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Difficult

How to glue Stainless steel to Silicone rubber

The short answer

A primed cyanoacrylate is the best-supported starting point for Stainless steel to Silicone rubber. The exact pair is an evidence-based assessment from the cited manufacturer scopes, not a manufacturer-tested pair claim. Prepare both faces as specified, maximise overlap, minimise peel and validate a representative coupon before critical use.

Why this bond behaves the way it does

A primed cyanoacrylate matches the joint's porosity, stiffness and gap needs better than the listed alternatives. The recommendation is graded C because the manufacturer evidence supports the constituent substrate classes but does not report this exact pair.

What to use

Best choice

Cyanoacrylate

Use a primed cyanoacrylate as the first route because the cited product and preparation documents cover the controlling substrate classes. This exact pair remains an explicit inference.

Primer: Use only the primer named for the selected silicone or cyanoacrylate system.

Gaps: Use only on the thin, close-fitting joint stated by the exact grade.

Curing: Do not confuse initial grab or handling strength with full cure.

Watch out: Coupon-test the exact substrate grades and surface finish.

Also works

Silicone sealant

A flexible silicone adhesive or sealant is an alternative only when a current product document covers both actual faces, the bond-line thickness and the service environment.

Primer: Use only the primer named for the selected silicone or cyanoacrylate system.

Gaps: Maintain the bond line stated by the manufacturer and do not clamp it dry.

Curing: Do not confuse initial grab or handling strength with full cure.

Watch out: Coupon-test the exact substrate grades and surface finish.

Also works

Two-part epoxy

A toughened two-part epoxy is an alternative only when a current product document covers both actual faces, the bond-line thickness and the service environment.

Primer: Use only the primer named for the selected silicone or cyanoacrylate system.

Gaps: Maintain the bond line stated by the manufacturer and do not clamp it dry.

Curing: Do not confuse initial grab or handling strength with full cure.

Watch out: Coupon-test the exact substrate grades and surface finish.

Avoid

Hot melt, hot glue

Avoid ordinary general-purpose adhesives on cured silicone. Its low-energy surface usually needs a silicone-specific adhesive or the exact primer and cyanoacrylate system named by the manufacturer.

Primer: Use only the primer named for the selected silicone or cyanoacrylate system.

Gaps: Maintain the bond line stated by the manufacturer and do not clamp it dry.

Curing: Do not confuse initial grab or handling strength with full cure.

Watch out: This avoidance is for the ordinary unqualified family, not a specialist grade with explicit manufacturer evidence.

What to avoid

Avoid ordinary general-purpose adhesives on cured silicone. Its low-energy surface usually needs a silicone-specific adhesive or the exact primer and cyanoacrylate system named by the manufacturer.

Preparing the surfaces

Stainless steel

Degrease, abrade to a uniform matt profile with clean non-ferrous media, solvent-clean again and dry. 3M gives 120-220 grade as its general range for steel and scoring-resistant metals. Avoid carbon-steel contamination and bond promptly; use a qualified pretreatment for maximum environmental durability.

Silicone rubber

Remove release agent with isopropanol and let the surface dry. For the Permabond cyanoacrylate process, apply POP primer, allow it to dry and bond promptly with the specified grade. Do not assume that this primer helps epoxy, acrylic or UV adhesives; it is product-system specific.

How to do it

Dry-fit first. Meter, mix or prime exactly as the selected product requires. Apply a controlled bond line, assemble within working time, clamp without squeezing the joint dry and leave supported through the full stated cure.

Working, clamping and cure times

Follow the current Permabond 105 with POP Primer instructions. Working time, handling strength and full cure are different. Cold conditions, thick beads and two impermeable faces can extend the cure.

If the conditions are harder

ConditionVerdictNotes
Outdoor use Not enough evidence The cited product evidence does not establish a complete outdoor system for this exact pair, including UV, freeze-thaw, edge sealing and differential movement.
Water and wet areas Not enough evidence No cited document establishes continuous wet service for the exact pair. Keep it dry until a product-specific exposure test or specification is available.
Heat and cold Not enough evidence The cited evidence does not give a complete service-temperature range for this exact assembly. Do not infer one from adhesive chemistry alone.

Read the current safety data sheet. Provide ventilation, protect skin and eyes, and test an offcut for solvent attack, staining, stress cracking or coating lift. This is not an engineering approval for safety-critical loads.

Products that fit

Ordered by how well they suit this specific job. Nothing is ranked by what it pays.

Permabond Permabond 105 with POP Primer

Cyanoacrylate

The manufacturer documentation covers the controlling substrate class, but this exact dissimilar pair remains an assessed use requiring a coupon test.

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Related guides

Where this comes from

Reviewed 8 October 2026. Overall confidence: Inferred.

Sources used for this guide:

Always read the instructions and safety information supplied with the product you buy. Where they differ from anything here, follow the manufacturer.