What is the best adhesive technology for bonding metal, glass and plastic?

In the industrial world, choosing the right adhesive is strategic: it determines the performance, durability and sometimes even the safety of the assembly. Metals, plastics, composites or even glass: each material requires a specific bonding technology.

At Samaro, we have been supporting manufacturers for over 50 years by offering a comprehensive range of structural and technical adhesives, distributed in partnership with leading brands such as Huntsman Araldite® and Permabond®. Our expertise is based on in-depth knowledge of applications, materials and industrial environments, enabling us to guide you towards the most reliable solution.

Single-part epoxy

Permabond® single-part epoxy adhesives are the solution of choice for demanding metal assemblies. Thanks to their thermal curing, they offer high mechanical shear strength (up to 41 N/mm² on steel), excellent chemical and thermal resistance, and high impact and peel resistance.
With iconic products such as Permabond® ES578, this technology is a credible alternative to welding, capable of ensuring the durability and safety of structural assemblies.

Epoxy adhesives: the benchmark in mechanical strength

Single-part epoxy (Permabond® ES578)

• • Exceptional mechanical strength: 27 to 41 N/mm² on metal
  • Applications: alternative to welding, structural bonding on steel and alloys.
  •  Advantages: high chemical and thermal resistance (1.3W/m.K), shear and impact resistance (max. 47-41 MPa).
  • New products: the Permabond® single-component range includes low-temperature curing versions. Permabond® ES566 offers very good chemical and thermal resistance, with high shear and peel strength. It provides excellent adhesion to metals, composites and difficult plastics such as nylon and PBT.

Two-part epoxy adhesives: versatility and high performance

Araldite® two-part epoxy adhesives are the benchmark for structural assemblies requiring both mechanical strength and versatility. Unlike single-component adhesives, they cure at room temperature, making them easy to use while ensuring excellent adhesion to a wide variety of substrates: metals, composites, ceramics and certain engineering plastics.

With shear strength generally ranging from 20 to 30 N/mm², these adhesives are also distinguished by their excellent chemical resistance and ability to withstand demanding environmental conditions.

Among the iconic references, Araldite® 2011 and Araldite® 2014-2 are widely used in aerospace, automotive and industrial applications, ensuring the durability and safety of structural assemblies.

Two-part epoxy (Araldite® 2011 / 2014-2)

• Mechanical strength: 20 to 30 N/mm² depending on the substrate (metals, composites, ceramics, engineering plastics).
• Applications: multi-material structural assemblies used in aerospace, automotive, rail and general industry.
• Advantages: polymerisation at room temperature, versatile adhesion, excellent chemical resistance, good shear, impact and fatigue resistance.
• Flagship products: Araldite® 2011, a versatile, flexible and durable two-component product, and Araldite® 2014-2, a reinforced two-component product offering high chemical and thermal resistance, recommended for harsh environments.
• New products: the Araldite® two-component range benefits from NON-CMR reformulations for products such as Araldite®2014-2,
  which are more respectful of user health and comply with regulatory changes, while maintaining the mechanical and chemical performance for which the brand is renowned.

Cyanoacrylate adhesives

Permabond® cyanoacrylate adhesives are distinguished by their instant and reliable bonding, ideal for precision assemblies. Their rapid polymerisation at room temperature allows them to adhere effectively to a wide range of substrates, such as metals, plastics and rubbers.

With a shear strength of up to 30 N/mm² on steel (4400 psi), they guarantee high performance in applications where speed is a key factor. However, unlike epoxy or acrylic adhesives, their impact resistance remains more limited.

A significant advantage of cyanoacrylates is that they are easy to remove: simply treating them with hot water and soap is usually enough to separate the parts, and in some cases, raising the temperature (100–120 °C) can also be used on compatible materials.

Permabond® 910 is a methyl-based cyanoacrylate, renowned for its strength and reliability on metal assemblies.

Permabond® 731, meanwhile, is a reinforced ethyl-based cyanoacrylate, offering greater flexibility and better performance in demanding environments, particularly where mechanical or vibrational stresses are high.

Permabond® 820 completes the range with its version specially designed for high-temperature applications, ensuring strong bonds in harsh thermal environments.

Cyanoacrylates: speed and performance on small surfaces

• Examples: Permabond® 910 (methyl), Permabond® 731 (reinforced ethyl), Permabond® 820 (high temperature).
• Strength: up to 30 N/mm² (4400 psi) on steel.
• Applications: rapid bonding of metals, plastics or rubbers.
• Limitations: less resistant to impact, heat (except high-temperature versions) and polar solvents.
• Practical advantage: easy removal with hot water or heat (100–120 °C).
• New: new water-resistant cyanoacrylate formulations expand the range of applications, such as Born2bond aquafast, which offers better performance in humid environments or those subject to liquid splashes.

Anaerobic adhesives: safety and sealing for metal assemblies

Permabond® anaerobic adhesives are specially designed for metal-to-metal applications. Unlike structural adhesives, their role is not to bond, but to provide mechanical security and sealing for assemblies.

Whether used for thread locking, sealing fittings (bearings, rings, etc.) or sealing threaded connections to prevent liquid or gas leaks, these adhesives have become essential in industrial maintenance and assembly.

Among the flagship products are Permabond® A1042 and Permabond® MH052, which are suitable for the most common bonding and sealing requirements, while the new Permabond® F200 stands out for its modern formulation, offering increased chemical resistance and improved user safety.

Les adhésifs anaérobies : fixation et étanchéité du métal

• Examples: Permabond® A1042 WRAS, Permabond® MH052.
• Resistance: designed to withstand vibrations, mechanical shocks and internal pressures in metal assemblies.
• Applications: thread locking, sealing of fittings (bearings, rings, etc.), sealing of threaded connections to prevent liquid or gas leaks.
• Limitations: exclusively for metal substrates, not suitable for structural bonding.
• Advantages: effectively replaces mechanical seals and lock washers, prevents loosening, improves the durability of assemblies.
• New: Permabond® F200, the latest generation of anaerobic adhesives, offers improved chemical resistance and enhanced safety thanks to a more user-friendly formulation.

Araldite® MMA adhesives: strength and versatility for plastics and composites

Araldite® methacrylate (MMA) adhesives are distinguished by their high mechanical strength, fast curing and ability to bond to a wide variety of materials. Particularly suitable for engineering plastics and reinforced composites, they offer excellent resistance to shock and vibration while requiring little or no surface preparation.

With their high performance, Araldite® 2080-05 and Araldite® 2080-15 are benchmark solutions for the automotive, rail, construction and marine sectors, guaranteeing both robust assemblies and safe use thanks to their modern, low-odour and non-CMR formulations.

MMA adhesives: strength and versatility for plastics and composites

• Key technology: two-component methacrylate (MMA) adhesives.
• Examples: Araldite® 2080 (low odour).
• Advantages: excellent adhesion to engineering plastics, composites and metals; high resistance to impact and vibration; fast curing with little surface preparation; low-odour versions improve operator comfort.
• Applications: structural assemblies of reinforced composites (SMC, HIPS, carbon fibre), bonding of engineering plastics (PVC, PPO, etc.), manufacturing and repair in the automotive, rail, construction and marine sectors.
• New: Araldite® 2081 products benefit from NON-CMR reformulations combined with low-odour technology, offering enhanced safety for users while ensuring the durability and strength of assemblies.

What are the best adhesives for bonding glass?

Adhesives for bonding glass: transparency and performance

Glass bonding requires adhesives that offer mechanical strength, durability and aesthetic discretion. Permabond® UV adhesives perfectly meet these criteria thanks to their rapid polymerisation under UV light, forming transparent, strong and invisible joints.

Among the flagship products, Permabond® UV620 stands out for its excellent shear strength and long-lasting performance in demanding environments, while Permabond® UV6160 combines high mechanical strength with low yellowing, making it the preferred choice for applications requiring long-term transparency.

Glass bonding: the aesthetics and performance of UV

• Key technology: UV-curing adhesives.
• Examples: Permabond® UV620
• Advantages: transparent and invisible joints, resistant to mechanical stress and impact, while offering excellent long-term performance.
• Applications: glass-to-glass or glass-to-metal bonding, ideal for design, optics and all applications where aesthetics are essential.
• New: Permabond® UV6260, designed not only for enhanced durability in humid environments and increased resistance to yellowing, but also to enable the bonding of opaque or treated glass, a significant advance over other traditional UV adhesives.

What are the best adhesives for bonding plastic ?

Adhesives for bonding plastics: adaptability and robustness

Bonding plastics poses a major challenge due to the wide variety of polymers and their often unreactive surface properties. Araldite® and Permabond® adhesives offer tailored solutions thanks to a range of technologies: two-component MMA, cyanoacrylates and UV adhesives for transparent plastics.

With high performance, these adhesives guarantee reliable adhesion, good resistance to shock and vibration, and quick application. Products such as Araldite® 2080 (low-odour MMA), Permabond® 731 (reinforced cyanoacrylate) and Permabond® UV625 demonstrate the ability of these solutions to meet the requirements of sectors such as automotive, electronics and construction.

Plastic bonding: tailored solutions for every type

• Cyanoacrylates Born2bond Aquafast: strong adhesion to most plastics, water resistant, primer recommended for polyolefins and silicones.
• MMA (methyl methacrylate): Araldite® 2080: excellent on PPO, PVC, SMC, HIPS, until substrate failure.
• UV (Permabond® UV649): suitable for transparent plastics.

👉 For each type of plastic, it is crucial to identify the exact material in order to select the most reliable technology.

What are the best adhesives for bonding composite materials ?

Adhesives for bonding composites: reliability and structural performance

Bonding composites requires adhesives that combine high mechanical strength, durability and adaptability to the specific constraints of these materials. The Araldite® ranges offer proven solutions, whether two-component epoxy for maximum structural strength, MMA for speed and versatility, or polyurethanes for applications requiring flexibility and aesthetics.

With benchmark products such as Araldite® AW4858/HW4858, Araldite® 2080/2081 and Araldite® 2015-1, Samaro supports manufacturers in the aerospace, rail, automotive and marine industries, guaranteeing reliable and high-performance assemblies on the most demanding composites.

Composite bonding: structural performance

• Two-component epoxy: Araldite® AW4858/HW4858, strength up to 40 N/mm² on carbon fibre.
• MMA: Araldite® 2080, excellent for reinforced composites.

❓ FAQ – Choosing the right industrial adhesive

🔹Which adhesive should you choose for quick bonding ?

Permabond® cyanoacrylates (e.g. 910, 731, 820, 947) provide instant bonding with a strength of up to 30 N/mm² on steel. New: water-resistant Permabond® provides better performance in humid environments.

🔹Which adhesive is most suitable for glass ?

Permabond® UV adhesives (e.g. UV620, UV639, UV6160) guarantee transparent, invisible and strong bonds. The new Permabond® UV6260 even allows opaque or treated glass to be bonded, a unique advance.

🔹What is the best adhesive for plastics?

• MMA Araldite® 2080/2081 → excellent resistance on engineering plastics and composites, low odour, NON-CMR.
• Permabond® cyanoacrylates → very good adhesion with primer on polyolefins.
• Permabond® UV625 → transparent joints on clear plastics.

🔹Which adhesive is best for composites ?

Araldite® two-part epoxies (AW4858/HW4858) offer strength of up to 40 N/mm² on carbon fibre. Araldite® 2080/2081 MMA are suitable for reinforced composites, and Araldite® 2015-1 PU combine aesthetics with speed.

🔹What are anaerobic adhesives used for ?

Permabond® anaerobic adhesives (e.g. A1042, MH052, new F200) are not intended for structural bonding but for mechanical securing and sealing: thread locking, sealing of joints, sealing of threaded connections.