All materials
Material
Aluminum
Window frames, bike parts, cookware, flashing
Default glue
The strongest rigid bond — but only on aluminum scuffed to bright metal and degreased.
Identify
How to tell it’s aluminum
Light for its size and non-magnetic. A rubbed or scuffed face turns bright silver; an untouched one is dull gray with a chalky oxide layer.
Character
What it’s like to glue
The dull oxide layer on the surface is what glue bonds to — and it flakes off under load. Scuff to bright metal and degrease right before gluing for a bond that lasts.
Alternatives
Other glues that work on aluminum
AvoidWood glue — it needs pores to soak into and peels straight off metal.
