What is the strongest epoxy for metal? What is the best epoxy for metal? What is the best epoxy adhesive for metal? Do you want a high strength adhesive that can allow you to join metallic parts while still show your artistic exhibit? Do you want to learn how you can use epoxy for metal? Then, kindly read this post till the end as we dive into using and selecting the strongest epoxy for metal.
On occasion, as a woodworking enthusiast, you are bound to land on wood pieces that have metal parts. Even more specifically, metal enthusiasts are highly bound to
encounter situations where they need to apply an adhesive on metal and still want to take advantage of being artistic. It is therefore inevitable to use epoxy for metal.
However, some of the metallic surfaces are smaller in area and generally occur in tricky situations that would require extra workmanship like doorknobs or handrails.
Also, most metallic surfaces involved are extra smooth, meaning the grip of the epoxy on the metal is relatively lower than that of a rougher surface.
For this reason, some epoxy specialists advise hobbyists to roughen their smooth surfaces to ensure the epoxy has areas onto which it can grip. This exercise can be achieved by employing fine-grit sand scrapers or rough sanders.
Also, due to the slickness and density of metal, plus its low porosity, there is a higher likelihood of weakness or damage when dealing with adhesives.
Therefore, it is critical to choose the strongest epoxy for metal that will overcome the disadvantage of having a small area to work with, as with some of the metallic surfaces, and still give you a firm grip on the very common smooth metallic surfaces.
OUR BEST PICKS FOR THE STRONGEST EPOXY FOR METAL
1• [♚] LOCTITE EPOXY METAL/CONCRETE – BEST 2 PART EPOXY FOR METAL
Loctite Epoxy Metal/Concrete serves as a strong adhesive for both metal and concrete. On the official package, the name reads “METAL/CONCRETE.” The epoxy is designed as a 2 part adhesive with the hardener compliment. Ensure that you check the full instructions manual while dealing with epoxies with hardeners.
The epoxy package possesses a syringe system that allows the user to dispense equal volumes of each part during application conveniently. With the 1:1 ratio of the epoxy resin to the hardener, the epoxy results in a firm, highly resistant, and tough bond with overwhelming integrity. The epoxy takes from 5 to 12 minutes to cure and form a tight bond but a clamp of about 60 minutes is necessary to achieve the strongest bond with the metal.
Loctite Epoxy Metal/Concrete is applicable in different situations, including filling and reconstructing metallic surfaces. It is worth noting that Loctite Epoxy Metal/Concrete is a poor conductor of electricity and, as such, is an excellent sealant when dealing with electricals or electronics.
Loctite Epoxy Metal/Concrete cures to form a finish whose surface allows for easy sanding, drilling, or machining. The resultant surface is metallic gray. The surface is also resistant to water and the majority of common solvents. Due to the low shrink factor after curing, Loctite Epoxy Metal/Concrete does not require excessive pours as compensation.
2• J-B Weld 8281 Professional Size Steel Reinforced Epoxy Twin Pack
Key Pros
Twin system epoxy
Shor cure and set time
High (5020 PSI) Tensile strength
Compatible with different surfaces
Chemical, water, and acid resistant
J-B Weld 8281 a twin epoxy system that results in tough, impact-resistant, and durable builds for metal and other surfaces. The 1:1 ratio is ideal and forms a highly tough result surface that can be manipulated in any way the hobbyist wants, including sanding, cracking, drilling, or reshaping. Experimental hobbyists are free to play around with different ratios that could achieve interesting results.
J-B Weld 8281 set in 4 to 6 hours at room temperature and gives a functional cure within 15 to 24 hours.
J-B Weld 8281 has an ultimate tensile strength of 3960 per square inch (quite significant for an epoxy). This feature contributes to making the resultant surface resistant to chemicals and acids.
The resulting surface can withstand thermal stress of up to 500ºF after curing fully.
The epoxy is compatible with other various surfaces allowing it to be not only one of the strongest epoxy for metal but also other surfaces as well. These other surfaces include wood, concrete, plastic, and many more.
Due to the diverse compatibility, J-B Weld 8281 can be used in many areas in the workshop, kitchen, or home, including plumbing, sinks, crafts and decor, and watercraft.
J-B Weld 8281 cures to a dark grey surface.
3• Blue Magic 16002TRI QuikSteel Steel Reinforced Epoxy Putty Repair, Blister Pack
Key Pros
Incredible water resistance
Can set underwater
Food and drink safe
Short setting and curing time
Compatible with all metals and several other surfaces
QuikSteel Epoxy Putty is a high-strength epoxy withstanding temperatures up to 500˚F. The epoxy sets on metal within 5 to 15 minutes and takes 60 minutes to cure to functional use.
The key advantage is incredible versatile usability allowing hobbyists to work underwater since the epoxy cures. Not only does this epoxy bond to all metals, but also other surfaces such as glass, fiberglass, ceramics, and wood. Wood as a surface is crucial as it allows continuity in woodworking projects.
The epoxy is also ideal for the kitchen, especially sinks and other related water prone areas. It offers excellent food and drinks safety while permanently repairing or rebuilding your broken space.
4• LOCTITE Epoxy Weld Bonding Compound
Key Pros
Impact and scratch-resistant
High UV resistance
Low shrink factor
Short set and curing time
Withstands high temperatures
Excellent for applications involving shear strength up to 3000 psi
Water-resistant
Non-breakable bond strength
Loctite Epoxy Weld Bonding Compound is a twin system metal-epoxy comprising of resin and hardener parts.
For this epoxy, a 1:1 ratio between the hardener and the epoxy is recommended, which results in an extremely tough bond. The epoxy is so strong that it quite a considerable alternative to real welding. Therefore, the epoxy is quite a prime candidate for the strongest epoxy for metal.
The epoxy is applicable in various tasks in the kitchen, workshop, or other spaces for reconstructing, filling, and repairing all metal and various common surfaces except rubber.
The color of the resulting surface is grey. The surface can be easily sanded or drilled without cracking.
The epoxy has a significantly low shrink factor and is only applied in small quantities without the need for an excess pour done to cater to epoxies with high shrink factors.
The epoxy surface is highly resistant to common fluids, including acids, petroleum, water, and oils.
SELECTING THE STRONGEST EPOXY FOR METAL
There are several features that one needs to watch out for when selecting the strongest epoxy for metal to end up with a tight epoxy-metal bond:
1• HIGH THERMAL RESISTANCE – Metals are generally good heat conductors, and as such, when using the strongest epoxy for metal, epoxied surfaces are highly likely to be heat sinks. If the epoxy for metal has a high thermal resistance, then the bond will likely be put under extreme thermal pressure WITHOUT compromising the integrity of the bond.
2• HARDENER COMPLIMENT – The reason a hardener compliment would be an advantage is that it allows the metalworking user to be versatile with mixing ratios. A user may use equal volumes of each (epoxy and hardener) (1:1 ratio) or decide to put more or less of either part. Different epoxies produce different results, even when using the same epoxy to hardener ratio. Hence, it is advantageous if the user can use the epoxy while having full control of each volume.
3• SHORT SETTING AND CURING TIME – Using the strongest epoxy for metal is often just a part of a metal or woodworking project. Therefore, It is advantageous to find an epoxy with a short setting time below 7 hours and a short functional curing time within 24 hours.
4• SUBSTANTIAL FLASH POINT – Around 200˚F (93˚C) is about the minimum temperature at which the epoxy vapor could ignite if given an ignition source. This feature may practically overcome the need for an overwhelmingly low thermal resistance.
5• HIGH TENSILE STRENGTH – About 2500 psi tensile for epoxies is adequate for the strongest epoxy for metal or any other high strength epoxy. If an epoxy possesses this feature, it means it will be exceedingly difficult to scratch, tilt or break even when the epoxied bond is put to the test.
A MENTION OF THE WORLD’S STRONGEST ADHESIVE
DeloNews recently did an article on the numbers behind the world strongest adhesive citing the following key features:
17.5 metric tons lifted weight – SIGNIFICANTLY MASSIVE
3 grams of adhesive required – SIGNIFICANTLY MINUTE
39.8cm2 Bonding area – SIGNIFICANTLY SMALL
43.1 N/mm² applied force for bonding – SIGNIFICANTLY LOW
Although we cannot force manufacturers to run strength tests of epoxies in reference to these features and results, there are several key main points to take home.
The strongest epoxy for metal should be impact resistant, efficient even when applied in small quantities or over narrow areas. It should not require massive clamping force over extended periods.
HOW TO USE EPOXY FOR METAL
Upon selecting the best/strongest epoxy for metal, using epoxy on metal is extraordinarily easy, especially to woodworking hobbyists, as it just requires you to treat the surface the same way you could if you were working on a wooden surface.
The steps are as follows:
PREPARING – Make sure you are woodworking in a space with excellent ventilation to allow free air circulation – critical for user-friendliness.
Ensure that your working space is adequate to accommodate all the tools, ingredients, and surfaces you will need for your epoxy-to-metal project.
Carefully inspect the parts that you want to join by testing if they perfectly fit. Here you need to remove any debris on either part that may compromise the integrity of the metal-epoxy seal.
As a critical part of your PPE, use nitrile or even latex gloves for your project rather than cotton or nylon gloves.
SURFACE CLEANING – Make the surfaces clean and free of debris and dust. Wipe the surfaces dry to get the best adhesive results. Some of the debris and stuff you are bound to encounter are oils, dust, fingerprints, especially on handrails and doorknobs.
The cleaning exercise can be done with a cloth and any of the different types of brushes.
Surfaces should be clean and dry. Remove any dust, dirt, wax, oil, or grease, including fingerprints, from all parts with a cloth.
EPOXY APPLICATION – Before starting your application, ensure that you read, understand, and follow the epoxy instructions to grasp the products’ details, including method of application, mixing, and drying times.
It is exceedingly common to find epoxies requiring a mixture with a hardener and special attention to the ratio. A specialized tool may also be involved whose use may make or break your epoxy-on-metal project’s artistry.
PIECE JOINING – Set the pieces to be joined and press together. Make the press very firm to ensure a tight bond without spaces. Do not disturb the pieces as the bond forms to avoid any compromise on the bond’s integrity.
It is worth noting that epoxies for metal commonly need clamping, sometimes up to 60 minutes, all in the name of ensuring the epoxy and the surface are in contact.
Spill offs and excess epoxy can be rid of acetone, found in most nail polish removers.
DISCLAIMER: Each epoxy will work in a very different manner from the others, and as such, it is critical to read, digest, and follow to the letter the instructions in the product box of each epoxy.
Finally, finding the strongest epoxy for metal involves finding specific features in the epoxy: Low Thermal Resistance, Hardener Compliment, Short Setting and Curing Time, Substantial Flash Point, and High Tensile Strength. Although it is impossible to find all the features of the world’s strongest adhesive, the similar features describe what to watch out for.
