In industrial settings, picking the best adhesive is more than just grabbing something off the shelf. Different materials—metal, plastic, composites, ceramics and wood—each have unique properties and challenges.
Using the industrial adhesives that match the material, environment and application ensures strong bonds, long service life and fewer failures. If you want the best adhesive for industrial use, understanding the types, features and correct selection process is critical.
Here’s a guide to help you choose wisely, with examples of WEICON adhesives available at SPLECA.
Key Factors to Consider
When selecting an adhesive, consider:
- Material compatibility (e.g. metal-to-metal vs metal-plastic vs plastic vs composites)
- Environmental conditions (temperature, moisture, vibration, chemical exposure)
- Cure type (one-component vs two-component, pot life, curing speed)
- Strength requirements (shear, peel, impact)
- How the adhesive will be applied (vertical surfaces, large areas, precision spots)
Types of Industrial Adhesives & Material Match
Here are some adhesive types and when they are well-suited to different industrial materials:
Material Type | Suitable Adhesive Type / Features |
Metal (steel, aluminium, etc.) | Epoxy adhesives and steel-filled or metal-pigmented systems; high temperature resistance; pasty or viscous adhesives help where gravity works against bonding. |
Plastics & Elastomers | Cyanoacrylate adhesives or structural acrylics designed for plastics; adhesives with residual elasticity are better for plastics that flex. |
Composites & Fibre Reinforced Materials | Two-component epoxies that fill gaps and bond strongly to mixed surfaces; adhesives that resist thermal cycling. |
Ceramics, Glass, Stone | Adhesives that cure to transparency (if appearance matters); those that resist brittle failure. |
Wood & Panels | Polyurethane systems and structural adhesives with good adhesion to porous wood and ability to sand or finish cleanly. |
Best Adhesives for Industrial Use
Here are some WEICON adhesives that illustrate how matching adhesive to material makes a difference:
WEICON C Epoxy Resin is a temperature-resistant, flowable, non-corrosive and anti-magnetic epoxy system that cures with minimal shrinkage. It is ideal for large-scale bonding, mould pouring and producing durable tools and fixing devices under high thermal stress.
Key Features
- Temperature-resistant – suitable for applications exposed to high thermal stress
- Flowable epoxy resin system – ideal for large-scale applications and moulding
- Non-corrosive – safe for use on sensitive materials
- Anti-magnetic – does not interfere with magnetic-sensitive environments
- Cures with almost no shrinkage – ensures precision and stability after curing
- Industrial suitability – recommended for tool and mould making, fixing devices, injection moulds and other industrial applications
A DNV certified, steel-filled epoxy suited for heavy repairs on steel parts, including corrosion damage, pitting or holes. Since it is pasty, it can be applied even on vertical surfaces. Ideal for industrial metal assemblies, repair of tanks, pipes and plant equipment.
Key Features
- DNV certified – approved for maritime industry applications
- Steel-filled epoxy resin system – highly filled with steel pigments for strength
- Magnetic – suitable for specialized industrial uses
- Pasty texture – allows easy application on vertical surfaces
- Alternative to welding – no thermal distortion compared to traditional welding
- Corrosion & pitting repair – ideal for restoring heavily damaged steel components
- 2-component system – reliable for professional repair and maintenance
- Versatile repair uses – tanks, pipes, cracks in engine/pump housings, machine parts
- Resistant to harsh environments – suitable for sewer systems and pipelines exposed to strong media influences
- Industrial applications – maritime, mechanical engineering, cement industry, power plants, toolmaking, model & mould making and many other sectors
This structural acrylic is a two-component system (adhesive + activator) with high impact, peel, and shear strength. Because it uses a “no-mix” procedure, it’s easier to apply. It works well bonding metals, rigid plastics, ferrites, etc.—especially for large surfaces.
Key Features
- High Strength – Excellent impact, peel and shear strength.
- No-Mix System – Adhesive and activator used separately, eliminating mixing procedures.
- Large Surface Bonding – Ideal for bonding extensive areas.
- Material Versatility – Suitable for metals, ferrites and rigid plastics.
- Wide Industrial Use – Applied in mechanical and apparatus engineering, vehicle construction, tool and mould making, building, furniture and many other industries.
This epoxy is viscous, self-levelling, fast curing, with very short pot life and extremely high adhesive strength. It can be used on a variety of materials including metal, plastic, fibre-reinforced materials, ceramics, glass, stone and wood. Good when multiple materials are involved and rapid bonding is needed.
Key Features
- Fast Application – Suitable for quick repairs and maintenance work.
- Series Production Ready – Ideal for industrial production with short cycle times.
- Multi-Material Bonding – Bonds metal, plastic, fibre-reinforced materials, ceramics, glass, stone and wood.
- Wide Industrial Use – Applicable across many industrial sectors.
- Easy Processing – Requires Easy-Mix D 50 dosing gun for 50 ml containers.
A high-strength fast curing polyurethane adhesive that works across many materials—composite materials, plastics, metals, wood, ceramics. It is temperature and chemical resistant and useful in applications where a strong, versatile adhesive is needed.
Key Features
- High-Strength Bonding – Provides excellent tensile, shear and peel strength.
- Extremely Fast-Curing – Can be sanded and painted over after approx. 30 minutes.
- Highly Viscous – Ideal for precise application without dripping.
- Durability – Weather-resistant, chemical-resistant and temperature-resistant (-55 °C to +125 °C).
- Multi-Material Compatibility – Bonds composites, plastics, polyurethane, epoxies, polyester, metals, wood and ceramics.
- Wide Industrial Applications – Used in plastic technology, machinery, mould making, metal and ship construction, vehicle building and exhibition setups.
WEICON Threadlocking Varnish is a solvent-based, fast-drying securing and marking varnish designed for locking, sealing and tamper protection of screw connections. It also provides corrosion protection and serves as a visual indicator for quality assurance and inspection.
Key Features:
- Fast-Drying & Solvent-Based – Ensures quick application and reliable adhesion.
- Tamper Protection – Prevents manipulation and unauthorised loosening of screws and connections.
- Corrosion Protection – Shields against environmental influences and contact damage.
- Electrical Safety – Can be used as a cover for electrically conductive parts.
- Chemical Resistance – Resistant to water, petrol, diesel, mineral oil, paraffin oil, diluted acids and lyes.
- Multi-Functional Use – Suitable for screw locking, quality documentation, production control and inspection marking.
- Color Options – Available in yellow, green and red for clear visibility.
This high-temperature-resistant flange gasketing adhesive ensures reliable sealing and strength in demanding industrial environments. Certified by BAM, it offers long-term durability for applications exposed to heat and pressure.
Key Features:
- Gasketing of Flanges – Provides secure sealing for flange connections.
- High-Temperature Resistant – Suitable for extreme heat applications.
- BAM Certified – Tested and approved for safety and performance.
- High Viscosity – Ensures strong, gap-filling application.
- High Strength – Delivers durable and reliable bonding.
- Hard to Disassemble – Offers permanent sealing performance.
- Color – Orange for easy identification.
WEICON Black-Seal is a high-temperature, oil- and grease-resistant adhesive and sealant, ideal for heavy-duty industrial applications. Its extreme elasticity and strength ensure long-lasting bonding and sealing under demanding conditions.
Key Features:
- Extremely Resistant to Oil and Grease – Maintains integrity in oily and greasy environments.
- High-Temperature Resistant – Up to +280 °C (+536 °F).
- Solvent-Free – Safe and stable for industrial use.
- Strong & Pressure-Resistant – Withstands mechanical stress.
- Resistant to Ageing – Ensures long-term performance.
- Extremely Elastic – Breaking elongation of approx. 500%, ideal for dynamic applications.
- Versatile Applications – Suitable for gearboxes, valve and casing covers, oil sumps, water pumps, gears, axles, flanges, tanks and containers.
- Color – Black for easy identification.
Final Tips & Best Practices
- Always prepare surfaces: clean, degreased, roughened if needed, dried. Even the best adhesive struggles on dirty or oily surfaces.
- Match adhesive cure conditions: some adhesives cure only at certain temperatures or humidity levels.
- Consider mechanical stresses: vibration, impact, flexing—choose adhesives that resist those conditions.
- For large or vertical surfaces, select adhesives with higher viscosity or pasty consistency so they stay in place.
- Safety & standards: check certifications, temperature ratings, chemical resistance, shrinkage properties.
Conclusion
Selecting the right adhesive for your material—whether metal, plastic, composite, or wood—can make a big difference in performance, durability and costs. SPLECA’s range of industrial adhesives, especially the WEICON line, offers strong, tested and specialized solutions for every need. By choosing strains specific to your materials and conditions, you ensure that your bond doesn’t just hold—but lasts.
If you want help picking the best adhesive for your particular metal repair or material combination, reach out to SPLECA. We can guide you to the ideal product and ensure your bonding solutions deliver industrial strength and longevity.
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