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Trying to repair metal with the wrong glue can be extremely frustrating.
The right epoxy glue, however, should give an almost instant hold, allowing you a few minutes to manipulate it before it sets. Once cured you can be sure it’ll stand up to extreme conditions and last for many years to come.
The trouble is, a quick google search can leave you overwhelmed with the sheer number of epoxy glue options on offer. Which is the best?
The following guide provides some insight into the best epoxy glues currently on the market along with a full buyer guide so help you understand what to look out for. Let’s begin!
Quick Picks
Here's 3 products we picked out that thought you would be interested in depending on your budget...
The Best Glue for Metal with reviews 2024
Here is a list of the best glues for metal we found:
1. J-B Weld Original Cold-Weld Steel Reinforced Epoxy
- Tensile strength of 3960 PSI
- Can withstand temperatures up to 550°F
- Sets in 4 – 6 hours
- Takes 16 – 24 hours to cure
- Cure color of dark grey
- Great to use on metal, brick, fiberglass, concrete and more
Pros
- Waterproof, acid, petroleum and chemical resistant when fully cured
- Extremely high tensile strength
- Excellent temperature tolerance
Cons
- Takes longer to set than other epoxy glues
- May not be as effective on stainless steel
Overview
Designed as an alternative to torch welding, J-B Weld 8265Sismixed using a 1:1 ratio to form a permanent bond stronger than steel that can be drilled, sanded and shaped after curing. It features an exceptional tensile strength of 3960 PSI.
It is also incredibly resilient in extreme conditions, able to withstand temperatures up to 550°F once cured. To set it takes 4 – 6 hours at room temperature and 16 – 24 hours to cure. Dark grey in appearance.
Alongside metal, it can be used on brick, fiberglass, concrete and more. Takes longer to set than other epoxy glues on this list and can have issues working on stainless steel.
Regularly used for industrial purposes, J-B Weld is known as the gold standard when it comes to epoxy glues. The 8265S is J-B Welds best variety, which is why it takes our best pick spot. For long-lasting metal and household repairs, look no further than the J-B Weld 8265S.
2. J-B Weld KwikWeld Steel Reinforced Epoxy
- Tensile strength of 2424 PSI
- Will withstand temperatures of up to 300°F
- Takes 6 minutes to set
- Fully cured in 4 – 6 hours
- Dark grey when cured
- Can be used on metal, plastic, wood, concrete, ceramic, tile & fiberglass
Pros
- Fast to set
- Easy to use
- Variety of application options
Cons
- To cure fully it cannot be disturbed
- Can be a little stick to work with
Overview
The J-B Weld 8276 KwikWeld is a fast setting version of the J-B Weld 8265S. It is a two-part epoxy that once cured, forms a permanent bond. Once fully cured you can drill, sand or file it however you want without worrying about cracking it.
Tensile strength is rated at 2424 PSI and it can withstand temperatures up to 300°F. Unlike the 8265S which takes 4 – 6 hours to set, the 8276 only needs 6 minutes. It also cures quicker, in just 4 – 6 hours, leaving behind a dark grey appearance.
Applications include metal, plastic, wood, concrete, ceramic, tile & fiberglass. To ensure the strongest bond possible, do not disturb until the curing time has passed. Can be sticky to work with.
If you need a quick setting epoxy, J-B Weld 8276 KwikWeld needs to be seriously considered. Commonly used by mechanics and plumbers it can also be put to use for quick household repairs that involve materials such as plastic wood and glass.
3. J-B Weld SteelStik Steel Reinforced Putty Stick
- Tensile strength of 900 PSI
- Withstands temperatures up to 300°F
- Fully sets in just 3 – 5 minutes
- Fully cured in 60 minutes
- Cures to a dark grey color
- Works on steel, stainless steel, iron, copper, brass, bronze & aluminum
Pros
- Quick setting
- Works on several metals
- Super affordable
Cons
- Doesn’t have the best tensile strength
- Don’t have long to work with it
Overview
With a tensile strength of 900 PSI, J-B Weld 8267 is a hand-mixable, non-rusting, steel-reinforced epoxy used for quick metal repairs. Once cured it can withstand temperatures up to 300°F. It takes as little as 3 – 5 minutes to fully set and 60 minutes to cure.
Once cured it is dark grey in appearance and can be drilled, tapped and machined. Works with steel, stainless steel, iron, copper, brass, bronze & aluminum. Lower tensile strength rating compared to other options. Have to work with it quickly once kneaded.
J-B Weld 8267 is a super affordable epoxy glue that works great with all kinds of metals. If you need to make some quick automotive or household repairs this epoxy glue will get the job done. If you need maximum strength I would suggest going for a different option.
4. Gorilla Heavy Duty GorillaWeld Steel Bond
- Tensile strength of 4250 PSI
- Resistant to temperatures of -40°F to 297°F
- Sets in 10 minutes
- Full cure in 24 hours
- Dark grey in color once fully cured
- Works with metal, ceramics, fiberglass, PCV and some plastics
Pros
- Very good tensile strength
- Waterproof
- Quick to set and cure
Cons
- Have to work with it quickly before it sets
- Remember to use it in a well-ventilated area
Overview
Gorilla Heavy Duty GorillaWeld Steel Bond 2-Part Epoxy is a strong two-part adhesive designed to repair and fill gaps in a variety of materials. It features a tensile strength of 4250 PSI. Resistant to temperatures of -40°F to 297°F. Sets in 10 minutes and cures in 24 hours. Dark grey once fully cured.
Can be used with metal, ceramics, fiberglass, PCV and some plastics. You will have to work with it fast due to its quick setting curing properties. May give off a strong odor so make sure your work environment is well ventilated.
GorillaWeld is a multi-purpose and waterproof heavy-duty 2-part epoxy used to create long-lasting bonds on a multitude of materials. If you need a quick setting and strong holding epoxy glue this will not let you down.
5. Blue Magic QuikSteel Steel Reinforced Epoxy
- Tensile strength of 5950 PSI
- Temperature resilience of up to 500°F
- Set time of 5 minutes
- Full cure in 1 hour
- Grey once fully cured
- Can be used on metals, fiberglass, plastics and more
Pros
- One of the strongest epoxy glues on the market
- Can be used on a vast variety of materials
- Easy to mix and use
Cons
- May not be best suited for large gaps
- Not very malleable
Overview
Blue Magic 16002TRI is exceptionally strong steel reinforced epoxy putty ideal for metal and other material repairs. Mixes like putty, bonds like epoxy and hardens like steel. It can be drilled, sanded, filed, machined and painted once fully cured.
Tensile strength of 5950PSI and resistance to temperatures ranging from -90°Fup to 500°F. Sets in just 5 minutes and fully cures in 1 hour. Presents a grey color once cured.
Can be used for permanent repairs on the following materials; Cast iron, copper, metal, steel, galvanized steel, brass, aluminum, ceramic, PVC, plastic, fiberglass, glass, vinyl and wood. Perhaps not the best for large gaps and not very easy to stick and maneuver during application.
Blue Magic 16002TRI is for those looking for the strongest epoxy possible for industrial applications. Anything from plumbing, automotive and marine repairs are possible with this product.
6. J-B Weld HighHeat Epoxy Putty Stick
- Tensile strength of 800 PSI
- Can withstand 450°F of constant heat & 500°F of intermittent heat
- Takes 1 hour to set
- 8 hours to cure
- Cures to a machine grey color
- Suitable for use a variety of metals
Pros
- Excellent temperature resilience
- Easy to use
- Three times stronger at high temperatures
Cons
- Low tensile strength compared to other options on this list
- Can give off an unpleasant smell initially
Overview
J-B Weld 8297 is a hand mixable epoxy stick designed to repair and bond material commonly exposed to high temperatures in both industrial maintenance and automotive applications. It is rated for constant temperatures of 450°F and intermittent heat of 500°F.
Tensile strength of 800 PSI. Takes 1 hour to set and 8 hours to cure. Once 8 hours have passed you can drill, file, paint it till your heart is content without the worry of breaking the bond. Lower tensile strength compared to other epoxy glues, initial unpleasant smell.
J-B Weld 8297 HighHeat specializes in heat resistance making it perfect for use in industrial maintenance applications. Once cured it can be tapped, drilled, filed, painted and machined without any cracks or breakage occurring.
7. Permatex PermaPoxy Multi-Metal Epoxy
- Tensile strength of up to 4500 PSI
- Can withstand temperatures of -60°F to 300°F
- Sets in 4 minutes
- Full cure in 24 hours
- Dark grey in appearance
- Can be used on a variety of metals
Pros
- Resistant to solvents and water
- Exceptionally strong
- A great choice for multi-metal projects
Cons
- The smell during application may be unpleasant to some
- Does give you long to work with it
Overview
Permatex 84209 is an easy to use multi-metal epoxy glue with tensile strength rated up to 4500 PSI. It comes in a twin-tube plunger to ensure equal amounts of the formula is dispersed.
Super resilient and able to hold strong in temperatures ranging from -60°F to 300°F.Sets in just 4 minutes with no clamping required and cures in 24 hours. Once cured it gives off a dark grey appearance and can be drilled, filed and shaped to your specifications.
Suggested metals for application include iron, steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, chrome and brass. Some may find the smell during application a bit unpleasant.
Permatex 84209 A brilliant option for those needing to mount metal fittings or fill in metal gaps and cracks without the hassle of having us a welder. Unmatched tensile strength and brilliant resilience to environmental factors make this a great option for almost anyone.
Buying Guide
With so many varieties of epoxy on offer, it can be hard to narrow it down to one. To help, we have highlighted some key features you should be on the lookout for and given some insight into how each will affect the buying process. But first, let’s compare epoxy glue vs the world-renowned super glue.
Does Super Glue work on metal?
In short, yes it does. However, it isn’t suitable for everyone. Whether you chose to use super glue to glue metal depends on how much hold you need. For industrial use, in the automotive industry, for example, it isn’t a good idea due to the poor heat resistance of super glue. For small scale home repairs, however, it should do the job just fine.
Epoxy glue vs Super Glue
While super glue comes in one tube, epoxy glue typically comes separated into two components which you’ll need to combine. These components are usually labelled as a hardener and an adhesive or resin.
Although combining the two is easy enough it will always take longer than simply applying standard super glue straight from the tube. Also, once you have mixed both epoxy components you only have a few minutes to apply it before you risk ruining the bond.
Of course, when it comes to shear strength, epoxy glue is far superior. Superglue will struggle to hold if put under off-angle stresses while epoxy glue will be fine due to its far superior structural strength. If you only need to fix a few things around the house super glue should be just fine but if you need to make industrial repairs, use in wet conditions or fill voids between materials, use epoxy glue.
If for whatever reason you need to remove the glue, you’ll have a hard time removing epoxy. Superglue, however, is relatively easy to remove with some GBL or acetone.
What to Look Out for
Strength
The tensile strength of epoxy glue can vary greatly, from ratings of 800 PSI up to 6000 PSI. Although both strong, you must consider your intended use. For industrial use, you’ll need to go with a highly rated tensile strength. For application in and around the home, you should be fine with some of the lower-rated PSI’s. If you arent sure it doesn’t hurt to lean towards an epoxy with a higher rated tensile strength rather than underestimating your requires.
Temperature Resilience
Whether temperature resilience is important to you depends on your intended application. For those in the automotive industry, a high-temperature resilient epoxy is vital for working in areas that experience extreme heat such as the engine or exhaust. Consider which environments you’ll be working on and buy accordingly.
The Cure Time
Adhesives can vary greatly in regards to their cure time. Some allow you up to a couple of hours to be molded into position while others start to set in just a few minutes. If you have never used an epoxy glue before you may benefit from a longer set and cure time so you have a chance to position it how you would like. If your priority is to make quick repairs go for an epoxy that sets and cures rapidly.
The Cure Color
For some, it may be worth taking into account the final appearance of the epoxy. Most usually leave behind a grey or dark grey color. Choosing one that is more suited to the area you use it can allow it to blend in seamlessly. Of course, you can paint over it once cured to any color you’d like to match the surroundings.
Wrapping it up
These are the 7 best epoxy glues for metal currently available on the market. A good metal epoxy glue must have high tensile strength, usable on a variety of materials and able to withstand extreme weather and temperatures.
Our choice for best pick goes to the J-B Weld 8265S Original Cold-Weld Steel Reinforced Epoxy. It can with stand high temperatures, has a high strength rating, and works on a large selection of surfaces. There isn’t an area in which it will let you down!
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