Epoxy, cyanoacrylate, anaerobic, UV, or MMA—which industrial adhesive is right for your application? This guide compares the five most important adhesive technologies based on strength, cure time, temperature resistance, and substrate compatibility.
Why choosing the right adhesive is crucial
Choosing the wrong adhesive costs more than just materials—it costs production time, leads to customer complaints, and, in the worst case, poses safety risks. The five dominant adhesive technologies in the industry differ fundamentally in their properties. No single adhesive is universally the best—but there is an optimal choice for every application.
An Overview of the 5 Adhesive Technologies
| property | Epoxy (2K) | cyanoacrylate | anaerobic | UV-curing | MMA/acrylate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Curing time | 5 min – 24 h | 5–60 seconds | 5–60 min | seconds (UV) | 3–15 min |
| shear strength | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Impact resistance | ★★★☆☆ | ★☆☆☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Temperature resistance | up to 250 °C | up to 120 °C | up to 200 °C | up to 150 °C | up to 120 °C |
| Grout | Up to 25 mm | Max. 0.1 mm | Max 0.5 mm | Up to 5 mm | Up to 5 mm |
| Substrates | Universal | Rubber, metal, plastic | Metal only | Glass, plastic | Universal |
| Is mixing necessary? | Yes (2K) | No | No | No | Yes (2K) |
1. Epoxy adhesives – The all-rounder
When to Choose Epoxy
When maximum strength, chemical resistance, and temperature stability are required. Epoxy adhesives are the first choice for structural bonding applications intended to replace mechanical fasteners.
Typical applications
Bonding of magnets in electric motors, structural bonding in aircraft manufacturing, encapsulation of electronics, bonding of composite materials (CFRP/GFRP), toolmaking.
Our product range
Permabond ET Series (high-strength, 1K and 2K), ES Series (standard), Double/Bubble (pre-measured 2K cartridges). → All 127 epoxy adhesives
2. Cyanoacrylate – The Fast One
When to choose cyanoacrylate
Wenn Geschwindigkeit zählt und die Klebefuge eng ist (<0,1 mm). Sekundenkleber bieten sofortige Fixierung ohne Mischen, Wärme oder UV-Licht.
Typical applications
Bonding rubber to metal (gaskets, O-rings), assembly of small parts, securing parts prior to welding, maintenance repairs.
Important to know
Cyanacrylates do not fill gaps and are not impact-resistant. They are unsuitable for joints subject to vibration or shock. Specially formulated “rubber-toughened” variants (Permabond 731/737) offer improved impact resistance.
3. Anaerobic Adhesives – The Metal Specialist
When to choose anaerobic
For metal-to-metal joints in an oxygen-free environment: threadlockers, flange gaskets, shaft-to-hub joints, pipe gaskets. Anaerobic adhesives are the most cost-effective solution for these specific applications.
Strength classes
Low strength: Can be loosened by hand – for adjustment screws. Medium strength: Can be loosened with a tool – for standard screw connections. High strength: Can only be loosened with heat (>200 °C) – for safety-critical connections.
4. UV-curable adhesives – The Precise
When to choose UV
When at least one substrate is UV-transparent (glass, clear plastic) and fast, controllable curing is required. The adhesive remains liquid until exposed to targeted UV light—ideal for positioning tasks.
Typical applications
Glass-to-glass bonding, glass furniture, optics and lenses, medical technology (cannulas, catheters), display bonding, LED bonding.
5. MMA Structural Adhesives – The Rugged One
When to choose MMA
When impact resistance is more important than shear strength, and when bonding must be performed on untreated or slightly contaminated surfaces. MMA adhesives are more tolerant of surface contamination than epoxies.
Typical applications
Composite bonding (fiberglass boats, wind turbine blades), aluminum structural bonding, plastic-to-metal joints, sign bonding.
Decision Tree: Find the Right Adhesive in 4 Questions
- Are both substrates metal? → Anaerobic (for threads/flanges) or epoxy (for surfaces)
- Is the substrate transparent? → UV-curable
- Do you need impact resistance? → MMA structural adhesive
- Do you need immediate bonding? → Cyanoacrylate
- None of the above? → Epoxy (two-component, room-temperature curing)
Permabond vs. Loctite: Is there a difference?
Both manufacturers offer comparable technologies. Permabond is often more cost-effective while delivering the same performance and offers formulations that are not available from Loctite (e.g., special elastomer-modified cyanoacrylates). We carry both brands and provide a detailed comparison chart with equivalents.
→ See the Permabond vs. Loctite comparison
