# Need a glue to bond ABS to polyethylene **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 28, 2009, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-glue-to-bond-abs-to-polyethylene/501239 "2009-06-28T02:53:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![solkoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-glue-to-bond-abs-to-polyethylene/501239/1 "2009-06-28T02:53:05Z")
Any suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-glue-to-bond-abs-to-polyethylene/501239/2 "2009-06-28T02:59:09Z")
Polyethylene is almost impossible to bond securely without using heat. [This claims to bond PET](http://www.loctiteproducts.com/products/detail.asp?catid=17&subid=40&plid=661) ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-glue-to-bond-abs-to-polyethylene/501239/3 "2009-06-28T03:08:18Z")
Well a number of glues can attach the two materials to each other. I think you need to be a bit more specific in what your trying to do. My guess your talking about pipes. Though with your in depth details you could be talking about gluing your anti-lock break system to a plastic fender. In the case of pipes you typically don’t glue them to each other you thread an adapter on the abs or glue an ABS-poly adapter on the abs. ---
**Author:** ![solkoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-glue-to-bond-abs-to-polyethylene/501239/4 "2009-06-28T03:16:12Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Well a number of glues can attach the two materials to each other. I think you need to be a bit more specific in what your trying to do. > > My guess your talking about pipes. Though with your in depth details you could be talking about gluing your anti-lock break system to a plastic fender. > > In the case of pipes you typically don’t glue them to each other you thread an adapter on the abs or glue an ABS-poly adapter on the abs. OK, I was vague. I want to bond 1/4 " poly tube to ABS for the purposes of plumbing. The pipes are under pressure so I don’t want leaks. The previous response sounded interesting as LOCTITE is available at HOME DEPOT and I have one nearby. Now your saying that may not work. I have tried threading the poly tubing into the ABS but that has lead to multiple leaks. I will consider any and all options but the tubing has to be 1/4" and semi sturdy and the pipe had to be 1 1/2 ". I have 220 pieces to glue so don’t be too expensive or too complicated. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![solkoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/919ad9/32.png) [@solkoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solkoe)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-glue-to-bond-abs-to-polyethylene/501239/5 "2009-06-29T02:59:48Z")
Any new suggestions? ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-glue-to-bond-abs-to-polyethylene/501239/6 "2009-06-29T04:34:10Z")
I’ve been through this - trying to glue Nylon to Polypro. It’s not easy to do. The Loctite stuff works, sort of. I wouldn’t trust it for a long term leakproof seal. Reltek makes a two-part epoxy and primer that is supposed to glue anything to anything (including Teflon(!)). Here is an answer I got from Reltek: > [@](#): > > Yes, you should use our B-45TH. This is a 2 part, flexible epoxy with > excellent thermal, moisture, and solvent resistance. Surface prep is > minimal: abrade surfaces with 100-120 grit sand paper, and clean with > isopropyl alcohol. > > The B-45TH can be purchased through our distributor, McMaster-Carr Supply > Co. ([www.mcmastercarr.com](http://www.mcmastercarr.com)). Reference their part number 7513A3 for the 1.7 > oz. cartridge, or 7513A2 for the 1.5 Qt. kit. > > If for any reason you are unable to purchase through McMaster-Carr, please > contact us. > > Best Regards, > > Amy Lindberg > Customer Service > RELTEK, LLC > 2345 Circadian Way > Santa Rosa, CA 95407 > 707-284-8808 > 707-284-8812 Fax ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-glue-to-bond-abs-to-polyethylene/501239/7 "2009-06-29T04:57:05Z")
I think I would go with a slow setting cyanoacrylate. ---
**Author:** ![slitterst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecc23a/32.png) [@slitterst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slitterst)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-glue-to-bond-abs-to-polyethylene/501239/8 "2009-06-29T16:33:40Z")
When in doubt, check this site – [http://www.thistothat.com/](http://www.thistothat.com/) ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/need-a-glue-to-bond-abs-to-polyethylene/501239/9 "2009-06-29T16:39:59Z")
> [@slitterst](#): > > When in doubt, check this site – [http://www.thistothat.com/](http://www.thistothat.com/) Too vague to be useful.