Gluing aluminum

[tikka308]

I need to glue two pieces of 1/8" 6061 aluminum perpendicular to each other (like an upside down "T"). It's not structural or weight bearing, but I do want it as solid as possible.

I've been told three options:
1) Loc-tite two part metal epoxy (http://www.loctiteproducts.com/repai...=5&Product=159)
2) Liquid nails
3) Gorilla Glue.

Finish & appearance IS important; I want there to be as little (preferably no) gap as possible.

Any recommendations? Thanks!

[ckm]

epoxy is the only way to go. You should also look at jbweld and fusor products. Fusor in particular is used to bond minivan roofs to the body. Also, there is some great stuff called marine-tex.

In any case, you will have to rough the aluminum surface up a bit with 120-180 grade sandpaper. If you are really concerned about finish, tape up everything that will not be glued.

HTH,

Chris.

[High Seas]

JB Weld @ Home Depot or you favorite home store -
else MARINE-TEX - may have to find a boating store

Both work great and I wouldn't be on board without either! In a non-structural application they'll be stronger than required too.
Scratch and tape as Chris said and will you be painting or powderocoating the finished product. You might be able to add some die to Marine-Tex - but it and JB Weld finish out kinda grey.
Jim

[tikka308]

This is great - thanks guys. I'll definitely pick up some of the epoxy & JB Weld and - if possible - MarineTex. I will eventually be powder coating, but hopefully not the glued area.

This project is a week or two off, but I'll definitely post my results!

Thanks

[blackbeard52]

Also you can add a small amount of aluminum dust to the epoxy and burnish it to be pretty darn close.

bob

[LeeWay]

I don't know that any of the things mentioned will take kindly to extended 400 degree heat. Perhaps the JB weld may. I think it was originally design to fill scratches on cylinder walls of internal combustion engines.

There is a product called Lab Metal. There are two types. Low temp, which is the regular stuff for powder coating and high temp.

You could countersink then dowel and peen the parts and fill the gaps with this stuff. When powder coated, it will be hidden. I have used the regular stuff quite a bit to cover and hide rivets and other holes.
Another option is to adhere after powder coating.

[High Seas]

JB is good to 500 degrees F - have used Marine-tex on engine bit - but not near that hot!

[cam1]

Hi:
For extended elevated Temperatures try Omegabond 100 or 200. Another great line of products are Hysol expoxies , which are specifically formulated for Al with Al powder added.Loctite also makes some decent Aluminium epoxies.

regards

regards

[martinw]

Dear tikka308,

I may well have misunderstood your problem. Here goes...

Glue will not provide any strength at all on a 1/8 inch edge.

Drill and tap the two pieces, nice long screws, Bingo!

Best wishes,

Martin

[blackbeard52]

I think it is purely cosmetic and with JB weld it will withstand the heat needed to powdercoat..........

Bob