April 28, 2025
Using the right adhesive is imperative if you want lasting results. Especially if you are using an adhesive for a structural application, you need a product that will not fail, or the consequences could be devastating.
While many products may be able to get the job done, you want to make sure you choose the right one for your specific application and budget. With over 50 years of adhesive industry experience, our team reviews ITW Plexus® MA550, including its virtues and potential downfalls. We also compare Plexus MA550 to Infinity Bond MMA 550 to see if this similar product may be a better fit for your needs.
Plexus® MA550 Product Review
Plexus MA550 is a two-part methacrylate that is designed for the structural bonding of various substrates, including metals, composites, and thermoplastics. The product is known for its strength and durability with great fatigue resistance, impact resistance, toughness, and lap shear strength. It has excellent resistance to hydrocarbons, acids, bases, and salt solutions. The adhesive also has the added benefit of being UV stable and is commonly used in the marine industry as a result.
Although it has many great properties, further review of the Plexus MA550 glue shows that the product does have some downfalls. Being that Plexus is a well-known name brand, the cost of Plexus MA550 can be steep. Coupled with the concern of price increases on Plexus products and the current state of the economy, some businesses may find the price of Plexus MA550 beyond their budget.
A Potential Alternative?
With price such a cause for concern, our team did some investigation into other products in the market that have the same benefits as Plexus MA550 but may be available at a lower price. Infinity Bond MMA 550 stood out.
Below we compare Plexus MA550 versus Infinity Bond MMA 550 to give you the full picture on whether or not this alternative product could be right for you.
Similarities
Let's start with the similarities. When searching for another product option, formula is a good place to start. Both the Plexus MA550 adhesive and the Infinity Bond MMA 550 adhesive are methacrylates with a 10:1 mix ratio. They have very similar formulas that lead to similar properties and capabilities.
Like the Plexus product, the Infinity Bond adhesive is designed for the high-strength, structural bonding of metals, plastics, and other substrate materials. Both products boast excellent resistance to acids, bases, hydrocarbons, and more. The Infinity Bond product also contains a UV stabilizer to prevent degradation like color changes when exposed to UV light. Consequently, both products make for a great marine glue in the boating industry.
When comparing Plexus MA550 versus Infinity Bond MMA 550, it is important to also look at how the product comes. You want to make sure that if you change products, the new adhesive is compatible with your current equipment. Both adhesives are white and come in the following size options: 490-mL cartridges, 5-gallon pails, and 50-gallon drums.
Differences
While the formulas and capabilities are very similar, a full review of the Plexus MA550 adhesive and the Infinity Bond MMA 550 adhesive shows that there are some important distinctions.
Some notable differences between ITW Plexus MA550 and Infinity Bond MMA 550 is work time and handling time. While these values are approximate, the work time for Plexus MA550 is noted between 39 to 42 minutes at 75°F. The work time for Infinity Bond MMA 550 at 75°F is a larger range from 40 to 60 minutes. The Plexus MA550 product also reaches its handling strength between 70 to 75 minutes while the Infinity Bond MMA 550 methacrylate reaches its handling strength between 120 and 150 minutes. With a longer time range, the Infinity Bond product may be better suited for applications that involve adjusting and careful placement of components or bigger surface areas.
Perhaps the biggest difference between Plexus MA550 and Infinity Bond MMA 550 is the price. After a quick search online, we found that the current cost of the Plexus adhesive MA550 in a 490 mL cartridge is around $120 to $180, depending on the retailer. This is obviously subject to change. On the other hand, the Infinity Bond MMA 550 glue can be found online for less than half the cost.
Our Conclusion
After a full review of Plexus MA550 and Infinity Bond MMA 550, we found that there were only a few notable differences to take into consideration if you are looking to make the switch. For most businesses needing to tighten their belts, the choice is clear.
Fortunately, we carry Infinity Bond MMA 550 online in both cartridge form as well as in bulk volumes. If you have more questions about whether the Infinity Bond MMA 550 could work for you, contact one of our adhesive experts.
Plexus® is a registered trademark of ITW Performance Polymers. Gluegun.com is not affiliated with ITW Performance Polymers. All names and part numbers are used for comparison purposes only.
