Gluing aluminum to aluminum or just about anything else

[Sand crab]

I know epoxy can be used for this but it has some drawbacks so I was looking for an alternative. I just built a cabover camper using sheets of aluminum for the exterior. I had a few overlapping seems and tried out a few things but came across this new (to me) product from Liquid Nails called Fuze*It. This stuff rocks, it's easier to work with than epoxy and forms a just about indestructible bond. They say it will bond just about anything else too. I reckon it will be good for boaty stuff too.

https://www.liquidnails.com/fuzeit

[LakeSuperior]

There is a nice article in June 2020 Practical Sailor about low temperature brazing of Al. This is a much lower temperature process and doesn't require the equipment or skill needed for welding Al.

It is more like soldering with a propane torch and can be used to join thin cross-sections. The rods containing the flux can be bought at Home Depot.

[a64pilot]

The little Grumman aircraft were held together with adhesives as opposed to rivets. It was called Hysol which I believe is a form of epoxy.
Bonding as it’s called it very attractive from a manufacturing standpoint.

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

The little Grumman aircraft were held together with adhesives as opposed to rivets. It was called Hysol which I believe is a form of epoxy.
Bonding as it’s called it very attractive from a manufacturing standpoint.

As an engineer I called out hysol in many applications for avionic component assembly back in the late 70's and early 80's.

[robwilk37]

ive bonded AL to itself, wood, G10 etc with epoxy. i work the wet epoxy into the surface with a 220 abrasive sponge to remove the oxide layer and prevent it reforming before the epoxy kicks-off. in 30yrs ive never had a failure...

[CarlF]

West G/flex epoxy

Sand just before applying glue.

https://www.epoxyworks.com/index.php/aluminum-adhesion/

[Jim Cate]

So, back to the OP: has anyone got a report on the Liquid Nails Fuze-It product? Like does it work well for anything maritime, what is the nature of the adhesive is it widely available?!

Sounds potentially useful to me.

Jim

[RaymondR]

If you want a bit of flexibility as well as a good bond there is a sealer called Trex and the two pack putty from the plumbing section of Bunnings is exceptional for patching holes in alloy dingies.

[Reefmagnet]

Buses and caravans have had aluminium panels glued in place forever. Whether they've stayed that way is debatable


The glue is a polyurethane type. Sika 252 is one such product.

[Sand crab]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

So, back to the OP: has anyone got a report on the Liquid Nails Fuze-It product? Like does it work well for anything maritime, what is the nature of the adhesive is it widely available?!

Sounds potentially useful to me.

Jim

I couldn't tear the stuff apart that I glued together. They say it will work in wet or dry or freezing temps including harsh weather and inside the dishwasher. I am guessing maritime might be in this category. It is a low odor polymer which you can buy at all the home improvement stores here in the states but not sure about elsewhere. It is made by PPG and also is called LN-2000. It won't stick to polyethylene, polypropylene, teflon, EPDM and TFO.

[jen1722terry]

I've used Marinetex for aluminum for decades. Can't say if it works better than thickened epoxy, as I've never compared the two. Doesn't run and cures in a reasonable time. May be more expensive than others products, not sure.

Good luck!

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by Sand crab

I know epoxy can be used for this but it has some drawbacks so I was looking for an alternative. I just built a cabover camper using sheets of aluminum for the exterior. I had a few overlapping seems and tried out a few things but came across this new (to me) product from Liquid Nails called Fuze*It. This stuff rocks, it's easier to work with than epoxy and forms a just about indestructible bond. They say it will bond just about anything else too. I reckon it will be good for boaty stuff too.

https://www.liquidnails.com/fuzeit

I used Liquid Nails for bonding to aluminum some 35yrs. ago. Still holding. Horrors it doesn't say marine.

[a64pilot]

Speaking of PTFE, ever wondered how it’s bonded to anything? What kind of glue sticks to Teflon?

[Cheechako]

We tested some special glue offered commercially. It came in a caulking tube, may have been some kind of modified thick CA glue actually, it was clear. They were trying to convince use to use it in lieu of welding stringers inside aluminum boat bottoms.

For the test we glued a stringer 2.5" x 2.5" to a piece of 1/4" aluminum plate. After hardening we had one of our big guys use a sledge hammer to try to break it off. Long story short, it couldn't be done. We didn't go forward with it, but could have probably.
Wish I could remember the product...

[Cheechako]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Speaking of PTFE, ever wondered how it’s bonded to anything? What kind of glue sticks to Teflon?

We used to spray PTFE on aircraft parts. Part of the wing anti icing system. It isn't glued, it's sprayed on as a very fine powder clinging to the metal, then it is baked to melt it to the surface you see like on frying pans.