<p>I've been a fan of epoxies for unusual adhesion problems. I found on <a href="https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/B000FW6322" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Amazon a product with titanium</a> in the name, but there's a caution regarding polypropylene plastics. </p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/DfKGn.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/DfKGn.jpg" alt="titanium epoxy"></a></p>

<p>PLA is not of that family of plastic, which gives it a good chance of success. Epoxy is typically more viscous than cyanoacrylates, giving you a bit more control of the application, but also creating the need for care with "ooze-out."</p>

<p>The big glue company, Gorilla, also makes an <a href="https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/B001Z3C3AG" rel="nofollow noreferrer">epoxy</a> that includes plastic and metal in the adhesion listing.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Y1OTc.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Y1OTc.jpg" alt="gorilla epoxy"></a></p>

<p>As PLA is somewhat sensitive to heat, one would consider that fast-cure epoxies generate more heat than slow-cure epoxy, but the amounts you'll be using are not likely to create enough for concern.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-07T13:07:15.693Z
"Titanium epoxy" sounds like a marketing term that doesn't actually have anything to do with titanium.
Tom van der Zanden
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-07T17:05:32.523Z
Marketing does go overboard in many circumstances. I suppose that since the packaging reads "contains titanium" they can get away with it. Of course, does 1 gram of titanium allow for such claims? Even what might be considered titanium debris would qualify and validate the packaging. Who can say if it adds strength to the product?
fred_dot_u
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-06T22:57:22.840Z
2018-02-06T22:57:22.840Z
fred_dot_u
<p>Try using one of the "gooey" forms of cyanoacrylate.  Any of the major brands sells this-- it has the consistency of toothpaste, so it  won't "run" along your pieces.  Here's one that I've used with success:
<a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003Y49R7G/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">loctite goo</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-07T12:58:49.233Z
2018-02-07T12:58:49.233Z
Carl Witthoft
<p>After perusing <a href="http://www.thistothat.com/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://www.thistothat.com/</a> I decided to give J-B Weld epoxy a try.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-11T20:29:39.503Z
So, how did the epoxy work for you? Your experiences could be very valuable to someone who has to deal with this question in the future.
Tom van der Zanden
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-10T17:21:44.200Z
2018-02-10T17:21:44.200Z
Ram Rachum
<p>Most glues will leave some type of visual stain.  The glues that won't leave some type of visual stain probably won't stick as well.  For example, you can use rubbery RTV type glues, but you will need surfaces designed to minimize the need for glue strength.  However, an advantage is the glue will flex.</p>
<p>My favorite is Gorilla impact resistant superglue.  Superglue breaks easily when flexed if not impact resistant.  If you want to go to the trouble, epoxies are best.  Rubbery type glues will work if you have enough surface area, especially if it is not all planar.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-21T11:48:28.000Z
2021-06-21T12:07:51.513Z
2021-06-21T12:07:51.513Z
Perry Webb
<p>A glue gun would IMO work very well, and you can use transparent (or almost transparent) glue sticks to minimize ugly looking stains.</p>

<p>Things glued together usually break before the glue (in my experience) and it's cheap, you can get one for $10 with some glue sticks. It's fun too, I glue everything since I bought one :-)</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-07T10:53:02.833Z
2018-02-07T10:53:02.833Z
Valmond
<p>I'd like to attach a piece I printed out of PLA to a small titanium rod. I've previously used Superglue (cyanoacrylate) to glue PLA pieces to each other with great success, but the problem is that if you don't apply it perfectly cleanly, it leaves very noticeable stains on the PLA.</p>

<p>Can anyone recommend a good glue for this application that won't leave stains like that? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-06T21:20:04.160Z
Not an answer... but have you considered tackling the problem from another angle (i.e.: still using cyanoacrylate but masking the PLA next to the part that need to be glued with some tape, that you can remove afterwards)?
mac
CC BY-SA 3.0
2018-02-07T12:57:17.817Z
Try using one of the "gooey" forms of cyanoacrylate.  Any of the major brands sells this-- it has the consistency of toothpaste, so it  won't "run" along your pieces.
Carl Witthoft
CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-06-21T11:57:47.283Z
@mac The water-thin CA glues will wick under any common masking material -- it makes the problem worse rather than helping, not to mention the issue with gluing the masking material to the part.
Zeiss Ikon
<pla><post-processing>
Glue for attaching PLA pieces to titanium
Ram Rachum
# Glue for attaching PLA pieces to titanium

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-02-06)

I'd like to attach a piece I printed out of PLA to a small titanium rod. I've previously used Superglue (cyanoacrylate) to glue PLA pieces to each other with great success, but the problem is that if you don't apply it perfectly cleanly, it leaves very noticeable stains on the PLA.

Can anyone recommend a good glue for this application that won't leave stains like that?

**Tags:** pla, post-processing
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Not an answer... but have you considered tackling the problem from another angle (i.e.: still using cyanoacrylate but masking the PLA next to the part that need to be glued with some tape, that you can remove afterwards)?  
> **username_2**: Try using one of the "gooey" forms of cyanoacrylate.  Any of the major brands sells this-- it has the consistency of toothpaste, so it  won't "run" along your pieces.  
> **username_3**: @mac The water-thin CA glues will wick under any common masking material -- it makes the problem worse rather than helping, not to mention the issue with gluing the masking material to the part.  

---

## 5 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2018-02-06. Score: 2

I've been a fan of epoxies for unusual adhesion problems. I found on [Amazon a product with titanium](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/B000FW6322) in the name, but there's a caution regarding polypropylene plastics.

[![titanium epoxy](https://i.sstatic.net/DfKGn.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/DfKGn.jpg)

PLA is not of that family of plastic, which gives it a good chance of success. Epoxy is typically more viscous than cyanoacrylates, giving you a bit more control of the application, but also creating the need for care with "ooze-out."

The big glue company, Gorilla, also makes an [epoxy](https://rads.stackoverflow.com/amzn/click/B001Z3C3AG) that includes plastic and metal in the adhesion listing.

[![gorilla epoxy](https://i.sstatic.net/Y1OTc.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/Y1OTc.jpg)

As PLA is somewhat sensitive to heat, one would consider that fast-cure epoxies generate more heat than slow-cure epoxy, but the amounts you'll be using are not likely to create enough for concern.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: "Titanium epoxy" sounds like a marketing term that doesn't actually have anything to do with titanium.  
> **username_4**: Marketing does go overboard in many circumstances. I suppose that since the packaging reads "contains titanium" they can get away with it. Of course, does 1 gram of titanium allow for such claims? Even what might be considered titanium debris would qualify and validate the packaging. Who can say if it adds strength to the product?  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2018-02-07. Score: 1

Try using one of the "gooey" forms of cyanoacrylate. Any of the major brands sells this-- it has the consistency of toothpaste, so it won't "run" along your pieces. Here's one that I've used with success:
[loctite goo](https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003Y49R7G/)


---

### Answer by username_0 on 2018-02-10. Score: 1

After perusing <http://www.thistothat.com/> I decided to give J-B Weld epoxy a try.

> **Comments:**
> **username_5**: So, how did the epoxy work for you? Your experiences could be very valuable to someone who has to deal with this question in the future.  

---

### Answer by username_6 on 2021-06-21. Score: 0

Most glues will leave some type of visual stain. The glues that won't leave some type of visual stain probably won't stick as well. For example, you can use rubbery RTV type glues, but you will need surfaces designed to minimize the need for glue strength. However, an advantage is the glue will flex.

My favorite is Gorilla impact resistant superglue. Superglue breaks easily when flexed if not impact resistant. If you want to go to the trouble, epoxies are best. Rubbery type glues will work if you have enough surface area, especially if it is not all planar.


---

### Answer by username_7 on 2018-02-07. Score: 0

A glue gun would IMO work very well, and you can use transparent (or almost transparent) glue sticks to minimize ugly looking stains.

Things glued together usually break before the glue (in my experience) and it's cheap, you can get one for $10 with some glue sticks. It's fun too, I glue everything since I bought one :-)


---

