Adhesive Compatibility Chart (What Glue Sticks to What)

Pick the two materials you are gluing to get the best adhesive, what to avoid, prep steps and cure times, or read the full 15 x 15 chart.

Which glue for these two materials?

Glue this

to that

Best adhesive

Epoxy (5 min or slow set)

For example: J-B Weld, Loctite Epoxy, West System.

Clamp: 1 to 6 h
Full cure: 24 to 72 h
Gap fill: Excellent
Water: Waterproof
Heat: To 250 F
Flexible: No, rigid

Also good: Polyurethane glue, Construction adhesive, MS polymer / hybrid, Cyanoacrylate.

Avoid: PVA wood glue, Solvent cement, UV-cure glue.

Prep:

Metal: Degrease with alcohol, scuff with 120 grit, degrease again
Wood: Sand to fresh wood; joints must be tight for PVA

Save this repair as a project: the glue on your shopping list, the prep checklist and a reminder when it reaches full strength.

Project plan · built from your numbers

Glue metal to wood

Bond metal to wood with epoxy (5 min or slow set) (for example J-B Weld, Loctite Epoxy, West System). Clamp 1 to 6 h; full strength in 24 to 72 h.

Materials: $25
Time: 1 hour plus 24 to 72 h cure
Level: Beginner

6 steps 4 tools 4 materials

1
Identify both materials
Check plastics for a recycling code; codes 2, 4 and 5 (PE, PP) need special treatment.
2
Prep the surfaces
Clean, scuff and degrease so the glue bonds to the material, not to dirt or old finish.
- Metal: Degrease with alcohol, scuff with 120 grit, degrease again
- Wood: Sand to fresh wood; joints must be tight for PVA
3
Dry-fit and plan clamping
Set up clamps or tape before opening the glue. Open time is 5 to 30 min.

01 · Your numbers

Best glue: Epoxy
Clamp: 1 to 6 h
Full cure: 24 to 72 h
Avoid: PVA, SW, UV

02 · The plan

6 steps · 4 tools · 4 materials

3 more steps, the full tool list and a shopping list you can check off as you go.

03 · Finished

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Glue metal to wood

Finished in 1 hour plus 24 to 72 h cure · $25 DIY

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Adhesive compatibility chart: 15 materials

Each cell is the best adhesive for that pair. Green is a strong bond, yellow workable, red means fasten it instead. Tap a cell for the details.

	Wood	Metal	Rigid plastic (PVC, ABS, acrylic)	PE or PP plastic	Rubber	Glass	Ceramic or tile	Stone or concrete	Drywall	Fabric	Leather	Foam board (EPS, XPS)	Paper or cardboard	Vinyl (flexible PVC)	Cork
Wood	PVA	EP	CA	LSE	CT	EP	EP	PU	CC	PVA	PVA	PVA	PVA	E6	PVA
Metal	EP	EP	EP	LSE	CT	EP	EP	EP	MS	CT	CT	MS	CT	MS	EP
Rigid plastic (PVC, ABS, acrylic)	CA	EP	CA	LSE	CA	EP	EP	EP	MS	CT	CT	MS	CT	CA	CT
PE or PP plastic	LSE	LSE	LSE	LSE	LSE	SIL	SIL	MS	MS	HM	E6	MS	HM	LSE	MS
Rubber	CT	CT	CA	LSE	CT	E6	E6	MS	MS	CT	CT	MS	CT	E6	CT
Glass	EP	EP	EP	SIL	E6	EP	EP	EP	MS	E6	E6	EP	EP	E6	EP
Ceramic or tile	EP	EP	EP	SIL	E6	EP	EP	EP	CC	E6	E6	EP	EP	E6	EP
Stone or concrete	PU	EP	EP	MS	MS	EP	EP	EP	CC	PU	E6	MS	EP	MS	EP
Drywall	CC	MS	MS	MS	MS	MS	CC	CC	CC	PVA	PVA	MS	PVA	MS	PVA
Fabric	PVA	CT	CT	HM	CT	E6	E6	PU	PVA	PVA	CT	PVA	PVA	E6	PVA
Leather	PVA	CT	CT	E6	CT	E6	E6	E6	PVA	CT	CT	PVA	PVA	E6	CT
Foam board (EPS, XPS)	PVA	MS	MS	MS	MS	EP	EP	MS	MS	PVA	PVA	MS	PVA	MS	PVA
Paper or cardboard	PVA	CT	CT	HM	CT	EP	EP	EP	PVA	PVA	PVA	PVA	PVA	CT	PVA
Vinyl (flexible PVC)	E6	MS	CA	LSE	E6	E6	E6	MS	MS	E6	E6	MS	CT	E6	CT
Cork	PVA	EP	CT	MS	CT	EP	EP	EP	PVA	PVA	CT	PVA	PVA	CT	PVA

How to read this chart: find one material down the side and the other across the top. The code is the adhesive family, not a brand; the roster below lists examples, cure times and limits. Where two families tie, the chart picks the one easier to use at home. Always prep both surfaces, and check the label for the specific plastic, temperature or outdoor rating you need.

Adhesive types compared

Code	Type	Open time	Clamp	Full cure	Gap fill	Flexible	Water	Max temp	Cleanup
PVA	PVA wood glue (Type I, II, III)Titebond Original, II, III; Elmer's Wood Glue	5 to 10 min	30 to 60 min	24 h	None, needs tight joints	No	Type I waterproof, Type II water-resistant, Type III none	160 F	Water while wet
EP	Epoxy (5 min or slow set)J-B Weld, Loctite Epoxy, West System	5 to 30 min	1 to 6 h	24 to 72 h	Excellent	No	Waterproof	250 F	Acetone while wet
CA	Cyanoacrylate (super glue, thin or gel)Loctite Super Glue Gel, Starbond	Seconds	10 to 60 s	8 to 24 h	Poor (gel slightly better)	No	Water-resistant, weakens in hot water	180 F	Acetone
PU	Polyurethane glueGorilla Glue Original, Titebond Polyurethane	15 to 20 min	1 to 2 h	24 h	Fair, foams to fill	No	Waterproof	200 F	Mineral spirits while wet
CC	Construction adhesiveLoctite PL Premium, Liquid Nails	15 to 30 min	Brace 24 h	3 to 7 days	Excellent	Yes	Most are waterproof once cured	180 F	Mineral spirits while wet
CT	Contact cementDAP Weldwood, Barge	15 to 60 min after tack	Instant on contact, roll it	24 h	None	Yes	Water-resistant	200 F	Solvent or water (by type)
SIL	Silicone adhesive sealantGE Silicone II, DAP 100% Silicone	5 to 10 min	Tape 24 h	24 h per 1/8 in	Good	Yes	Waterproof	400 F	Wipe while wet, scrape when cured
MS	MS polymer / hybridLoctite PL Marine, Sika 221, Bostik Seal N Flex	10 to 20 min	Tape or brace 24 h	24 to 48 h	Excellent	Yes	Waterproof, bonds damp surfaces	200 F	Mineral spirits while wet
HM	Hot melt glueGlue sticks for a hot glue gun	10 to 60 s	Hold 30 s	Minutes	Good	Yes	Water-resistant	140 F	Peel off
SW	Solvent cement (plastic weld)Oatey PVC cement, Weld-On, Testors	Seconds	30 s to 2 min	2 to 24 h	None	No	Waterproof	140 F	Acetone or MEK
UV	UV-cure glueLoctite Glass Glue, Bondic	Until light hits it	Cure with UV light 10 to 60 s	Minutes	Poor	No	Water-resistant	250 F	Acetone before curing
LSE	Low surface energy acrylicLoctite Plastics Bonding System, 3M Scotch-Weld DP8010	2 to 10 min	10 to 30 min	24 h	Fair	No	Waterproof	200 F	Acetone while wet
E6	Industrial craft adhesiveE6000, Amazing Goop	2 to 10 min	24 h	24 to 72 h	Good	Yes	Waterproof	180 F	Acetone while wet

Thread-locking compound is the one adhesive for metal threads; it is not a general glue, so it is not in the chart.

Which plastic is it? Glue by recycling code

1 PET (bottles): epoxy or CA after scuffing.
2 HDPE, 4 LDPE, 5 PP (tubs, bins, buckets, outdoor furniture): low surface energy. Flame-treat or prime, then an LSE kit; or screw, rivet or plastic-weld it.
3 PVC (pipe, trim): PVC solvent cement for pipe, CA or epoxy for repairs. Flexible vinyl needs vinyl cement or a flexible glue.
6 PS (model plastic, foam): plastic cement for solid styrene; foam-safe glue only for foam.
7 Other (ABS, acrylic, polycarbonate): CA, epoxy or the matching solvent cement.

No code? A drop of acetone softens ABS and acrylic but not PE or PP, and PE and PP feel waxy and float in water.

Outdoor, wet and flexible joints

Outdoors and on damp concrete, use glues that cure with moisture and stay tough: polyurethane and MS polymer (the flexible bonding agents used for marine and exterior work). Silicone handles heat and constant water but cannot be painted. PVA must be Type I (Titebond III) for anything that gets wet.

Rubber, vinyl, leather and fabric flex, so the glue has to flex too: contact cement, E6000-type craft adhesive or MS polymer. Rigid epoxy and CA crack out of a flexing joint.

When not to glue

Do not rely on glue alone for structural loads (deck ledgers, railings, shelving brackets), anything overhead, parts under water or gas pressure, or surfaces that touch food unless the product is rated food-safe. Use bolts, screws or brackets, and add glue only to stop squeaks or rattles. The fastener guide and the fastener strength chart cover what to use instead.

Sealing rather than bonding? See the caulk joint guide. Setting tile is a thinset job: tile installation. Gluing trim? Size it with the trim calculator.

Adhesive compatibility FAQ

What glue works on polypropylene?

Almost none. Polypropylene and polyethylene (recycling codes 2, 4 and 5) have a waxy, low-energy surface. Use a low surface energy kit (a primer pen plus a special CA or acrylic), flame-treat the surface first, or fasten it mechanically.

What is the best glue for wood to metal?

Two-part epoxy. Scuff and degrease the metal, sand the wood, and clamp until it sets. For outdoor or flexing joints, an MS polymer adhesive is the tougher choice.

What is the best glue for glass to metal?

Epoxy for strength, silicone where the joint has to flex or take heat, and UV-cure glue when you want an invisible bond line.

Is Gorilla Glue waterproof?

The original polyurethane Gorilla Glue is waterproof once cured. Gorilla Wood Glue is a Type II PVA, which is water-resistant, not waterproof.

What glue for foam board?

A foam-safe construction adhesive, MS polymer or water-based PVA. Solvent glues, contact cement, spray adhesives not labeled foam-safe and super glue melt EPS and XPS.

What does Titebond I vs II vs III mean?

They are PVA wood glues rated for water: Original (I) is interior only, II passes the ANSI Type II water-resistance test for outdoor furniture, and III passes the stricter Type I test and has a longer open time.

What's the strongest glue for metal to metal bonding?

Slow-set two-part epoxy. Degrease with alcohol or acetone, scuff with 120 grit, degrease again, and let it cure a full day before loading.

Can I use super glue on plastic?

On rigid plastics like ABS, acrylic and PVC, yes. Not on polyethylene or polypropylene, and it can fog clear plastics.

What adhesive works on wet or damp surfaces?

Polyurethane glue and MS polymer adhesives cure with moisture, so they bond damp wood and concrete. Most epoxies need a dry surface.

Why did my glue joint fail?

The usual causes: the wrong glue for one of the materials, a dirty or glossy surface, loading the joint before full cure, a rigid glue on a flexing joint, or a gap too wide for the glue.

What's the difference between epoxy and polyurethane glue?

Epoxy is two-part, rigid, gap-filling and strongest on metal, glass and ceramic. Polyurethane is one-part, cures with moisture, foams to fill gaps and suits wood and outdoor work.

How do I remove cured adhesive?

Heat softens epoxy and hot melt; acetone dissolves CA; mineral spirits soften fresh construction adhesive, and cured beads need a scraper or oscillating tool.

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