Aluminum is similar. Aluminum is similar. Working with metal is much harder than working with materials like wood or plastic. You need a high-adherence glue suitable for smooth surfaces.

But any regular metal glue won’t fit the bill. In this article, I will list the best aluminum glues for different projects so you won’t have to second-guess them anymore.

Not all metals have the same properties. Aluminum is a lightweight, low-density metal but is also strong, elastic, and pressure resistant.

Due to its qualities, aluminum is used for many applications. The same glue that works on iron might not work on aluminum, and the same aluminum glue might not work for different applications.

This is just one of the great options included in this article. Keep reading to learn more!

Suitable Glues for Aluminum

Many products are on the market, but not all are suited for aluminum. This list narrows it down to only the best options.

Each of these glues has its pros and cons. The choice will depend on what type of bond and results you need.

Cyanoacrylate

Cyanoacrylate, better known under the commercial name “Super Glue,” is among the best glues for aluminum. This type of aluminum instant adhesive bonds almost any material in seconds.

It has a short curing time, and the super glue is usually clear and subtle.

It forms powerful, permanent bonds with high tensile strength, and it also has shock and vibration resistance.

Not only can cyanoacrylate super glue bind aluminum to aluminum, but it’s also good for gluing metal to other metals and many other materials, including wood, fiberglass, ceramic, tile, rubber, fabric, plastic, veneer, magnets, liquid nails, any metal surface, welding and more.

Check out my guides on the best glues for magnets and the best glues for rubber for more info on the above.

Epoxy glues

Epoxies are the go-to choice for working with metal. These glues are highly adherent even to smooth surfaces.

Aluminum epoxy forms unbreakable bonds and has amazing tensile strength even when compared to other stress-resistant glues. As a result, they work well even for heavy-weight materials and bigger applications.

They’re a bit difficult to work with, however. Epoxies take a longer time to cure completely when compared to other glues.

Epoxy glue also requires thorough mixing to work properly. So, things get messy rather quickly when measuring quantities, mixing the glue components, and transferring them onto the work materials.

Adhesives

Adhesives work quickly and are compatible with many materials, aluminum included. But what makes them popular is their high versatility. Depending on your needs, you can find adhesives in any formulation.

Whether you want a colorless, tinted, rigid, flexible, heat-resistant, or chemical-resistant adhesive, you’ll find it.

However, adhesives aren’t a great choice if you need impact resistance or are working on heavy-weight applications. Adhesives form weaker bonds compared to other types of glues.

Structural acrylics

Structural acrylics are resin-based adhesives with high adherence and an incredibly strong hold. This type of glue is highly versatile, as it works equally well to bind multiple types of materials, including non-porous ones such as aluminum and other metals, glass, and composite.

When dry, structural acrylics become highly resistant to impact, heat, and chemicals. This type of glue can be waterproof and weather resistant, but that’s not a general rule. It all depends on the formulation.

Best 7 Glues for Aluminum

Read below my recommendations for the best glue for aluminum.

1. J-B Weld 8281 Professional Size Steel Reinforced Epoxy

This is a two-part, steel-reinforced epoxy with incredible hold and high environmental resistance.

When fully cured, this glue can withstand pressures of up to 5020 PSI and temperatures up to 550°F. It’s also chemical and water-resistant, being suitable for various applications.

You can rely on this powerful glue for household and marine repairs, crafts, plumbing, and more. The glue is compatible with a wide range of materials.

You can use it to bond aluminum and other metals, plastic, PVC, fiberglass, ceramic tile, brick, concrete, and wood.

You can read more about the above in my guide on the best glues for glass to metal.

The product lasts 4-6 hours and takes around 15-24 hours to cure fully. Once cured, you can sand, paint, or drill it without destroying the bond.

However, keep in mind that this glue dries a dark grey color. Unless you intend to paint it, you might want to avoid using this for a visible aluminum surface.

You’ll have to wear protective gear when using this product, especially if you’re sensitive to harsh chemicals.

This glue could lead to eye and skin irritation, allergic reactions, and organ damage through repeated exposure. This glue is also toxic to aquatic life.

2. 3M Marine Adhesive Sealant

This glue is a powerful sealant designed for RV and boat repairs. Thanks to its immense tensile strength, 3M Marine Adhesive Sealant can bond aluminum and is also good for bonding metal.

Once it dries and cures, this adhesive is waterproof and resilient to external shocks and other hazards.

I recommend this glue for marine applications, thanks to the waterproof concept. Applying it requires no mixing, and the process is not complicated.

If anything, even without any preparations, you can apply it instantly. Though, the curing process will take about 7 days to finish.

Based on a polyurethane polymer, 3M Marine Adhesive Sealant has high resistance to saltwater and weather.

However, the glue will degrade quickly if kept in sunlight for extended periods. Still, it’s an excellent adhesive for heavy-duty applications.

This product is also great if you use glue for stainless steel.

3. Hy-Poxy H-450 Alumbond

When you want to bond aluminum and other metals, Hy-Poxy Alumbond is a great choice. This adhesive is a 2-part epoxy that contains aluminum particles, and you’ll need to mix a 1:1 ratio of epoxy resin and hardener before application.

Even though you’ll need to mix by hand, Hy-Poxy H-450 Alumbond hardens to an extreme degree once it dries and cures. The tensile strength necessary to keep metals together is very high.

This adhesive can easily hold HVACs, engine blocks, boat hulls, and heavy-duty appliances together.

What’s great about this adhesive is that once cured, you can easily tap, sand, drill through, and paint over it. Despite this, Hy-Poxy Alumbond only works on metals. Its efficiency on other materials is greatly reduced.

It’s one of the best epoxy aluminum glues around.

4. Permatex Permapoxy

Permatex Permapoxy is an excellent adhesive that works on chrome, copper, brass, steel, aluminum, iron, and more.

Its high tensile strength and fast curing time make it perfect for crack filings and general repairs. It can create a very tight bond between two metals in minutes.

There’s no clamping required either. In 15 minutes after application, the bond will solidify and cure, leaving behind an adhesive with a tensile strength of 4500 pounds.

As for the applicator, Permatex Permapoxy has a syringe dispenser that releases equal parts of the hardener and resin.

You won’t have to measure anything, in other words. Instead, you’ll need to do some mixing before applying the glue.

Once it cures fully, the glue is heat-resistant and, to a degree, waterproof. You can also paint, thread, drill, tap, and sand the adhesive once dry.

5. Loctite Epoxy Weld Bonding Compound

Resistant to chemicals and producing a super-strong bond, Loctite Epoxy Weld Bonding Compound works on most metals, including iron, copper, bronze, brass, aluminum, steel, and more.

It’s an excellent choice for bonding aluminum.

You’ll need to mix it in equal parts of epoxy resin and hardener, but once applied, the bond hardens to an extreme degree.

This adhesive is great for arts and crafts, small and large repairs, filling cracks, and more. Moreover, you can paint, drill, and sand the adhesive once it finishes curing.

Loctite Epoxy is also resistant to gasoline, diesel, motor oil, and anti-freeze substances.

However, the glue has low moisture resistance and temperature resistance. Due to its non-shrinking nature, Loctite Epoxy Weld Bonding Compound will fill up holes and cracks very efficiently.

It’s an excellent product if you ever need to use glue for rubber to metal.

6. J-B Weld 8276 KwikWeld Reinforced Epoxy

One of the strongest adhesives on this list, J-B Weld Reinforced Epoxy boasts a tensile strength of 3,000 pounds.

It’s also highly resistant to heat and great temperatures but is not 100% waterproof. Still, the glue is resistant to water to a certain degree.

You can use J-B Weld 8276 Reinforced Epoxy for small and large repairs and DIY projects, and it works on many materials, including concrete, metals, wood, tiles, and more.

Check out my guide on glue for concrete for more tips.

Once applied, the adhesive will be set up in a matter of minutes, and the curing time is 6 hours. You will need to mix it first since it’s a 2-part epoxy.

It may get messy because of this, but with enough patience, you’ll finish the mixing fairly quickly. Once the resin and hardener unite, the glue can easily bond most metals, including aluminum.

7. J-B Weld 8272 MarineWeld Marine Epoxy

The last item on this list is a 2-part epoxy with one part resin and one part hardener that you’ll need to mix.

Things may get messy during the mixing, and the curing process is lengthy, but the resulting bond is incredibly strong.

The tensile strength of J-B Weld Marine Epoxy is at 5,000 PSI.

With the 100% waterproof concept and high-temperature resistance (up to 300 Celsius), this adhesive is great for aluminum and other metals.

MarineWeld is also highly resilient to many chemicals, including diesel, gas, and more.

You can work with plastic, carbon fiber, metals, wood, and composites if you use J-B Weld 8272 MarineWeld Marine Epoxy.

Moreover, you’ll be able to meddle with the glue even after it’s cured. You can paint, drill through, sand, and so on.

Tips for Gluing Aluminum

It’s not much of a hassle to glue aluminum to other materials. Besides having the right glue, you must ensure that the materials are clean and dry.

Then, apply the glue according to the instructions; everything should be good. Some glues have specific application instructions that you’ll need to follow closely.

Essentially, you shouldn’t apply glue on both surfaces. Apply a small adhesive on one aluminum surface and press the two materials together.

Depending on the type of glue, you may need to clamp the materials down or not. If the glue sets and cures very quickly, it won’t require clamping.

However, a fast-drying glue also gives you less time to work. If you make a mistake, you’ll only have seconds to rectify it before the adhesive hardens. Here are some safety tips when working with aluminum glues:

• Always wear protective gloves when working with any glue, especially fast-drying ones. If they bond to your skin, removing them will be a hassle.
• Wear eye protection to prevent the glue from getting into your eyes. Some glues are very toxic and will cause serious injuries.
• Don’t dress for the occasion. Even with a washing machine, most glues won’t get off your clothes. Work clothes are the best idea in these situations.
• Always read the instructions on the bottle of glue you’re using. Some adhesives are too toxic and may require a respirator or face mask when working with them.

Other than this, all you need to do is ensure you’re working in the right environment. A ventilated room is ideal when working with industrial-grade adhesives because the risk of inhaling the toxic fumes is considerably reduced.

Wrap Up

To review our findings today, the top adhesive pick for aluminum is J-B Weld 8281 Professional Size Steel Reinforced Epoxy.

It has a PSI of 5020 and can resist temperatures of over 500 degrees Celsius.

Moreover, it works on a wide variety of materials, and once cured, the bond can be sanded, painted, drilled, and more.

It’ll retain the same elasticity and bonding strength all the time, which means the bond’s lifespan is very long.

Compared to other adhesives in its class, J-B Weld Steel Reinforced Epoxy is superior in many ways.