Adhesive Selection by Material Reference

Why this matters

Wrong adhesive for the application fails. Glue PVC to ABS with PVC primer = leak in 3 months. Use construction adhesive where panel adhesive needed = falls off. Use foam adhesive where solvent-resistant needed = dissolves. Time wasted in callbacks dwarfs the cost of choosing the right adhesive first time. This is the field card for material-to-material adhesive selection.

Adhesive categories

• Solvent-based (PVC cement, contact cement): dissolves surfaces, chemical bond, strong but slow, VOC concerns.
• Cyanoacrylate (CA / super glue): fast bond (seconds), most materials, brittle (not impact).
• Epoxy (2-part): strongest general adhesive, slow cure (5 min - 24 hr), fills gaps, cures rigid.
• Polyurethane (PL Premium, Gorilla Glue): foams while curing, bonds dissimilar materials, paintable + sandable.
• Hot melt (glue gun): fast bond, temporary/permanent by stick, limited strength.
• Silicone-based: see Sealant + Caulk Selection.
• Construction adhesive (Liquid Nails, PL Premium): high-tack + gap-filling for subfloor/wall/trim.
• Anaerobic (Loctite threadlocker): cures without air; metal threads.

Material-to-material matrix

Wood to wood

• PVA (wood glue): yellow / white wood glue (Titebond, Elmer's). Best general. 12 - 24 hr full cure.
• Polyurethane: stronger, waterproof, foams; for exterior + structural wood.
• Epoxy: gap-filling, strongest; for boat / structural.
• CA (super glue): small repairs, instant.

Wood to drywall / sheetrock

• Construction adhesive: trim to wall.
• Liquid Nails for paneling.

Wood to concrete

• Construction adhesive (PL Premium, Loctite PL): wood plate to floor.
• Epoxy: anchor bolts.

Plastic to plastic (same type)

PVC to PVC: PVC primer + PVC cement. Apply primer first, then cement; press together immediately.

ABS to ABS: ABS cement (yellow / brown). DON'T use PVC cement.

CPVC to CPVC: CPVC cement.

PEX to PEX: NO cement; uses mechanical fittings (crimp, push-to-connect, expansion).

Polypropylene + polyethylene: very few adhesives bond; mechanical fasteners typically. 3M Acrylic Adhesive 9485PC may work.

Plastic to plastic (dissimilar types)

PVC to ABS: TRANSITION cement (specifically labeled for both). NOT PVC OR ABS cement alone - fails.

ABS to PVC: same transition cement.

Plastic to PEX: use approved transition fittings, not adhesive.

Plastic to metal

Polyurethane OR epoxy:

• PVC to brass fitting: Teflon-based pipe sealant + threaded mechanical (don't bond adhesively)
• Plastic part to metal panel: epoxy OR 3M VHB tape OR silicone

Metal to metal

Welding is preferred for structural.

Adhesive options:

• 2-part epoxy (3M, JB Weld) - high strength
• Cyanoacrylate (small parts; not structural)
• Methacrylate (industrial; bonds painted + dissimilar metals)
• 3M VHB tape (heavy-duty mounting)

Metal to concrete

• Epoxy anchor (Hilti, Powers, Red Head)
• Mechanical anchor (wedge, sleeve)

Glass to glass

• UV-cured adhesive (specialty)
• Silicone for non-structural
• Polyurethane for autoglass

Glass to metal

• Silicone (windshield bond)
• Polyurethane (autoglass urethane)
• UV-cured (display + glass furniture)

Ceramic / porcelain (tile, dish)

• Epoxy: structural repair
• Cyanoacrylate: small chips
• Specialty ceramic adhesive: for outdoor tile

Rubber to anything

• Cyanoacrylate (small repairs)
• Contact cement (rubber to rubber, rubber to leather)
• Construction adhesive (rubber pads, gaskets)

Trade-specific adhesive picks

HVAC

• Refrigerant flare: refrigerant oil (light bond) - flare nut does sealing
• Mastic (UL 181): duct seams
• Foil tape: insulation
• Silicone: condensate pan repair

Plumbing

• PVC cement (purple primer + clear cement OR colored)
• ABS cement (yellow OR brown)
• CPVC cement
• Transition cement for PVC ↔ ABS
• Pipe dope OR PTFE tape for threaded joints
• Plumber's putty: under sink rims (not for high-pressure)
• Silicone: sink mounting

Electrical

• Wire-nut + electrical tape (not strictly adhesive)
• Self-fusing rubber tape for splices
• Silicone: outdoor junction box, conduit entry
• Construction adhesive: cable mounting (rarely)
• Hot glue: temporary, light-duty

Roofing

• Roof flashing cement: asphalt-based
• Roofing nails + sealant: typical
• Polyurethane sealant: penetration sealing
• Liquid roof coating: large repairs

Drywall + interior

• Joint compound: not adhesive but bonds drywall paper
• Liquid nails: trim, baseboards
• Construction adhesive: panels, paneling

Tile

• Thinset mortar: floor + wall tile
• Mastic (organic adhesive): wall tile only, light areas
• Epoxy adhesive: heavy-traffic floors

Cabinetry

• PVA wood glue: face frame, joinery
• Polyurethane: structural OR moisture-exposed
• Construction adhesive: assembly to wall

Garage door

• Construction adhesive: not common; mechanical fastening
• Silicone: door seal OR threshold
• Epoxy: occasional spring component repair

Adhesive application basics

Surface preparation:

• Clean (dust, grease, paint)
• Dry
• Roughen (sand) for smooth surfaces
• Solvent wipe

Open time:

• Time from applying to mating
• Varies 30 seconds - 30 minutes by product
• Don't exceed open time = bond fails

Cure conditions:

• Temperature: 60 - 90°F typical
• Humidity: most prefer 30 - 70% RH
• Pressure / clamp: yes for most; varies by product
• Time: 30 minutes light handling, 24 hours full cure typical

Coverage:

• Thin layer on both surfaces typically
• Excess adhesive squeezed out is fine; wipe before cure

Common adhesive mistakes

Wrong adhesive for plastic type: PVC cement on ABS = failure.

Skipping primer on PVC: bond weak.

Wet surface: silicone won't bond, water-based glue fails.

Cold weather application: most adhesives slow cure < 50°F; some don't cure.

Painted surface: paint must accept adhesive; sometimes sand to bare.

Wrong open time: too quick or too slow = no bond.

No clamping: gravity isn't enough for many adhesives.

Excess adhesive: doesn't make stronger bond; wastes material.

Wrong adhesive for thermal expansion: rigid adhesive on dissimilar materials = crack.

Special situations

Wet / outdoor exposure: marine sealant (3M 4200, 5200), polyurethane.

High temperature: silicone (300°F+), polyurethane high-heat versions, epoxy specifically rated.

Food contact: USDA-approved adhesives (specific products labeled).

Medical / drug contact: USP class VI rated.

Underwater: epoxy underwater products (J-B Water Weld).

Removing failed adhesive

Mechanical: scraper, putty knife, sander.

Chemical:

• Mineral spirits (silicone, polyurethane partially)
• Acetone (CA, super glue, some plastics)
• Goof Off / Goo Gone (commercial)
• Isopropyl alcohol (light residue)

Heat: heat gun softens hot melt, some adhesives.

References

• ASTM D907 (adhesive performance standards)
• Adhesive + Sealant Council technical data
• Manufacturer technical data sheets
• Manuall internal: Sealant + Caulk Selection, Common Fittings Reference