Material guide
Gluing Stainless steel
Corrosion resistant steel used for kitchen fittings, fixings, worktops and outdoor hardware.
Also called 304 stainless, 316 stainless, inox, stainless.
How Stainless steel behaves when you bond it
The same passive chromium oxide layer that stops it rusting also makes it slicker to bond than mild steel, and polished finishes are worse again. Abrading to a matte key changes the result more than switching adhesive.
Stainless steel is a high-energy non-porous alloy protected by a passive chromium-rich oxide. Clean matt finishes bond readily, while mirror polish, oil and rapid recontamination reduce mechanical key.
Material properties
- Surface energy
- High, which helps adhesion
- Porosity
- Non-porous
- Rigidity
- Rigid
- Maximum service temperature
- 200C
- Normally needs abrading
- Yes
- Normally needs a primer
- No
- Recommended abrasive grit
- 120-220 grade (3M general preparation range for steel and scoring-resistant metals when blasting is unavailable.) Manufacturer verified
Surface preparation
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.
Which adhesives work on Stainless steel
Excellent
Structural acrylic
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 the surface first.
Excellent
Two-part epoxy
Two-part epoxy 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 the surface first.
Good
Anaerobic adhesive, threadlocker and retainer
Anaerobic adhesive, threadlocker and retainer 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 the surface first.
Bonding Stainless steel to something else
Stainless steel to XPS foam board
Stainless steel to Polyurethane foam
Stainless steel to EPS (polystyrene foam)
Stainless steel to Stainless steel
Resin 3D print to Stainless steel
Stainless steel to Plywood
Stainless steel to Pine
Stainless steel to Oak
Stainless steel to MDF
GRP / fibreglass to Stainless steel
PETG to Stainless steel
Acrylic to Stainless steel
Last reviewed 8 October 2026.