The Glue Chart: Which Adhesive for Which Two Materials

Quick Reference Matrix

Read every cell as primary / fallback; condition. Yellow outline means prep is the job. Red means glue alone is usually the wrong design unless the load is cosmetic.

I'm gluing to See chemistry

Wood to easy rigid plastic

Epoxy or CA; abrade glossy plastic, degrease, and avoid flex.

Material	Wood	Metal	ABS/PVC/acrylic/PS	PE/PP	Vinyl/flex plastic	Rubber	Silicone	Glass	Ceramic	Stone/masonry	Fabric/leather	Paper/card	Foam/EPS	Drywall/plaster
Wood	PVA Type II/III; tight clamp	Epoxy / PU; abrade metal	Epoxy or CA; roughen plastic	LSE acrylic or screw; primer+CA for tiny parts	Contact cement / flexible urethane	Contact cement / flexible CA	Mechanical capture; silicone only as gasket	Silicone for seal, epoxy for rigid	Epoxy / construction adhesive	Construction adhesive / epoxy	Spray adhesive / contact cement	PVA / starch paste	Foam-safe spray / PU sparingly	Construction adhesive + screws
Metal	Epoxy / PU; abrade metal	Threadlocker for threads; epoxy for patches	Epoxy / acrylic structural; roughen	LSE acrylic; design with rivets if loaded	Contact cement / flexible urethane	Rubber contact cement / CA for O-rings	Sil-Poxy only for silicone side; otherwise capture	Epoxy / UV adhesive; degrease	Epoxy; scratch-glaze if possible	Epoxy anchor / construction adhesive	Contact cement / flexible urethane	Spray adhesive / double-stick film	Foam-safe spray / contact cement tested	Construction adhesive + fasteners
ABS/PVC/acrylic/PS	Epoxy or CA; roughen plastic	Epoxy / acrylic structural; roughen	Solvent cement when same plastic; CA/epoxy mixed	LSE acrylic or primer+CA; not normal epoxy	Vinyl cement/contact; test solvent attack	CA for small, contact cement for flexible	Silicone adhesive only if silicone side dominates	UV adhesive / epoxy; avoid stress cracks	Epoxy / CA for chips	Epoxy / MS-polymer	Contact cement / spray adhesive	PVA for paper side / spray	Foam-safe cement; solvent can melt EPS	Construction adhesive / screws
PE/PP	LSE acrylic or screw; primer+CA for tiny parts	LSE acrylic; design with rivets if loaded	LSE acrylic or primer+CA; not normal epoxy	Plastic weld / LSE acrylic; mechanical retention best	LSE acrylic if known; clamp mechanically	Specialty rubber-to-polyolefin system; fasten	Do not rely on glue; mechanical capture	LSE acrylic / mechanical capture	LSE acrylic / mechanical capture	Fasten; LSE acrylic only for light duty	Sew/strap/capture; specialty adhesive if needed	Heat seal/tape/capture; glue unreliable	Mechanical capture; test specialty adhesive	Fasten; no ordinary construction adhesive
Vinyl/flex plastic	Contact cement / flexible urethane	Contact cement / flexible urethane	Vinyl cement/contact; test solvent attack	LSE acrylic if known; clamp mechanically	Vinyl cement / flexible urethane	Flexible urethane / contact cement	Silicone adhesive or capture; test first	Silicone / flexible urethane	Flexible urethane / silicone	MS-polymer / flexible urethane	Contact cement / fabric glue	Contact cement / spray	Foam-safe contact; test melt	Construction adhesive if non-structural
Rubber	Contact cement / flexible CA	Rubber contact cement / CA for O-rings	CA for small, contact cement for flexible	Specialty rubber-to-polyolefin system; fasten	Flexible urethane / contact cement	Rubber cement/contact; CA for cuts	Sil-Poxy for silicone; otherwise incompatible	Silicone / flexible urethane	Flexible urethane / epoxy if rigid	Flexible urethane / MS-polymer	Contact cement / flexible urethane	Contact cement / rubber cement	Foam-safe contact / hot melt low temp	Construction adhesive; avoid peel loads
Silicone rubber	Mechanical capture; silicone only as gasket	Sil-Poxy only for silicone side; otherwise capture	Silicone adhesive only if silicone side dominates	Do not rely on glue; mechanical capture	Silicone adhesive or capture; test first	Sil-Poxy for silicone; otherwise incompatible	Silicone adhesive / Sil-Poxy; clean thoroughly	100% silicone sealant; not structural	Silicone sealant; gasket duty only	Silicone/MS sealant; not a load joint	Sew/capture; Sil-Poxy for small patches	Mechanical capture/tape; glue unreliable	Capture; test silicone adhesive	Silicone sealant as gasket only
Glass	Silicone for seal, epoxy for rigid	Epoxy / UV adhesive; degrease	UV adhesive / epoxy; avoid stress cracks	LSE acrylic / mechanical capture	Silicone / flexible urethane	Silicone / flexible urethane	100% silicone sealant; not structural	UV adhesive / silicone / epoxy	Epoxy / CA for small chips	Epoxy / MS-polymer	Silicone / contact cement	Spray adhesive / PVA on paper	Foam-safe spray / silicone	Mirror mastic/construction adhesive; support weight
Ceramic/porcelain	Epoxy / construction adhesive	Epoxy; scratch-glaze if possible	Epoxy / CA for chips	LSE acrylic / mechanical capture	Flexible urethane / silicone	Flexible urethane / epoxy if rigid	Silicone sealant; gasket duty only	Epoxy / CA for small chips	Epoxy / CA for tiny clean breaks	Thinset/mortar for tile; epoxy for repair	Contact cement / flexible urethane	PVA / spray for labels only	Foam-safe spray / low-temp hot melt	Tile adhesive/thinset; not craft glue
Stone/concrete/masonry	Construction adhesive / epoxy	Epoxy anchor / construction adhesive	Epoxy / MS-polymer	Fasten; LSE acrylic only for light duty	MS-polymer / flexible urethane	Flexible urethane / MS-polymer	Silicone/MS sealant; not a load joint	Epoxy / MS-polymer	Thinset/mortar for tile; epoxy for repair	Masonry epoxy / mortar / construction adhesive	Construction adhesive / contact cement	Spray adhesive for labels only	Foam-board adhesive rated for foam	Joint compound/plaster or construction adhesive
Fabric/leather	Spray adhesive / contact cement	Contact cement / flexible urethane	Contact cement / spray adhesive	Sew/strap/capture; specialty adhesive if needed	Contact cement / fabric glue	Contact cement / flexible urethane	Sew/capture; Sil-Poxy for small patches	Silicone / contact cement	Contact cement / flexible urethane	Construction adhesive / contact cement	Contact cement; sew when loaded	PVA / spray adhesive	Foam-safe spray / fabric glue	Spray/contact for decoration only
Paper/cardboard	PVA / starch paste	Spray adhesive / double-stick film	PVA for paper side / spray	Heat seal/tape/capture; glue unreliable	Contact cement / spray	Contact cement / rubber cement	Mechanical capture/tape; glue unreliable	Spray adhesive / PVA on paper	PVA / spray for labels only	Spray adhesive for labels only	PVA / spray adhesive	PVA / glue stick / starch paste	Foam-safe spray / PVA if paper-faced	PVA for paper facing only
Foam/EPS	Foam-safe spray / PU sparingly	Foam-safe spray / contact cement tested	Foam-safe cement; solvent can melt EPS	Mechanical capture; test specialty adhesive	Foam-safe contact; test melt	Foam-safe contact / hot melt low temp	Capture; test silicone adhesive	Foam-safe spray / silicone	Foam-safe spray / low-temp hot melt	Foam-board adhesive rated for foam	Foam-safe spray / fabric glue	Foam-safe spray / PVA if paper-faced	Foam-safe spray / low-temp hot melt	Foam-board adhesive; solvent-free
Drywall/plaster	Construction adhesive + screws	Construction adhesive + fasteners	Construction adhesive / screws	Fasten; no ordinary construction adhesive	Construction adhesive if non-structural	Construction adhesive; avoid peel loads	Silicone sealant as gasket only	Mirror mastic/construction adhesive; support weight	Tile adhesive/thinset; not craft glue	Joint compound/plaster or construction adhesive	Spray/contact for decoration only	PVA for paper facing only	Foam-board adhesive; solvent-free	Joint compound/tape; screws for panels

Adhesive Roster

CA, "super glue"

Cyanoacrylate is a thin, moisture-triggered adhesive for tight, clean, close-fitting joints.

Bonds well: Metal, glass, ceramic, hard plastic, small rubber cuts.
Fails on: Gaps, peel, flex, PE/PP without primer, porous end grain.
Time: Seconds to set; leave at least 10 minutes for handling and 24 hours for full cure on representative Loctite products.

Use gel or filler only for tiny gaps. CA is hard and brittle, not a shoe-sole glue.

CA + polyolefin primer

A surface primer lets CA wet low-surface-energy plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene.

Bonds well: Small PE/PP tabs, caps, toy parts, low-load repairs.
Fails on: Large peel joints, flexible hinges, wet/high-load service.
Time: Primer flashes off quickly; CA still needs full cure time for strength.

This is a small-part trick, not magic. Design snap fits, screws, rivets, or straps when the part carries load.

Two-part epoxy

Epoxy is a mixed resin/hardener system for rigid, gap-filling, high-strength repairs.

Bonds well: Metal, wood, ceramic, glass, stone, many rigid plastics.
Fails on: PE/PP unless specialty grade, silicone, flexing rubber, dirty surfaces.
Time: Five-minute products are for quick repairs; marine systems commonly need 5-10 hours to workable cure and 24 hours before high load at room temperature.

WEST SYSTEM explicitly says five-minute epoxy is not for long-term high-load or wet bonds. Slow-cure is the serious default.

PVA wood glue

Waterborne wood glue makes tight, clamped wood-to-wood joints and can exceed the wood's own strength in long-grain joints.

Bonds well: Wood, paper, cardboard, porous craft materials.
Fails on: Metal, glass, oily wood, plastic, starved end grain, standing water.
Ratings: Titebond II is ANSI Type II water-resistant; Titebond III is Type I waterproof but still not for continuous submersion.

For end grain, size the end first with a thin coat, then glue. A dry end grain joint can drink the adhesive and starve.

Polyurethane glue

Moisture-cured polyurethane expands into porous materials and handles dissimilar porous pairs.

Bonds well: Wood, stone, foam, ceramic, metal, concrete, glass when clamped.
Fails on: Precision joints, uncapped squeeze-out, slick plastic without mechanical tooth.
Time: Representative Original Gorilla Glue guidance: dampen one surface, clamp about 1-2 hours, cure 24 hours.

The foam is mostly expansion, not strength. Do not use it as gap-filling foam where the joint needs bearing area.

Construction adhesive

Cartridge adhesive for panels, subfloors, trim, masonry, and large uneven building-material joints.

Bonds well: Wood, OSB, drywall, brick, concrete, masonry, stone, foam insulation, metal, ceramic, PVC.
Fails on: Tiny precision repairs, oily surfaces, unsupported heavy parts during cure.
Time: Many modern products cure in about 24 hours; some allow repositioning for roughly 20 minutes.

It is a building adhesive, not a replacement for screws in structural framing or overhead loads.

Contact cement

Contact adhesive is applied to both surfaces, dried to tack, then bonded once with firm pressure.

Bonds well: Laminate, leather, rubber, vinyl, fabric, veneers.
Fails on: Repositioning, thick gaps, wet surfaces, heat above product rating.
Time: DAP Weldwood original calls for both surfaces to dry 15-20 minutes and assembly within 2-3 hours.

Wet-to-wet is the beginner mistake. Let both sides dry to tack, then align perfectly before contact.

Silicone sealant/adhesive

Silicone is a flexible waterproof gasket adhesive, not a rigid structural glue.

Bonds well: Glass, glazed ceramic, metal, some plastics, wet-area seams.
Fails on: Paintability, high-load brackets, oily surfaces, most cured silicone unless silicone-specific.
Time: GE data sheets commonly call for 24 hours undisturbed; thick beads cure about 2-3 mm per 24 hours under average conditions.

If the old material is cured silicone, ordinary glues and epoxies will not reliably hold it. Remove it or use silicone adhesive.

MS-polymer / flexible hybrid

Modern hybrid sealant-adhesives bridge the gap between construction adhesive and flexible sealant.

Bonds well: Exterior trim, metal, masonry, glass, plastics, moving joints.
Fails on: Submerged service unless rated, tight precision repairs, PE/PP without proof.
Time: Typically skin in tens of minutes and cure by moisture through the bead; thick beads need more time.

Use where movement matters. For rigid ceramic shards, epoxy still gives a cleaner hard repair.

Hot melt glue

Thermoplastic glue gives fast tack for crafts, fixtures, foam, fabric, and temporary shop aids.

Bonds well: Cardboard, fabric, foam, wood crafts, temporary jigs.
Fails on: Cars in summer, outdoor heat, smooth metal, high peel loads.
Time: Handling is usually in minutes because strength comes as the melt cools, not chemical cure.

If the part will sit in a hot vehicle, pick another chemistry.

PVC/ABS solvent cement

Solvent cement softens compatible plastic surfaces so the joint welds into one piece.

Bonds well: PVC pipe to PVC fitting; ABS to ABS; model polystyrene to polystyrene.
Fails on: Wrong plastic, PE/PP, gaps, dirty pipe, pressurizing too soon.
Time: Oatey cure charts vary by pipe size, fit, humidity, temperature, cement, and pressure; damp weather can add about 50%.

Primer is not decoration. It cleans and softens PVC/CPVC so the solvent weld can form.

Plastic model cement

A solvent-welding cement for polystyrene model parts, not a universal plastic glue.

Bonds well: Polystyrene kits, some ABS/styrene hobby parts.
Fails on: PE, PP, silicone, many vinyls, painted surfaces.
Time: Initial grab can be quick; full solvent evaporation and strength take longer.

If the cement does not soften the plastic, it is not welding it.

UV-cure adhesive

UV adhesives cure on demand when light can reach the bond line.

Bonds well: Glass to glass, glass to metal, clear acrylic where light reaches.
Fails on: Opaque joints, shadows, thick gaps, dirty glass.
Time: Seconds to minutes after exposure, product and lamp dependent.

No light, no cure. Do not bury it under an opaque bracket and expect strength.

Threadlocker

Anaerobic adhesive for metal threads that cures without air between close-fitting metal surfaces.

Bonds well: Bolts, screws, studs, set screws, vibration-prone metal threads.
Fails on: Plastic threads unless rated, oily threads, oversized gaps.
Time: Fixture and full cure vary by grade; read the grade-specific Loctite data.

It is the metal-to-metal answer that does not look like glue. Choose removable, permanent, or wicking grades deliberately.

Spray adhesive

A thin-film adhesive for large light materials where brushing would wrinkle or soak the surface.

Bonds well: Paper, fabric, foam, insulation, light veneer, patterns.
Fails on: Structural loads, thick gaps, hot interiors unless rated.
Time: 3M foam-safe 78 has a 1-15 minute bonding range in current TDS; variants differ.

EPS foam needs a foam-safe formula. Many general solvents attack it.

Hide glue

Traditional protein glue used where reversibility matters in furniture and instrument repair.

Bonds well: Wood, veneer, antiques, repairs that may need future disassembly.
Fails on: Wet service, plastics, metal, high heat/humidity abuse.
Time: Titebond liquid hide glue lists about 10 minutes open assembly and 20-30 minutes total assembly at 70 F/50% RH.

Do not use it because it is quaint. Use it because reversibility is part of the repair.

MMA/acrylic structural

Methyl methacrylate and related structural acrylics are professional-grade bonders for metals, composites, and difficult plastics.

Bonds well: Metal, composite, FRP, PVC, ABS, and specialty PE/PP grades.
Fails on: Casual repairs without correct cartridge/mixer, dirty surfaces, unsupported flexible peel.
Time: 3M DP8010 lists a 10-minute work life and about 60 minutes to handling strength for LSE plastics.

Excellent when you buy the right system. Wasteful and messy when a screw or ordinary epoxy would do.

Know Your Plastic

Plastic identity changes the answer more than brand choice. Resin codes identify resin families, not whether a city recycles the item.

PET/PETE

Usually bottles and clear packaging. Glueability: fair with epoxy or specialty plastic adhesives after abrasion.

HDPE

Milk jugs, buckets, cutting boards. Glueability: poor; use LSE acrylic, primer+CA for tiny parts, welding, or fasteners.

PVC

Pipe, trim, vinyl. Glueability: good with PVC solvent cement for PVC-to-PVC; flexible vinyl needs vinyl/contact systems.

LDPE

Films, squeeze bottles, flexible lids. Glueability: poor; heat seal, sew/capture, LSE acrylic only if needed.

PP

Food tubs, living hinges, battery boxes. Glueability: poor; low-surface-energy acrylics or mechanical retention.

PS

Model kits, brittle clear packaging, EPS foam. Glueability: good with model cement for solid PS; EPS needs foam-safe products.

Other

Polycarbonate, nylon, PLA, blends. Glueability: identify by object and test; epoxy or specialty plastic adhesive often beats CA.

PE/PP protocol

Assume ordinary CA, epoxy, PVA, and construction adhesive are unreliable. Use a low-surface-energy acrylic such as 3M DP8005/DP8010, a polyolefin primer plus CA for small rigid parts, heat welding, or a joint that mechanically traps the plastic.

Example: a cracked HDPE storage-bin corner should get a drilled stop hole plus plastic welding or a bolted backing patch, not a smear of epoxy.

Quick ID tests

PE and PP often feel waxy, resist scratches, and float in water; PVC, PET, acrylic, and polycarbonate usually sink. Treat the float test as a clue, not proof: foamed or filled plastics can mislead.

Example: a greasy-feeling bottle cap that floats is probably PP/PE, so use a primer system or redesign the repair.

Silicone protocol

Ordinary glues and epoxies do not reliably hold cured silicone. Remove old silicone before resealing, or use a silicone-specific adhesive such as Sil-Poxy for silicone-to-silicone repairs.

Example: a torn silicone mold gets silicone adhesive; a bathroom recaulk starts with full old-silicone removal.

Joint Prep

Clean before roughening

Degrease with isopropyl alcohol or the adhesive-maker's recommended cleaner, then abrade. Sanding first can grind oil into the surface.

Example: metal bracket to wood: wipe, scuff to bright metal, wipe again, then epoxy.

Abrade for tooth

Use 120-220 grit on metal, glass edges, glossy plastic, and cured finishes. Do not polish; scratches increase area and mechanical keying.

Not for: thin films, decorative faces, or PVC pipe sockets where primer/cement chemistry is specified.

Match glue to gap

CA wants hairline contact. PVA wants tight wood. Epoxy and many construction adhesives tolerate gaps. Contact cement wants broad, thin, tacky films.

Example: chipped ceramic with missing crumbs gets filled epoxy, not watery CA.

Clamp, but do not starve

Clamp enough to bring surfaces into contact. Overclamping porous joints can squeeze too much adhesive out; underclamping leaves thick weak glue.

Example: wood long-grain PVA joint: firm even pressure, visible squeeze-out, then leave through clamp time.

Respect open time

Open time is the window between spreading adhesive and closing the joint. Contact cement must dry before joining; PVA and epoxy must close before skinning or gelling.

Example: laminate top: dry both contact-cement surfaces to tack, use spacers, then roll down once.

Temperature changes cure

Cold slows epoxy and many sealants. Humidity helps CA and moisture-cured polyurethane, but Oatey solvent-weld charts add time in damp or humid weather.

Example: a garage at 45 F needs longer epoxy cure before stress than the same repair at 72 F.

End grain drinks glue

End grain is a bundle of straws. Size it first with a thin coat, let it soak, then add fresh glue for the joint.

Example: chair rung into leg: precoat the rung end before final PVA assembly.

Use release surfaces deliberately

Wax paper, polyethylene tape, packing tape, and silicone mats are useful because many glues do not stick well to them.

Example: epoxy a chipped corner against clear packing tape as a dam, then peel after cure.

Decision Layer

When glue is the wrong answer: structural loads, brakes/steering/safety gear, overhead heavy objects, pressure vessels, high heat, food-contact uncertainty, or parts that failed from fatigue. Use a fastener, weld, replace the part, or hire the right trade.

Ceramic mug handle

Use slow epoxy for a clean rigid break. Do not promise food-contact safety for a repaired surface that touches drink or lips.

Shoe sole

Use flexible urethane/shoe adhesive, clamp overnight, and rough both sides. Do not use CA; flex will break it.

Eyeglass hinge

Usually replace or have the frame repaired. A tiny CA tack can hold a cosmetic piece, but spring hinges and metal fatigue beat glue.

Car trim clip

Replace the clip or add the proper mechanical retainer. Hot glue and random epoxy fail under heat, vibration, and peel.

Plastic toy

Identify plastic first. ABS/PS can take CA or solvent cement; PE/PP toy parts need welding, primer systems, or screws.

Headphone band

Use epoxy plus a splint if the plastic is glueable; for PP/PE bands, drill and stitch/bolt a backing strip.

Garden hose fitting

Replace the fitting or clamp a barbed repair. Water pressure and flex make glue a temporary patch at best.

Loose countertop laminate

Clean old dust, apply contact cement to both faces, dry to tack, then roll firmly from one edge.

Loose tile or stone chip

Thinset or tile adhesive for tile-to-wall; tinted epoxy for a small stone chip; construction adhesive only for non-wet trim pieces.

Fabric or leather patch

Contact cement for leather, fabric glue or spray adhesive for cloth. Sew loaded seams; adhesive alone peels.

Storage And Safety

Opened-package reality

Adhesive	Buy/store rule	Failure sign
CA	Buy small tubes; keep capped, dry, and cool.	Stringy, slow, white crust, clogged bottle.
PVA	Titebond lists about two-year minimum shelf life for most wood glues at room temperature.	Stringy Original, orange gel in Titebond II, lumps that will not redisperse.
Epoxy	Keep resin/hardener caps separate and pumps clean.	Bad ratio, crystallized resin not restored, sticky cure.
Cartridge sealants	Plug nozzle, store upright, check skin/cure test before relying.	No skin after a test bead, separated liquid, hardened nozzle.
Contact cement	Seal immediately; solvents drift out.	Gel, thick skin, weak tack after proper dry time.

Safety block

CA and cotton: cyanoacrylate can heat rapidly on cotton, wool, or paper towels. Keep it off clothing and use non-cotton applicators when flooding.
Solvents: contact cement, PVC/ABS cement, model cement, and spray adhesive need ventilation and ignition control.
Epoxy: repeated bare-skin exposure can sensitize users. Wear nitrile gloves and avoid sanding uncured or green epoxy dust.
Foam: EPS dissolves under many solvents. Use products explicitly rated foam-safe.
California/VOC note: some contact cements and solvent products have regional low-VOC formulations; follow the local label, not an old forum recipe.

Common Mistakes

Using CA as filler

CA is strongest in thin bond lines. If you can see daylight, use epoxy, a filled adhesive, or a mechanical repair.

Skipping plastic ID

PE/PP failures look like "bad glue" but are really low surface energy. Identify before buying.

Choosing five-minute epoxy for load

Fast set is convenient. Slow-cure structural epoxy is the default for high load, water, and longevity.

Hot glue in hot places

A car interior, sunny window, or appliance-adjacent repair can soften a hot-melt bond.

Re-gluing over old failure

Old adhesive is usually the weak layer. Remove it to sound material before the second attempt.

Precision work with construction adhesive

It is thick, stringy, and made for panels and building materials, not a cracked figurine or phone case.

Rigid glue on flexible parts

Flex turns rigid adhesive into a peel test. Use flexible urethane/contact cement or sew/fasten.

Buying the large bottle

Occasional users lose more to shelf life than they save in unit price. Small fresh tubes win.

Assuming waterproof means submerged

Wood glues and sealants often survive water exposure but still exclude below-waterline or continuous submersion service.

Loctite super glue guide and Loctite plastic/metal adhesive guidance for CA, epoxy, and full-cure timing.
Titebond III product page, Titebond II product page, and Titebond FAQs for water ratings and shelf life.
Original Gorilla Glue product page and Gorilla product guidance for polyurethane moisture cure, clamp, material, and hot-glue use cases.
3M Scotch-Weld DP8005, 3M Scotch-Weld DP8010, and 3M LSE plastics guidance for PE/PP bonding.
Oatey Purple Primer and Oatey solvent weld cure chart for PVC/CPVC primer and cure variables.
DAP Weldwood Original Contact Cement TDS for two-surface dry/tack timing.
GE Sealants FAQ and GE silicone data sheets for silicone cure behavior.
Smooth-On Sil-Poxy product page for cured silicone bonding limitations.
WEST SYSTEM G/5 Five-Minute Adhesive and WEST SYSTEM 206 Slow Hardener for epoxy load and cure guidance.
ASTM resin identification code overview for the 1-7 plastic-code framing.