Material guide
Gluing Glass
Window glass, glassware, mirrors, tabletops and splashbacks.
Also called glazing, toughened glass, window glass.
How Glass behaves when you bond it
High surface energy and perfectly smooth, so adhesives wet it beautifully and grip well when it is clean. The bond line is visible and often in a wet or sunlit place, so UV and water resistance usually matter as much as strength.
Glass is a rigid smooth high-energy substrate that wets readily when perfectly clean. Moisture at the interface, fingerprints and differential expansion in glass-to-metal joints can reduce durability; transparent work also exposes bubbles, haze and yellowing.
Material properties
- Surface energy
- High, which helps adhesion
- Porosity
- Non-porous
- Rigidity
- Rigid
- Maximum service temperature
- 150C
- Normally needs abrading
- No
- Normally needs a primer
- Yes
- Requires surface treatment
- (For the cited 3M structural-adhesive process, glass is degreased and then treated with a silane primer after optional hidden-surface abrasion.) Manufacturer verified
Surface preparation
Degrease thoroughly with lint-free materials and do not touch the cleaned area. For the 3M structural-adhesive process, abrade or grit-blast hidden surfaces where acceptable and apply the specified silane primer. Use UV adhesive only when light can reach the complete bond line and the glass transmits the cure wavelength.
Which adhesives work on Glass
Excellent
Two-part epoxy
Two-part epoxy 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.
A primer or activator is needed.
Excellent
UV cure adhesive
UV cure adhesive 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.
Good
Silicone sealant
Silicone sealant 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.
Bonding Glass to something else
ABS to Glass
Resin 3D print to Glass
Polycarbonate to Glass
PLA to Glass
PETG to Glass
Nylon to Glass
Glass to Natural stone
uPVC to Glass
GRP / fibreglass to Glass
Acrylic to Glass
TPU to Glass
Stainless steel to Glass
Last reviewed 8 October 2026.