Adhesive type
Structural acrylic
Industrial-strength two-part acrylic that bonds difficult plastics and lightly contaminated metals where epoxy struggles.
Also sold as MMA adhesive, methacrylate adhesive, two-part acrylic, toughened acrylic.
Structural acrylics are reactive adhesives based on acrylic or methacrylate chemistry. MMA is the common trade shorthand, although formulations contain more than methyl methacrylate alone. Most are supplied as two parts. Mixing starts a rapid chemical cure at room temperature. The specified ratio matters, and a static-mixer cartridge is the safest way to keep it consistent. Some industrial systems put an activator on one surface and adhesive on the other, so follow that product's method rather than assuming every acrylic mixes like epoxy.
These adhesives are used for load-bearing assemblies in thermoplastics, composites and metals. They usually reach handling strength faster than ordinary epoxy and are tougher in peel, impact and vibration. Many tolerate a less elaborate surface treatment than epoxy, but that does not mean dirty surfaces are acceptable. Oil, oxide, weak paint, mould release and plasticiser can still make the bond fail. The smell can be strong and the reaction can become hot, especially in a thick mass. Working time ranges from a few minutes to well over half an hour across the family. Gap capability, flexibility and temperature resistance also vary markedly. Use the product's substrate list. Nylon, PE, PP, PTFE, copper alloys and bare or galvanised metals may need a different grade, a cleaner-conditioner or a primer.
At a glance
- Strength
- Structural
- Flexibility
- Semi rigid
- Gap filling
- High
- Water resistance
- Water resistant
- UV resistance
- Unknown
- How it cures
- Chemical reaction
- Typical working time
- 3 to 40 minutes
- Typical full cure
- 24 hours
- Typical service temperature
- -40C to 120C
- Needs clamping
- Yes
- Two part
- Yes
These figures describe the family in general. Always use the numbers on the datasheet for the product you actually buy.
What it is for
Structural bonding of thermoplastic housings and panels; composite and GRP assemblies; vehicle, marine and sign fabrication; joining coated metal to composite or plastic; replacing rivets or welds where the design and adhesive supplier permit it; fast production assemblies that need early handling strength and good impact tolerance.
Where it falls down
The short work time can turn a large assembly into scrap if you cannot mate and fixture it quickly. Mixing errors or a partly blocked static mixer leave weak streaks. The odour and flammable vapour make small unventilated rooms unsuitable. Exotherm can damage heat-sensitive plastic or build dangerously in a large puddle. Not every grade bonds bare metal, nylon or low-surface-energy plastic. Some need a metal conditioner. Long-term chemical resistance and heat strength differ sharply by grade.
Getting a good bond
Read the substrate and preparation table for the exact grade. Remove oil, dust, release agent, weak coating and corrosion. Abrade only where the manufacturer recommends it, then remove the dust without recontaminating the surface. Bring cartridges to the stated application temperature. Fit the correct static mixer and discard the first mixed portion if instructed. Apply enough adhesive to fill the designed bond line, mate the parts within the stated work time and fixture them until handling strength is reached. Do not copy an epoxy mix ratio.
Safety
Methacrylate structural adhesives can present a serious fire and exposure risk before cure. The representative adhesive SDS classifies it as a highly flammable liquid and vapour. It also lists harmful inhalation, skin irritation, serious eye irritation, respiratory irritation and allergic skin reaction. Keep it away from sparks, flames, heaters and hot work. Provide effective ventilation rather than relying on the smell as a warning. Prevent skin contact and use eye protection suited to splashes. Large mixed masses can become very hot. Check both component SDS documents because the adhesive and activator have different ingredients and hazards.
Materials it suits
| Material | Suitability | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Excellent | Structural acrylic is rated excellent for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. |
| Aluminium | Excellent | Structural acrylic is rated excellent for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| EPDM | Excellent | Permabond directly states that TA4605 and TA4610 bond EPDM without primer or surface treatment. This rating is confined to structural acrylics formulated for low-energy substrates, not every acrylic adhesive. |
| HDPE | Excellent | Structural acrylic is rated excellent for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. A named primer, LSE formulation or controlled surface treatment may be essential. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. |
| LDPE | Excellent | Structural acrylic is rated excellent for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. A named primer, LSE formulation or controlled surface treatment may be essential. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. |
| Mild steel | Excellent | Structural acrylic is rated excellent for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| Neoprene | Excellent | Permabond reports neoprene substrate failure in a TA4611 neoprene-to-polypropylene test and lists neoprene within the TA46xx rubber scope. These products also provide more gap and area capability than cyanoacrylate. |
| Nylon | Excellent | Structural acrylic is rated excellent for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. |
| PET | Excellent | Structural acrylic is rated excellent for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. A named primer, LSE formulation or controlled surface treatment may be essential. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. |
| PETG | Excellent | Structural acrylic is rated excellent for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| Polycarbonate | Excellent | Structural acrylic is rated excellent for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. |
| Polypropylene | Excellent | Structural acrylic is rated excellent for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. A named primer, LSE formulation or controlled surface treatment may be essential. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. |
| POM (Delrin) | Excellent | Structural acrylic is rated excellent for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. A named primer, LSE formulation or controlled surface treatment may be essential. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| Stainless steel | Excellent | Structural acrylic is rated excellent for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| Acrylic | Good | Structural acrylic is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. |
| Anodised aluminium | Good | Structural acrylic is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| ASA | Good | Structural acrylic is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| Cast iron | Good | Structural acrylic is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| Chrome plated metal | Good | Structural acrylic is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| Galvanised steel | Good | Structural acrylic is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. |
| GRP / fibreglass | Good | Structural acrylic is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| Nitrile rubber | Good | Permabond directly lists its TA46xx structural acrylics for nitrile rubber. They allow more working time, area and gap than cyanoacrylate. The surface still has to be clean, dry and grease-free. |
| PLA | Good | Structural acrylic is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| PLA+ | Good | Structural acrylic is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. Abrade first |
| TPE | Good | Structural acrylic is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. A named primer, LSE formulation or controlled surface treatment may be essential. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. |
| uPVC | Good | Structural acrylic is rated good for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. Suitability still depends on the other substrate, joint design and service environment. |
| Natural rubber | Conditional | A toughened acrylic may provide more working time and gap tolerance than cyanoacrylate, but the evidence found did not directly list natural rubber for the cited TA46xx range. Use only after product-level confirmation and testing. |
| TPU | Conditional | Structural acrylic is rated conditional for this material as an application-level assessment, not as a blanket manufacturer claim. The prepared surface must be sound and consistently keyed where the finish permits. Use only after a product-specific test on the actual grade and joint. Abrade first |
Products in this family
Permabond Permabond TA4630
Two-part structural acrylic with a product-specific table covering acetal, polyolefins, metals, PET-G and GRP.
Permabond TA4550
Two-part toughened acrylic adhesive documented for plastics, composites and metals, with manufacturer data for PLA, PET-G, ABS, aluminium and steels.
Permabond TA4610
Two-part toughened acrylic adhesive documented for dissimilar surfaces, including separate manufacturer performance entries for ABS and EPDM.
Last reviewed 8 October 2026.