Best adhesive for plastic
Selecting the best adhesive for plastic is rarely straightforward. There is no true one size fits all solution, because plastics behave very differently from one another. The type of plastic being bonded plays a major role, particularly its surface energy, which directly affects how well an adhesive can wet out and form a strong bond. Joint design and available bond area also matter, as do the materials being joined, whether that be plastic to plastic or plastic to a dissimilar substrate such as metals or composites. On top of this, the bonded assembly must be able to withstand its working environment, including exposure to impact loads, vibration, movement, chemicals and temperature changes. All these factors need to be considered together to select an adhesive that will perform reliably in real world conditions.
This page provides an overview of the common plastic bonding adhesive types. Detailed recommendations and product guidance can be found within the material specific sections linked below. For a tailored recommendation to your application contact our expert team.
Click the links below for information on bonding specific plastics
- ABS
- ASA
- Acetal
- Acrylic (PMMA)
- Nylon
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Polypropylene (PP)
- Polyethylene (PE)
- Polyurethane (PU)
- Polystyrene (PS)
- PLA & PLA+
- PTFE
- PVC
- PETG
- PCTG
- TPU
- Silicone
- 3D Resin
If your specific plastic is not listed here, please feel free to contact us our team will be able to assist.
If a link is not active yet, we are working on adding the content for that specific material.
Types of Adhesives Used for Plastic Bonding
There are multiple adhesive technologies suitable for plastics. Which one used depends on the specific material(s) and application requirements.
Methyl Methacrylate (MMA)
Methacrylate adhesives are high strength adhesives capable of bonding difficult to bond plastics. They provide excellent load bearing performance, impact resistance and durability. Methacrylate's also work well with dissimilar material bonding and are widely used in industry manufacturing and repairs.
Instant Adhesives (Cyanoacrylate)
Instant adhesives are fast curing, single component adhesives ideal for many plastics where rapid handling strength is required. They are commonly used for small to medium components where high-speed assembly is necessary.
UV Adhesives
UV adhesives are high clarity adhesives primarily used for bonding transparent plastics. They cure on exposure to ultraviolet light and are ideal for applications requiring precise placement and clean bond lines. Although, UV adhesives require at least one substrate to be UV transmissive to work (except for Hybrid Dual Cure UV Adhesives like NEXTITE UV5305).
Solvent Adhesives
Solvent adhesives bond plastics by chemically softening and fusing the mating surfaces together. They are commonly used for thermoplastics such as Acrylic, ABS, PLA and PVC producing strong joints when properly applied.
Structural Polyurethanes
Structural polyurethane adhesives provide flexible and durable bonds for plastics. They can be exposed to vibration, impact or thermal movement. They are suitable for both plastic to plastic and plastic to metal bonding where toughness and environmental resistance are required.
Epoxy Adhesives
Epoxy adhesives offer high strength, excellent chemical resistance and good thermal stability. While not suitable for all plastics, they are widely used where rigid bonds and long-term durability are critical.
MS Polymer
MS Polymer are single part construction adhesives that allow for long term durability and flexibility. They bond a wide range of plastics and substrates while also providing good resistance to weathering.
How to select the best glue for plastic?
Selecting the best glue for plastic starts with identifying the type of plastic being bonded, as different plastics have very different bonding characteristics. Some plastics are easy to bond, while others have low surface energy and require the use of primers or specialised adhesives. You also need to consider what the plastic is being bonded to, along with joint design and available bond area.
The service environment is just as important as the material itself. Exposure to impact, vibration, movement, chemicals, moisture and temperature changes will all affect adhesive performance. Proper surface preparation is critical. By assessing these factors together you can select the correct adhesive that provides reliable, long term performance.
Determining the Plastic Type
The easiest way to determine which plastic you have in-front of you is by checking the recycling logo. While not all plastics are marked, the symbol can quickly narrow down the material and help guide adhesive selection.
- PETE / PET - Polyethylene Terephthalate
- HDPE - High Density Polyethylene
- V / PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride
- LDPE - Low Density Polyethylene
- PP - Polypropylene
- PS - Polystyrene
- Other - Catch all that don't fit in categories
What if there's no stamp?
If there is no recycling stamp you will need additional identification via documentation, visual characteristics or simple testing rather than relying on markings. Industrial and fabricated plastics commonly have no stamp. Feel free to contact us we can help you figure out what the plastic is in most cases.
Surface Preparation Best Practices
Proper surface preparation is essential for achieving a reliable bond on plastics. In most cases, a simple solvent wipe is best practice, as it removes oils, dust and handling contaminants that can prevent a good bond. We recommend using NEXTITE PROPREP Surface Preparation Cleaner as it is fast evaporating and non harmful to delicate surfaces.
Some plastics are more difficult to bond and may require additional steps. Low surface energy plastics will only work with the use of primers or specially formulated adhesives designed to improve adhesion. Identifying these materials early helps ensure the correct preparation method is used and avoids premature bond failure.
Professional Adhesive Solutions for Plastic Applications
NEXTITE Adhesives are designed to meet the demands of industrial, trade and manufacturing environments. Selecting the correct adhesive system ensures long term performance.
For detailed guidance and material specific plastic bonding pages explore the links above.
Our team is always ready to help. Contact us to get expert advice on selecting the right adhesive for your materials and application.