With a wide range of NEXTITE Methacrylate Adhesives available, identifying the right product can be a challenge. We have created this guide to help you understand methacrylate adhesives and choose the most suitable adhesive for your application. We are updating it regularly to include all of our methacrylate adhesives. For a PDF copy to keep around the workshop download it here. (Available Soon).
What are methacrylate adhesives?
Methyl Methacrylate Adhesives (also known as MMAs or Acrylic Adhesives) are two part reactive structural adhesives designed for demanding applications that require high strength and toughness. They are designed to bond a wide variety of materials including thermoplastics, metals and composites with minimal surface preparation.
The adhesive consists of a resin and an activator (or hardener), which chemically cures at room temperature when mixed together. Our MMAs are formulated with modifiers that improve flexibility and act as a strengthening agent. These modifiers greatly improve NEXTITE Methacrylate Adhesives overall tensile and shear strength as well as its resistance to peeling and impact damage.
A huge advantage of methacrylate adhesives is their ability to quickly reach handling or working strength at room temperature. As well as reaching handling strength quickly they continue to build strength rapidly without the need for heat curing, ovens or extended clamp times. This allows the part to be moved, machined or further assembled sooner, improving efficiency and reducing downtime.
Comparison Table
What the series numbers mean.
AB200 Series – High Strength
The AB200 Series focuses on high strength methacrylate adhesives designed for maximum load bearing performance and rigid structural bonds. These products have the highest shear and tensile strengths.
AB400 Series – High Toughness
The AB400 Series focuses on high toughness methacrylate adhesives that offer increased elongation, fatigue resistance and impact resistance. Compared to high strength variants these adhesives absorb shock and movement better.
AB500 Series – Thixotropic, High Toughness
The AB500 Series combines high toughness with thixotropic, high viscosity formulations. These adhesives are generally slower curing, allowing for more working time. They are ideal where toughness and gap filling is required.
AB800 Series – Primer-less Metal Bonding
The AB800 Series focuses on primer-less metal bonding, delivering true structural strength on metals without the need for applying primer or extensive surface preparation. This simplifies application and improves workflow in production environments.
How to choose the right methacrylate adhesive?
Methacrylate Series or Main Purpose
When selecting the right methacrylate adhesive, start by identifying the primary requirement of the application. Each NEXTITE methacrylate adhesive is designed with a specific main purpose in mind, whether that is high strength, high toughness, thixotropic, primer-less metal bonding, or specialised substrate compatibility. To simplify selection products are grouped into clear series, making it easy to distinguish between formulations and quickly narrow down the most suitable option for the job.
Working and Fixture Time
Working time and fixture time are critical factors in choosing the correct adhesive. Working time determines how long the adhesive remains usable after mixing, while fixture time defines how quickly the bonded parts reach handling strength. Different applications require different balances, from fast fixture for high speed production to longer open times for complex assemblies or large parts. Although products within the same series share similar performance characteristics (this is not a blanket rule), the key difference between them is often cure speed, allowing you to select the same adhesive chemistry with a varying working and fixture time that best suits your process and workflow.
Why are there so many options?
Different application requirements
Methacrylate Adhesives are used across a vast range of industries, materials and applications. Every job has a unique requirement, and no two bonding challenges are exactly alike although many do cross over. That’s why methacrylate adhesives have been formulated in a variety of grades and performance profiles to meet specific needs, whether it’s high strength, flexibility or specialised material compatibility.
Different Methacrylate Series
There are methacrylate adhesives designed for maximum strength, modified formulations for high toughness, thixotropic (high viscosity) grades for gap filling and vertical applications and adhesives that structurally bond metals without the need for primers. Additionally, specialised bonders are available for challenging substrates such as polyolefins, polyamides and galvanised steel, ensuring reliable performance across diverse applications.
Different working times/ fixture times per series
Each adhesive series offers multiple working times available to suit different operational needs. While the core chemistry of each series remains similar, the variations in cure speed allows users to select an adhesive that aligns with their specific assembly speed and environmental conditions. This flexibility ensures predictable results across all jobs.
Different neutral colours are available
Many of our methacrylates are available in a range of neutral colours such as white, black, grey and beige. This allows adhesives to aesthetically blend with the materials being bonded. Colour options provide added versatility without compromising performance.
Key Benefits of Methacrylate Adhesives
Methacrylate adhesives are becoming increasingly popular across various industries due to their versatility, strength and reliability. These adhesives offer a combination of performance, ease of use and adaptability that makes them the ideal choice for many applications. Here are some of the main reasons they are becoming a go-to solution for structural bonding challenges.
Fast Cure at Room Temperature
Methacrylate adhesives are designed to achieve handling or working strength (fixture time) quickly at ambient temperatures. This eliminates the need for heat curing, ovens or long clamp times. This allows for the parts to be moved, assembled or processed further in a much shorter timeframe. The fast and predictable cure helps reduce production bottlenecks and improves overall manufacturing efficiency, especially in high output or repair environments. It is worth noting that there are also long and extra-long cure variants allowing users with more time to position and set parts.
High Strength and Toughness
Once cured, methacrylate adhesives provide a combination of high shear strength and excellent toughness. They are able to absorb impact, vibration and dynamic loads far better than many rigid adhesives. This balance of strength and flexibility makes them well suited for structural bonding applications where durability and long term performance are critical.
Surface Contamination is not an issue
One of the standout advantages of methacrylate adhesives is their tolerance to less than perfect surface preparation. They can bond effectively through light oils, greases and other common surface contaminants that would normally compromise adhesive performance. This reduces the need for aggressive cleaning or abrasion and simplifies the bonding process in real world conditions.
Very Versatile
Methacrylates are extremely adaptable and can be used across a wide range of industries and applications. They perform well in bonding, assembly and repair applications from production line manufacturing to onsite maintenance. Their ability to bond dissimilar substrates with minimal preparation makes them a practical solution in many scenarios.
Wide Variety of Materials
NEXTITE Methacrylate adhesives are capable of bonding a broad range of substrates including thermoplastics, metals and composites. This makes them an excellent choice for joining mixed material assemblies where mechanical fastening or traditional adhesives may fall short.
Multiple Variations available for different applications
Methacrylate adhesives are available in many formulations to suit specific needs, including different working times, viscosities, gap fill capacity and performance characteristics. This allows users to select a product optimized for their exact application.
Some disadvantages of MMAs
These are some things to think about when considering using methacrylate adhesives.
Strong Odour
Methacrylates are known for their strong and distinctive odour, which can be unpleasant in enclosed or poorly ventilated areas. While the smell does not affect performance, it does require consideration of ventilation and worker comfort, particularly in indoor manufacturing environments.
Lower temperature resistance compared to Epoxies
While methacrylate adhesives perform well across a broad temperature range, they generally do not match the high temperature resistance of epoxy systems. For applications involving prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures, epoxies may be a more suitable choice depending on the requirements.
High Exotherm
During cure, methacrylate adhesives can generate a significant amount of heat particularly in large bond lines. This exothermic reaction can affect surrounding materials or cause surface distortion if not managed correctly. Proper adhesive selection and working within the outlined gap filling constraints will help greatly minimise this effect.
Methacrylate Adhesives vs Other Technologies
When selecting a bonding solution, it is important to understand how methacrylate adhesives compare to other common joining methods. Methacrylates offer a unique balance of strength, toughness, speed and ease of use that often makes them the preferred choice across a wide range of applications.
MMA vs Epoxies
Compared to epoxies, methacrylate adhesives provide greater flexibility and toughness, resulting in bonds that are far less brittle and more resistant to impact, vibration and fatigue. They are also more forgiving in real world use, tolerating minor mix ratio inaccuracies and less than perfect surface preparation. Methacrylates can cure very quickly or slowly depending on the formulation and bond a broader range of materials. Although epoxies are generally higher strength, more chemical resistant and have higher temperature resistance.
MMA vs Polyurethane
Methacrylate adhesives deliver higher bond strength across a wider range of substrates. While polyurethanes offer good impact resistance and flexibility, MMAs cure faster and are less sensitive to moisture and surface contamination. Both technologies provide strong environmental resistance, but methacrylates offer superior long term durability and typically require no primers and minimal surface preparation, making them more efficient in demanding applications. In addition, methacrylates avoid many of the health concerns commonly associated with polyurethane systems.
MMA vs Mechanical Fasteners
Unlike mechanical fasteners, methacrylate adhesives create strong, continuous bonds that distribute the stress evenly across the entire joint. This eliminates issues such as loosening, fatigue or point load failure over time. Adhesive bonding also reduces labour costs, lowers overall assembly weight, prevents corrosion, fills gaps easily and delivers a cleaner, more professional finish without drilling or secondary fittings.
MMA vs Welding
Methacrylate adhesives provide a cost effective alternative to welding, requiring no heat, specialist equipment or post finishing. They easily bond dissimilar materials, reduce labour costs and increase productivity while eliminating the risk of heat distortion or corrosion. MMAs also allow bonding in hard to reach areas and produce a clean, consistent finish, making them an efficient and versatile solution for modern manufacturing and repair applications.
The graph above illustrates how methacrylate adhesives strike a balance between the high strength of epoxies and the flexibility of polyurethanes. They combine the best features of both, offering strong, durable bonds with excellent impact resistance and elongation.
Substrates Bonded
Methacrylate Adhesives are very versatile and can bond a variety of substrates, we have listed some below.
- Thermoplastics: ABS, ASA, PC, PVC, Acrylics (PMMA)
- Metals: Aluminium, Cold Rolled Steel, Stainless Steel, Powder Coat, E-Coat
- Composites: Gel Coats, Fibreglass, Carbon Fibre, RTM, SMC
- Other Notable: Magnets, Glass, Wood, Elastomers (Rubber)
- Specialised Bonders: Polyolefins (PP, PE and PTFE + More), Polyamides and Galvanised Steel
Key Terms Explained
Working Time or Handling Time
Working time refers to the period after the adhesive components are mixed during which the material remains usable. During this time the adhesive can be dispensed, applied and the parts positioned correctly before the cure reaction progresses too far. Selecting the appropriate working time is important, as shorter working times suit high speed production, while longer working times are better for large assemblies or complex part alignment.
Fixture Time or Working Strength
Fixture time is the time required for the bonded parts to reach handling strength. At this point the assembly can typically be unclamped or carefully moved without disturbing the bond. Fixture time does not indicate full cure, but rather the point at which the joint has developed sufficient strength to continue the manufacturing or assembly process.
Viscosity
Viscosity describes the flow characteristics of the adhesive. Lower viscosity formulations flow more easily while higher viscosity or thixotropic adhesives are designed to stay where applied, resist sagging and bridge gaps. Selecting the correct viscosity helps maintain bond line control, ensures proper surface contact, and delivers consistent performance, particularly on vertical or uneven substrates.
Mix Ratio
Mix ratio defines the required proportion of resin to hardener needed to achieve optimal cure and performance. Our methacrylate adhesive formulations come in 1:1 and 10:1 mix ratios. These require different equipment and nozzles and cannot be interchanged.
Gap Fill
Gap fill refers to an adhesive’s ability to bridge and bond uneven surfaces or larger bond line thicknesses without compromising strength. Methacrylate adhesives are particularly effective at gap filling, allowing them to bond parts with poor fit up or surface irregularities. It is important to follow the TDS guidelines as going too thick will cause high exothermic temperatures and potential adhesive blow outs from the high temperature.
Application Tips
Use the right equipment
Methacrylates are best applied using a compatible dispenser and a static mixing nozzle to ensure correct mix ratio and consistent flow of adhesive. Proper dispensing equipment reduces waste, minimises risk of unmixed material and improves quality standards of application.
Using NEXTITE PROPREP Surface Preparation Cleaner
For optimal results, it is recommended to use NEXTITE PROPREP Surface Preparation Cleaner prior to bonding. This cleaner effectively removes surface contaminants such as oils, dirt, grease and adhesive residue. Proper surface preparation helps ensure good adhesion and long term bond durability.
Using NEXTITE SP120 Metal MMA Primer
When true structural strength to metals is required, NEXTITE SP120 Metal MMA Primer is recommended to maximise bond strength and reliability. The primer promotes improved surface activation on metals, resulting in a stronger cure. For a primer-less structural solution consider using our AB800 Series Methacrylates.
Temperature Effect
For repeatable results, apply adhesive at temperatures around 25°C. Lower temperatures will slow cure and extend fixture time, while higher temperatures will accelerate cure and reduce working time. Depending on your application environment selecting a methacrylate adhesive with a shorter or longer cure profile may be necessary to achieve optimal handling and performance.
Apply within Specified Gap Fill
Always apply within the specified gap fill range for the product. Exceeding the recommended gap can generate excessive exotherm, leading to blow outs, witness marks and potential bond failure.
Related Product Links
Cleaners and Primers
NEXTITE PROPREP Surface Preparation Cleaner | NEXTITE SP120 MMA Metal Primer
Dual Component Mixing Guns
1:1 50mL | 10:1 50mL | 1:1 400mL | 10:1 250mL | 10:1 490mL
Static Mixing Nozzles
1:1 50mL | 10:1 50mL | 1:1 400mL | 10:1 (250 and 490mL)
Need Help Choosing?
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