May 12, 2025
When it comes to choosing a structural adhesive, you need to make sure that you find one that works for your application. There are a lot of similar products available, so it can be hard to determine which one is right for your specific needs.
To help you narrow down your choices, our team compares and reviews ITW Plexus® MA530, SikaFast 3551, and Infinity Bond MMA 530. These three products are similar in formula and can be used for many of the same applications.
Similarities & Differences
With several years of experience in the adhesives industry, we review the product specs and compare Plexus MA530, SikaFast 3551, and Infinity Bond MMA 530.
All these are two-component methacrylates with a 1:1 mix ratio that require minimal surface preparation before application. Because of their similar chemistries, they also work well on the same types of substrates and in many of the same applications. With great tensile strength, impact resistance, fatigue endurance, and gap-filling capabilities, these adhesives are good options for many structural bonding applications.
They vary in their work times, fixture times, and open times, but they all have longer open times compared to many other MMA adhesives. There are also some other differences between Plexus MA530, SikaFast 3551, and Infinity Bond MMA 530, including chemical resistance, application temperature, shelf life, and other properties.
A Closer Look
Now that you have a general idea of some similarities and differences between Plexus MA530, SikaFast 3551, and Infinity Bond MMA 530, we take a closer look at what makes each product unique and when to choose each.
|
Plexus® MA530 |
SikaFast 3551 |
Infinity Bond MMA 530 |
Chemistry |
methacrylate |
methacrylate |
methacrylate |
Mix Ratio |
1:1 |
1:1 |
1:1 |
Substrates |
Thermoplastics, metals, and composites |
Top coats, metals, and plastics |
Thermoplastics, metals, and composites |
Surface Preparation |
minimal |
minimal |
minimal |
Application Temperature |
between 65°F (18°C) and 85°F (30°C) |
between 50°F (10°C) and 95°F (35°C) |
between 65°F (18°C) and 85°F (30°C) |
Work Life* |
30 to 40 minutes |
Not listed |
25 to 40 minutes |
Shelf Life |
6 months |
9 months |
12 months |
*These values are approximate. Manufacturers often use different parameters for determining adhesive properties. Refer to the manufacturer's datasheet for detailed specifications. If you have questions, don't hesitate to contact us.
Plexus® MA530 Product Review
Plexus is a popular and trusted name in the adhesives space. As a result, the Plexus MA530 glue is a common and reliable choice for many businesses.
It is a non-sagging gel that is best applied between 65°F (18°C) and 85°F (30°C). It has good resistance to hydrocarbons, moderate acids, moderate bases, and salt solutions. A full review of the Plexus MA530 methacrylate shows that it is designed primarily for large structural applications involving composites or metal when a moderate open time is needed. Compared to SikaFast 3551 and Infinity Bond MMA 530, the Plexus MA530 adhesive is certified for low chemical emissions.
One disadvantage of Plexus MA530 is that it only has a six-month shelf life. Another downfall of Plexus MA530 is the price. Because Plexus is a name brand in the adhesives industry, the cost of Plexus MA530 tends to be higher than the cost of SikaFast 3551 or Infinity Bond MMA 530. If either one of these products could do the job just as well, then it may be worth switching your adhesive.
SikaFast 3551 Product Review
Our team also did a full review of SikaFast 3551. It is similar to the ITW Plexus MA530 adhesive with a few important differences. It is ideal for structural applications to replace mechanical fasteners when a longer open time is needed. It is also a thixotropic, non-sagging paste.
Compared to Plexus MA530, SikaFast 3551 has a lower peak exotherm. The shelf life of the SikaFast 3551 adhesive is also longer than that of Plexus MA530's shelf life at 9 months instead of 6 months. In terms of the price of SikaFast 3551, this adhesive tends to be the middle choice. It is not as expensive as Plexus MA530, but it is usually not as cost-effective as the price of Infinity Bond MMA 530.
Infinity Bond MMA 530 Product Review
While not as well-known as the Sika and Plexus products, the Infinity Bond MMA 530 adhesive is another great choice for several structural bonding applications involving metals, composites, and plastics. It is chemically very similar to Plexus MA530 and is made for almost all the same applications. With a working time of 25 to 40 minutes, it has a longer open time. It also has great chemical resistance to hydrocarbons, acids, bases, vinegar, and most household foods.
Perhaps the best pro of Infinity Bond MMA 530 is the price. Compared to Plexus MA530 and SikaFast 3551, Infinity Bond MMA 530 tends to be the most cost-effective adhesive solution. It can still provide the same great high-quality bonds as the other two products but at a lower cost. Further review of Infinity Bond MMA 530 shows that it also has the longest shelf life at 12 months.
While the adhesive can be used in some gap-filling applications, the Infinity Bond MMA 530 glue is not a UV-stable adhesive as it will yellow over time.
Choose the Adhesive for You
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing an adhesive for your application. Plexus MA530 is a trusted name brand that is certified to have low chemical emissions. SikaFast 3551 can be great if you are looking for a lower peak exotherm or a lower application temperature. Finally, Infinity Bond MMA 530 is a more budget-friendly solution for the same results and most of the same applications as the Plexus adhesive.
If you are still unsure which adhesive best suits your needs, we want to help. Contact our team, and we can provide you with a customized adhesive recommendation, whether or not it is one of these products. You can also order some of these products below to test on your own.