry and is ideal for larger jobs.
Loctite Epoxy Metal/Concrete is specifically designed for the purpose of gluing metal to concrete and has a grey finish so as to be discreet on both metal and concrete. This is perfect for using on railings, posts, awnings, gates, machinery, pipes, and any metal fixings that need to be stuck to concrete.
You can also use this on other materials like wood, glass, tile, ceramic, and plastic without issue and the convenient double syringe mixes the epoxy as you apply it. With a set time of just 5-12 minutes you don’t have to use clamps for hours and have plenty of time to adjust the positioning of the two surfaces.
Best Metal to Plastic Glue
Because two-part epoxy resin will stick to almost any smooth surface it is ideal for gluing metal to plastic. Superglue and polyurethane will also work but with stipulations that may limit what you can use it for. Using epoxy on metal and plastic is safe and non-toxic so you don’t need to worry about any repercussions.
Devcon 62345 Plastic Steel Epoxy is the glue of choice for bonding plastic and metal together. The highly resistant epoxy contains a steel alloy that doesn’t rust and provides incredible structural strength. You can use this on all metals and most plastics including steel, aluminium, brass, copper, iron, and pewter.
Once fully cured you are able to drill, thread, machine, and file the epoxy as you would the metal is applied to which is great for fixing cracks and damaged objects around the home. The overall tensile strength of Devcon Plastic Steel Epoxy is 2500 PSI which means it can withstand a tremendous amount of pressure without cracking or shearing.
Best Metal to Rubber Glue
Unlike plastic, rubber is more flexible and porous which makes a cyanoacrylate adhesive the best option for gluing rubber to metal. Going one step further, I would also recommend using a flexible cyanoacrylate glue that won’t become brittle and crack. Cyanoacrylate, aka super glue, is available in a variety of formulas and has the benefit of being fast drying with powerful bonding properties.
KISS Molecular Super Bond is a cyanoacrylate that is special in that it forms both a rigid and flexible bond that will adapt to both metal and rubber. This is the best metal glue for rubber we have ever used and forms an incredibly strong and long lasting connection to many different surface materials.
This glue was originally designed for the prosthetics industry and works by adapting to the type of material it is being used on. This means that on rubber it remains flexible and on metal it becomes rigid. When bonding rubber and metal together it creates a full spectrum of adhesion and will work on almost any pourus or non pourus combination of surfaces.
How long does metal glue take to set?
Depending on which metal glue you decide to use, the set time can be anywhere from 30 seconds to 6 hours. Super glue is the fastest setting metal glue we can recommend followed by polyurethane. Epoxy resin takes the longest to set but ultimately creates the strongest adhesive bond.
Once the glue is set you can remove any excess pressure but the joint will still be weak. Only after the glue is fully cured will you be able to rely on the bond you have created to be strong.
What is the difference between set time and cure time?
Set time is the timeframe you have from mixing or applying the metal glue to having it set hard and in position. The cure time of metal glue is calculated from the time of application or mixing to the point at which the adhesive has reached its full stability and strength.
Set time for polyurethane and super glue is defined by the time it takes for the glue to dry from the time of application. Set time for epoxy resin is determined from the time that the two parts are mixed together to the time that it sets hard.
What can metal glue be used for?
You can use metal glue to stick two pieces of metal back together or to bond metal to other materials like glass, wood, plastic, or concrete. Metal glue is stronger than other adhesives and can have higher thermal resistance to make it suitable for all intensive purposes. Whether you are fixing up your car or starting a new DIY project in the house, metal glue is a universally helpful adhesive to keep in your toolbox.
When you need to join two bits of metal together or stick metal to wood but can’t use screws, nails, or bolts, strong adhesives have a role to play. I wrote this guide to help you get the best metal glue with the strongest holding power. I hope it helped.
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