ABS plastics are notoriously hard to bond; if you’re using the wrong glue, it’s almost impossible to bond this material. The glue just won’t adhere properly, which defeats the purpose of glue.

In this article, I’ll discuss the best adhesive for ABS plastic, how to use them, and a buying guide for ideal ABS glues.

Because ABS plastics have a particular molecular and surface structure, only certain glues can bond them.

The bond may appear solid initially, but its lifespan is greatly reduced. The smallest shock or impact may destroy the bond.

Below, you’ll find a detailed description of ABS plastic glues, my top 5 picks, and what to look for in ABS plastic adhesives!

Types of Glue for ABS Plastic

You may not know this, but ABS plastics are a unique material with a particular molecular structure. Most adhesives won’t work with it.

Some glues will work better than others, in other words. Let’s see what glues you should have on hand when working with ABS plastics:

• Cyanoacrylates – Super glues, technically known as cyanoacrylates, are the best adhesives for bonding ABS plastic. The near-instant bond formation will lock the ABS plastic into place without harming its structure, and the long-term resilience is guaranteed.
• 2-Part Epoxies – ABS epoxy glues are specifically made to bond ABS plastic into place. While they offer a strong tensile strength, working with them is a hassle because they tend to create a mess. The drying and curing times are also long, so you’ll need to clamp the materials for complete curing.
• UV-Curable Adhesives – This type of glue needs clamping and will take a long time to dry and cure. It also needs constant access to UV light (sunlight or an artificial source) to harden completely. However, these adhesives are very robust and provide superb tensile strength.
• Polyurethanes – After curing completely, polyurethane glue is waterproof, heat-proof, and solvent-proof. Despite its high tensile strength, a polyurethane adhesive needs clamping, and it takes a while to dry and cure fully.

Depending on the adhesive you’re using, you may need to prepare the ABS plastic beforehand. Some adhesives need you to sand down the material, while others don’t need any preparation – apply the glue and clamp it down.

However, regardless of the adhesive used, I recommend taking precautions before applying it.

Best Glues for ABS Plastic

Here are our recommendations for the best glue for ABS plastic.

1. Loctite Super Glue Plastics Bonding System with Activator

Loctite adhesives are a popular bunch, with this particular one being a strong competitor on the market.

This super glue is affordable and extremely strong, specifically made to bond ABS plastics and ABS cement (polystyrene cement, PVC cement, contact cement, solvent cement, and more).

As a bonding glue and ABS sealant, Loctite Super Glue uses the activator to prepare the surface for the gluing process.

Then, it applies a bonding agent to create a rigid and long-living bond that successfully resists most external hazards.

Loctite Super Glue is non-toxic, doesn’t emit fumes, is easy to use, and doesn’t make a mess.

This adhesive is great for ABS plastic, such as an ABS pipe. However, the tube may dry quickly if left unused.

Moreover, the glue will dry very quickly after application, so make sure you don’t make any mistakes while applying it. It’ll be harder to start all over again.

2. Oatey All-Purpose Cement Low Voc

Oatey products have caught the public’s attention for over a decade, and they’re still releasing high-quality products.

Oatey All-Purpose Cement Low Voc is a waterproof and resilient adhesive that can be used on any plastic, including ABS and PVC (including PVC pipe).

Check out my guide on PVC plastic pipe glues for more info.

After application, it dries quickly and forms a near-instant bond that should resist high temperatures, water, solvents, and other hazards.

It may take up to an hour for the bond to become immovable, but the curing process may require up to a day to finish.

Fortunately, Oatey Cement Low Voc glue is affordable and comes in a large quantity. However, it may be messy plastic glue to work with, so be careful.

It’ll also dry quickly if you leave it in the open. I recommend using it as soon as possible rather than risking losing it.

Lastly, it’s fairly easy to accidentally glue the lid shut, stopping you from opening the recipient again. I recommend extra caution if you don’t want to shut yourself out of a good ABS plastic glue!

3. GUGUYeah UV Light Glue Kit Clear Adhesive Liquid Plastic Welder

Not many have heard about this brand, but it constantly surprised me with its UV-dependent glue.

If kept in sunlight, GUGUYeah Liquid Plastic Welder creates a super-strong bond that will keep ABS plastic stuck together for years.

It’s also one of the most cost-effective adhesives on the market. With just a fraction of the price of other glues, GUGUYeah glue brings insane tensile strength to most plastics.

The package also includes UV light to make the application easier.

While it may take a long while to cure and the emanated smell is bad, GUGUYeah adhesive makes up for it with a strong bond and good resilience against hazards.

The UV light has bad-quality batteries that will deplete pretty fast, though!

It’s one of the best UV glues around.

4. Pratley Powda Bond Adhesive Powder Filler Repair Kit

If you need a different type of adhesive that works differently, Pratley Powda is your best choice. This is a powder and liquid-based ABS glue that creates a super-strong bond.

It’ll resist huge amounts of shock and impact before being destroyed.

Most likely, nothing should degrade this ABS glue because the amount of shock needed to do that is substantial. For this reason, Pratley Powda works on large-scale repairs and construction applications.

Thanks to its expansive bond, it can be used to fill up gaps and cracks. After drying out, the bond can be hammered, nailed, drilled, sanded, painted, and tapped without worries.

Pratley Powda is heat-resistant, as it can resist temperatures up to 190 degrees.

For ABS bonds, Pratley Powda is one of the best adhesives out there, thanks to its high durability, versatility, and high power.

However, it can be very messy, thanks to the runny texture, so you’ll need to apply it carefully to avoid messing.

It will also take longer to dry in cold weather, but this isn’t uncommon among adhesives.

Pratley Powda is also suitable for gluing vinyl.

5. J-B Weld 50139 Plastic Bonder Body Panel Adhesive and Gap Filler Syringe

J-B Weld claims to be the most powerful adhesive in the world. Whether that’s true or not remains to be seen. This adhesive is super strong, a super glue that can bond, fill gaps, and deal with other common household issues.

It has a multipart and multipurpose urethane adhesive and gap-filling system that work great in tandem.

JB Weld Plastic Bonder works on several materials, including ceramic, aluminum, ABS plastic, other ABS material, fiberglass, and more.

You can get it in many colors, including black and white, making it perfect for any arts and craft project. After application, the glue takes 15 minutes to set fully.

The curing process will take longer, but J-B Weld is already stabilized and set strongly after it dries out.

The white variant of the glue may be yellow after a few years, so bear that in mind!

Buying Guide

When looking for ABS plastic glues, you should remember a few things. Some aspects are more important than others.

That’s because not all glues can bond ABS plastic. Primarily, you should search for a strong glue that’s good for both the short and long term.

ABS glues are permanent and will last a long while, thanks to the interlocking bond that they form. Then, there’s the drying time of the adhesive.

Most ABS glues should set and dry quite quickly. Even if it takes a few minutes and the glue is still a bit flexible during this time, it won’t require any clamping.

Interestingly, great ABS glues are also compatible with other materials besides plastic.

However, the adhesive isn’t good for other materials if the bond is moldable and very flexible after application.

Many ABS glues also work on PVC and other types of plastic, but you’ll need to check the label to be sure. That’s because some adhesives are specifically made for PVA and won’t work on anything else.

Moreover, some ABS glues are great for general repairs, hole filling, and as a bridge for gaps. After application, if there’s too much glue on the material, sand it down, and you’re all set!

I recommend checking the label and using instructions to ensure that your ABS adhesive works on other materials.

That should clarify this issue. Trying to glue ABS plastic to fiberglass, wood, or metal isn’t a fun journey if you’re using the wrong glue, after all.

Many ABS types of glue don’t work on all porous and non-porous materials. Trying to force it will lead to weak bonds that degrade over time.

The glue may not even set completely. Follow the instructions always, and you should be fine, though.

Some ABS glues require a multi-step process and some preparation beforehand. Maybe you need to sand or clean the materials before bonding them.

Various brands have their application techniques with specific requirements. Not following them may lead to weak and short-lasting bonds.

Wrap Up

Finding a good glue for bonding ABS plastics together isn’t hard or expensive. Many high-quality ABS types of glue are affordable and cost-effective.

The effectiveness is vastly improved with a large amount of solution at your disposal and high tensile strength for every drop of glue.

My top pick is still Loctite Super Glue Plastics Bonding System with Activator due to its multipurpose functionality, superb tensile strength, and long-lasting bond.

It boasts high resistances to most hazards, including water, heat, solvents, acids, etc. Moreover, it’s a non-toxic glue that’s fairly easy to use!