Updated: September 04, 2025
When you need to adhere two or more surfaces together, it is not always as easy as grabbing whatever glue you have close by. Different materials require different adhesives, and using the wrong one could cause the bond to fail.
An Intro to Rubber
Rubber is a versatile material known for its flexibility, elasticity, insulation properties, water resistance, and abrasion resistance. It can take many forms and is used in a wide range of applications. You can often find rubber bonded to rubber or another substrate material in roofing, floor coverings, insulation, hoses, gaskets, medical supplies, automobile tubing, shoes, and much more.
In general, there are two main categories of rubber: natural rubber and synthetic rubber. Natural rubber is a material made from the latex polymers of trees. It is sometimes vulcanized to improve its durability. Synthetic rubber is a man-made, artificial polymer that is petroleum-based.
Bonding rubber is notably difficult compared to some other adhesives. It can have a high chemical resistance and low surface energy. Both properties can interfere with the adhesive's ability to bond to the surface. Different applications also require different electrical, thermal, chemical, and physical properties, so the best rubber adhesive for the job will vary from application to application.
Our adhesive experts review the best glues for gluing rubber to rubber or another material as well as tips on how to glue rubber for the best results.
The Best Rubber Glues for Different Rubbers
When determining which glue for rubber to use, you need to first take into account the type of rubber you are bonding. Some rubbers that you are most likely to encounter include nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, polyurethane rubber, silicone rubber, EPDM rubber, and natural rubber. There are countless others, but these are the ones we see most often in our daily lives in the form of things like hoses, gaskets, inner tubes, seals, etc.
In general, cyanoacrylate adhesives, more commonly known as super glues, are the best glue for rubber bonding for many different types of rubbers. Cyanoacrylates cure in just seconds and lets you know quickly whether or not the bond will hold. When applying, only a tiny drop is needed, and just make sure both surfaces are squeezed together tightly.
If the bond fails quickly, you may be dealing with one of the more challenging types of rubber, such as natural rubber, silicone rubber, or EPDM. For natural rubber or EPDM, try using a specialist cyanoacrylate, such as Infinity Bond Rubber and Plastic Super Glue or ASI RP Series Cyanoacrylate Super Glue. If you are working with silicone rubber, you will need to use a primer before applying the adhesive.
How to Glue Rubber
Bonding rubber is notably difficult compared to some other adhesives, but proper adhesive surface preparation is the first step to a successful bond.
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Perform a thorough solvent degrease to remove things like slip additives, mold release, and other processing lubricants. A quick wipe with isopropanol is usually your best bet, as acetone may be too strong for certain types of rubber.
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Let the substrate completely dry before applying the adhesive.
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Apply the adhesive to one of the substrates. You typically only need to use a small amount.
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Push the two substrates together, and the bond should set quickly.
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Leave the glue to dry for as long as recommended.
While properly cleaning the surfaces and applying the adhesive as directed increases your chance of a successful bond, sometimes a different glue for rubber is needed. For best results, always follow the application recommendations from the manufacturer.
Bonding Rubber to Other Substrates
Bonding rubber to rubber together can be challenging enough, but bonding rubber to something else can be even harder. The best adhesive for rubber-to-rubber bonding may not be the best choice to bond rubber to another material. When you need to glue rubber to plastic, metal, glass, or another substrate, you need to consider the properties of each and your ultimate goal.
Cyanoacrylates- While cyanoacrylates are often the best glue for rubber bonding, they cannot always be used on some plastics as they can eat through the material. A specialty product like the 3M™ PR1500 that is a plastic-to-rubber adhesive may be required.
Epoxies- When bonding rubber to plastic or another material, epoxy adhesives also tend to be a good choice. Epoxies are known for their great strength, and they effectively allow you to bond rubber to plastic, metal, or glass.
Silicones- For smaller projects, fast-curing silicone compounds are another option. These adhesives can form strong but flexible bonds. They are UV-resistant, chemical-resistant, and moisture-resistant adhesives.
Get the Right Rubber Adhesive for Your Application
The best glue for rubber will depend on a variety of factors, as a good rubber glue for one application may not be a good fit for another rubber application. We not only have a diverse collection of plastic adhesives for sale online, but also our experts can review your substrates and application to recommend an adhesive solution that is best for your specific needs.
Avoid adhesive failure, and contact us for a free, personalized product recommendation.
