What kind of glue bonds styrofoam

As an Amazon Associate, TactileHobby. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Skip to content. By Rich in Crafting. Polystyrene Polystyrene is made from styrene, so it is a synthetic material. Styrofoam Styrofoam is a trademarked brand. Conclusion Hot glue is the best glue to use on Styrofoam, but make sure you use a low heat setting because it can begin to melt if it gets too hot.

Search for:. Share on facebook. Share on pinterest. Share on email. Share on print. I'm a hobby enthusiast with a real love for painting miniatures. I also happen to run this site and write the majority of its content! Prev Previous. Next Next. For the strongest hold, use a thin, even layer that covers the entire surface. If you're not looking for a very strong hold, it's also OK to use beads or lines of glue. If you are working with a very large piece of Styrofoam, consider pouring the glue into a tray, and applying the glue with a paintbrush.

This will ensure that the glue goes on quickly and evenly, which prevents any sections of glue from drying while others are still being applied. If you are working with small pieces, consider using white tacky glue or a hot glue gun. If you are using a hot glue gun, plan to work quickly. The glue will set and harden within minutes. Consider reinforcing Styrofoam balls with toothpicks. If you are going to glue two Stryofoam balls together, you might want to stick a toothpick into one of them.

This will help "hold" the two balls together. Round objects have far less surface area than flat objects, after all. Attach the Styrofoam. When you're ready, press your piece of Styrofoam into the other surface.

Press down gently to ensure that all of the glue comes in contact with the other surface. Depending on the type of glue and the amount you used, you'll usually have at least a minute or so during which you can easily slide your Styrofoam around, so use this time to make any minor adjustments that you need to. For extra hold, you may want to apply a little extra glue around the edges of your Styrofoam where it meets your other surface. Don't use any more than necessary to make a thin line or seam—this will prolong the drying process.

Allow time to dry. Next, all you need to do is wait! Depending on the size of your project, the type of glue you used, and the amount of glue you used, your drying time may vary from just a few minutes to many hours.

Don't disturb your project while it dries or you may need to re-apply glue and start the drying process over. If necessary, use sturdy objects like books, boxes, etc. Hot glue will set up faster when it is colder. Some glues will need more time to set, especially if it is very cold or humid. Be wary of Styrofoam's relatively low strength. Most of the gluing methods described in this article for gluing Styrofoam are at least somewhat strong and shouldn't fail under normal conditions once the glue has dried.

The same can't be said of Styrofoam itself, which is an exceptionally weak, fragile building material. Remember to handle styrofoam with care even after drying is complete—it's not hard to accidentally chip or break Styrofoam projects on walls, door frames, or other obstructions, glue or no. Not Helpful 14 Helpful Hot glue in a low heat glue gun will work. If it has higher heat, it may melt the Styrofoam. Not Helpful 8 Helpful Brush it on with a small brush, then let the two parts partially dry.

When it becomes very tacky, join the two parts and the bond will form. Not Helpful 30 Helpful I have used Tacky Glue; the instant hold is useful, and stops the beads from falling off as you apply to the rest of the ball. Not Helpful 1 Helpful 4. Apply Mod Podge to the big ball, then roll the Styrofoam ball in the Styrofoam beads. Not Helpful 7 Helpful 9. You could try the white glue that is mostly used for paper, but if you have some clear silicone, that may work better. Toxic glues tend to dissolve styrofoarm items.

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 7. Selleys Mirror, Metal and Glass Adhesive will bond styrene overnight. Always ask for guidance at your local store if you are still unsure.

Your styrofoam glue should be free of solvents. Solvents will melt and dissolve your styrofoam surface. Such solvents include; acetone and gasoline. A non-solvent based glue for styrofoam will be your best bet. Solvents will also typically contain toxic fumes, and also be bad for your health. When glueing styrofoam with other surfaces, do not use hot glue such as a hot glue gun.

A Lot of styrofoam glues have an instant grab feature. Fitting the pieces together with maximum durability. Not sure how to glue styrofoam to your surface? Our Cleaning king team have carefully laid a general plan below, to guide you in glueing styrofoam to your desired consistency.

These steps will depend entirely on the other non-styrofoam surface you are using and the glue you are using. Incorrectly choosing the wrong type of glue for styrofoam, polystyrene, or XPS foam can quickly melt and destroy the surface. Especially with solvent-based adhesives and hot glues. Your DIY and industrial projects are important to you, so choosing the right glue will be crucial for longevity and durability.

Its spray bottle makes glueing styrofoam to other various surfaces efficient. The Glue is made with a premium formula and can be used for commercial and simple glueing of styrofoam, or XPS foam. Bonding with maximum durability. Its adjustable nozzle can be adjusted for wide or thin spraying on your surfaces.

This is essential for any sort of arts and crafts projects that require small details. Its low VOC nature makes it great for a first time user who may not be sure how glue may affect them, their family, and their pets.

The Glue can be applied to styrofoam and be glued to wood, fabrics, metals, paper and leather. It will also work well with other types of foams. The Glue works well-glueing foam to various surfaces such as; fabric, paper, cardboard and wood and is fast-acting.

The glue dries quickly and clearly. It works with surfaces such as paper, wood and metal. The size is perfect and easy to use large amounts. It can be applied with a caulk gun for easy application in small areas. This adhesive is unlike other glues mentioned. It works on different types of surfaces not mentioned in other glues like; brick, drywall and concrete.

However, its XPS specialised formula will take longer to set and dry with a cure time of 7 days. It can be used outdoors and indoors and weather-resistant—overall an excellent glue for insulation foam boards or polystyrene.

When looking for glues, it is essential to remember what type of job the styrofoam is for, such as for arts and crafts projects to industrial jobs such as insulation.

This will come down to the durability and toughness of the glue. It may become difficult to paint over the glue or even remove it. Most adhesives will be permanent. If you are not sure where the final styrofoam or XPS foam will be placed, a bond that allows repositioning will be essential to trial where it will end up. Another thing to note is for yourself. Some general glues may contain solvents like acetone or toluene.

These solvents will dissolve and melt your styrofoam and XPS foam. By now, you should have a better understanding of the types of glues or adhesives for polystyrene, styrofoam and XPS foam. Superglue, also known as Cyanoacrylate, can glue styrofoam to other surfaces. It should be used with care, as it can cause the styrofoam to melt slightly. Polystyrene is a solid plastic that can be made into various consumer products. XPS foam stands for Extruded polystyrene insulation.

XPS foam is made differently from standard styrofoam in that it undergoes through an extrusion process. You will need to buy specially formulated XPS foam adhesives. Styrofoam is known as expanded polystyrene foam or eps foam. Styrofoam is used for arts and crafts related projects and thermal insulation. Depending on the strength of eps foam, it is excellent for not absorbing water and vapour. VOCs also known as Volatile Organic Compounds, are chemicals that tend to evaporate at room temperature.

These chemicals tend to emit harmful fumes that may irritate your respiratory system. Breathing these fumes may become toxic to people with respiratory-related illnesses and even those without. A solvent is a chemical that is a substance where a solute is dissolved. Styrofoam and other polystyrenes can be dissolved in an acetone solvent. Hot glue guns should be avoided as the hot temperature will melt the foam surface.

If there is no other option, you should glue the other non-styrofoam surface and then glue that to the styrofoam. Takes some time to cure.

Single purpose product. Weldbond is a trusted name within the adhesive industry that has been around for decades and services a wide range of adhesion needs. Their Multi-Purpose Adhesive Glue is one of the most popular products within their catalog due to its ability to safety and strongly bond a wide range of materials, including ones that could potentially melt like polystyrene.

This is regarded by many reviewers as the best multi-purpose product that works with polystyrene, making it a worthy contender for any project that requires a strong but non-corrosive bond. Plus, it is very affordable and easy to use due to the no-mess tip and squeeze bottle style application.

It even gives a smooth, even finish, making it a good fit for usage with visible spots for repairs or smaller detail work. Smooth finish. Easy to use. No Mess. Hardens quickly. Has strong smell. Difficult to clean up if spilled. Here we have some good old PVA glue, otherwise known as white glue or wood glue. This is a universal or all-purpose product, one that can be used for Styrofoam, wood, paper, fabrics, and more. This product is designed to stick to most building materials, and it can even be used as a primer too.

In terms of applications, when it comes to gluing, there is not much that this product cannot do. Ideal for building materials. Just as good for arts and crafts. Strong bond. Works on most materials. Long drying time. This is a perfect product to use for gluing styrofoam, as it is specially designed to prevent styrofoam from melting and foaming.

Moreover, this product is ideal for bonding various porous materials such as styrofoam, paper, and more. That said, something that is not exactly awesome here is how this product can take up to a full 7 days to fully cure. Great hold. Designed for styrofoam. Works with most porous materials. Will not melt foam.

Weather resistant. Super long curing time. This tacky glue makes it easy to stick just about anything together, including polystyrene. And after it dries you get a clear, flexible adhesive that helps complete your art project. Works on porous and semi-porous surfaces. Dries clear. No run formula. May not stick to laminate. May take longer to dry on felt and similar materials. Tombow is a great adhesive brand that offers a wide selection of glue for almost any project.

Their mono multi liquid glue is ideal for creating memorable scrapbooks, collages and even polystyrene creations. And with its precision tips, this glue dries clear - without leaving any odor behind once dry. Dual-tip applicators, a broad tip and pen tip. Safe to use on photographs. Ideal for artistic applications. While some people may assume using hot glue on polystyrene is a bad idea, the Surebonder Clear Stic glue stick begs to differ.

These hot glue sticks are gentle enough to adhere to lace, ribbon and even balloons without issue. It sticks and dries within 60 — 65 seconds. Fast drying time. Ideal for applications that require speed. Usable sticks for high, low and dual-temp glue guns.

Can be used on metal, wood, glass, styrofoam, leather, fabric and more. May not work with certain types of plastics. This glue can adhere polystyrene to anything and even bond other materials, such as fabric, to metal. The slim tip makes it easy to apply the glue wherever you need it. Non-toxic formula. Dries clear and flexible. Works with most materials including metal, styrofoam, plastic, ceramics, wood and more.