What are the best plastic to metal adhesives?

Permabond is often asked, “What is the best glue for metal to plastic?”.  It is a tough question – it is like asking what is the BEST flavor of ice cream?

As we discuss here, there are metal adhesives that bond some plastics and plastic adhesives that bond some metals.  The BEST option is dependent on several factors.

But, if you force my hand and I have to choose one type of adhesives – I’ll pick structural acrylic adhesives.  There are several types of structural acrylic adhesives, and not all bond metal to plastic.  Here are my two favorites.

Permabond TA4246 with Initiator 46 is a no-mix adhesive and initiator.  Apply the initiator to the metal and the adhesive to the plastic.  See the high bond strengths attainable below.

• Mild steel: 35 N/mm²  (5100 psi)
• Aluminium: 20-30 N/mm²  (4350 psi)
• Nylon 11 N/mm² (1600 psi)
• Acrylic 9 N/mm² (1300 psi)
• Polycarbonate 19 N/mm²(2750 psi) Substrate Failure
• PVC 19 N/mm² (2750 psi) Substrate Failure
• ABS  12 N/mm²  (1750 psi) Substrate Failure

Permabond TA4610 is a two-component adhesive that bonds metal and super difficult to bond plastics like polyolefins.  In most cases, the bond strength exceeds the strength of the plastic.

• Polypropylene: 8 N/mm² (1200 psi) Substrate Failure
• Polyethylene: 6 N/mm²  (870 psi) Substrate Failure
• Aluminium / PE: 6 N/mm²  (870 psi)
• PTFE: 1.5 N/mm²  (220 psi)
• ABS: >4 N/mm²  (>580 psi) Substrate Failure
• Polycarbonate: >6 N/mm²  (>870 psi) Substrate Failure
• PVC: >5 N/mm²  (>725 psi) Substrate Failure
• Stainless steel to PTFE: 3 N/mm² (435 psi) Substrate Failure

Please use the above as a guide, but to fully understand what is the best glue for metal to plastic, give us a call or send us details about your application.