When metal parts operate at high temperatures, choosing the right adhesive is critical. Heat can weaken a bond. Repeated heating and cooling can create stress. Vibration can make the problem worse.
A high temperature metal adhesive must therefore do more than resist heat. It should also suit the metal, joint design, movement, vibration and working environment.
This guide explains how to choose a high temperature adhesive for metal, the main adhesive types, common industrial applications, and when a flexible MS polymer adhesive such as Supex 620 may be suitable.
What Is a High Temperature Metal Adhesive?
A high temperature metal adhesive is designed to maintain its required bonding or sealing performance when exposed to elevated temperatures.
However, temperature ratings need careful interpretation.
There is a difference between:
- Continuous temperature: long-term exposure to a set temperature.
- Intermittent temperature: short periods of higher temperature.
- Thermal cycling: repeated heating and cooling.
For example, an adhesive rated for 210°C intermittent exposure should not automatically be considered suitable for continuous operation at 210°C.
The actual application should always be checked against the manufacturer’s technical data.
Why Is High Temperature Metal Bonding Difficult?
Heat is only one part of the challenge. Industrial metal joints can face several stresses at the same time.
Thermal expansion
Metal expands when heated and contracts when cooled.
Different metals expand at different rates. This is important when bonding materials such as:
- Aluminium and steel
- Stainless steel and aluminium
- Metal and rubber
- Metal and plastic
- Metal and composites
A flexible adhesive can help absorb this movement.
Thermal cycling
Many industrial parts are not exposed to one fixed temperature.
They may repeatedly go through:
Heating → expansion → cooling → contraction
Over time, these cycles can put stress on the adhesive joint.
An adhesive that performs well during one heating cycle may not be suitable for thousands of cycles. Thermal-cycle resistance should therefore be considered during product selection.
Vibration
Automotive parts, machinery and industrial equipment can experience constant vibration.
A very rigid adhesive may not always be the best choice for a joint that moves. A flexible adhesive can help absorb vibration and reduce stress at the bond line.
Surface condition
Metal surfaces can contain oil, grease, dust, oxide layers or other contaminants.
Poor surface preparation can reduce adhesion, even when the adhesive itself has excellent temperature resistance.
How to Choose a High Temperature Adhesive for Metal
Before choosing a product, look at the complete application.
1. Check the operating temperature
Identify:
- Normal operating temperature
- Maximum temperature
- Exposure duration
- Frequency of temperature peaks
- Thermal-cycle frequency
Do not select an adhesive based only on the highest temperature shown in a product brochure.
2. Consider thermal movement
If two materials expand at different rates, the adhesive must accommodate their movement.
This is especially important for dissimilar metals.
3. Consider vibration and load
Ask whether the joint will experience:
- Vibration
- Impact
- Shear
- Peel
- Compression
- Repeated movement
The adhesive should match the type of load.
4. Check substrate compatibility
Common industrial bonding combinations include:
- Steel to steel
- Aluminium to aluminium
- Steel to aluminium
- Stainless steel to aluminium
- Metal to rubber
- Metal to plastic
- Metal to glass
5. Check the environment
Consider exposure to:
- Water
- Humidity
- UV light
- Oils
- Chemicals
- Salt
- Outdoor weather
6. Consider production requirements
The adhesive should also fit your manufacturing process.
Look at:
- One-component or two-component formulation
- Cure time
- Working time
- Primer requirement
- Application method
- Gap-filling capability
Types of High Temperature Adhesives for Metal
Different adhesive chemistries offer different performance characteristics.
| Adhesive type | Main advantage | Flexibility | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Epoxy | High strength | Low to moderate | Rigid metal joints |
| Structural acrylic | Strength and toughness | Moderate | Structural bonding |
| Silicone | Heat resistance and flexibility | High | Sealing applications |
| Polyurethane | Tough and flexible | High | Dynamic assemblies |
| MS Polymer | Flexibility and environmental resistance | High | Bonding and sealing |
There is no single best high temperature metal adhesive for every application.
The correct choice depends on the temperature, substrates, joint design and operating environment.
For a broader comparison of adhesive technologies, see our guide to Types of Metal-to-Metal Adhesives.
Epoxy vs Silicone vs MS Polymer
Epoxy
Epoxy adhesives are often chosen when high strength and rigidity are important.
They can work well for static metal joints where there is limited movement.
However, rigid systems may be less suitable for applications with significant vibration or thermal movement unless the specific formulation is designed for those conditions.
Best suited for: rigid, high-strength joints.
Silicone
Silicone adhesives and sealants offer excellent flexibility and high-temperature resistance.
They are often used where sealing and movement are more important than structural strength.
Best suited for: flexible, high-temperature sealing applications.
MS Polymer
MS polymer adhesives combine adhesion with flexibility.
They can be useful when a metal joint is exposed to heat, vibration or movement.
For industrial applications, this combination can make MS polymer a useful alternative to more rigid bonding systems.
Best suited for: dynamic joints, mixed substrates and applications requiring flexibility.
Supex 620 High Temperature MS Polymer Adhesive
Supex 620 is a one-component MS polymer adhesive designed for demanding bonding and sealing applications.
The product provides intermittent temperature resistance up to 210°C. It also forms a permanently elastic bond, which can help accommodate movement and vibration.
Key features include:
- Up to 210°C intermittent temperature resistance
- One-component formulation
- No mixing required
- Permanently elastic bond
- Primerless adhesion on many suitable substrates
- UV and weather resistance
- Abrasion resistance
- Paintability
- Suitable for mixed-material bonding
Supex 620 can be used with substrates such as metals, rubber, plastics, glass, concrete and wood, subject to application suitability.
Explore Supex 620 High Temperature MS Polymer Adhesive
When should you consider Supex 620?
Supex 620 may be worth evaluating when an application requires a combination of:
Heat resistance + flexibility + vibration resistance + environmental durability
Potential applications include:
- Metal-to-metal bonding
- Metal-to-rubber bonding
- Metal-to-plastic bonding
- Automotive components
- Industrial machinery
- Heating equipment
- Fabrication
- Powder-coating processes
- Outdoor assemblies
- Marine applications
Important: The 210°C rating refers to intermittent exposure. Continuous operation at 210°C should not be assumed. Always evaluate the actual temperature profile and consult the relevant technical data before production use.
High Temperature Metal Adhesive Applications
Automotive
Automotive components can experience heat, vibration and repeated movement.
High temperature adhesive can be considered for suitable applications involving:
- Brackets
- Panels
- Heat-related components
- Metal assemblies
- Mixed-material components
The temperature at the actual bond line should be considered during product selection.
Industrial Machinery
Machinery can expose adhesive joints to heat, vibration, oils and repeated thermal cycles.
A flexible adhesive can be useful where the joint needs to accommodate movement.
Heating and Oven Equipment
Metal panels, fittings and brackets used around heating equipment may experience repeated heating and cooling.
The adhesive must be selected according to the actual operating temperature and exposure time.
Powder Coating
Powder coating introduces another temperature challenge.
The adhesive must be able to tolerate the coating process without losing its required performance.
Supex 620 is specified for applications involving powder-coating heat cycles. The actual production process should still be validated before full-scale use.
How to Apply High Temperature Adhesive to Metal
Good surface preparation is essential for reliable bonding.
Step 1: Clean the surfaces
Remove oil, grease, dust and other contamination.
Step 2: Prepare the surface
Smooth or coated surfaces may need additional preparation. Follow the adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations.
Step 3: Apply the adhesive
Apply a consistent bead or layer to the recommended surface.
Step 4: Assemble
Bring the components together within the recommended working time.
Step 5: Allow the adhesive to cure
Do not expose the joint to full heat or load before adequate curing has taken place.
Cure time can depend on temperature, humidity, bond-line thickness and joint design.
Always follow the product’s technical data sheet for production applications.
Continuous vs Intermittent Temperature
This distinction is important when selecting a high temperature adhesive for metal.
Consider two applications:
Application A: Normally operates at 120°C and briefly reaches 200°C.
Application B: Operates continuously at 200°C.
Both applications have a maximum temperature of 200°C, but the adhesive requirements are very different.
Before selecting an adhesive, provide your supplier with:
- Normal operating temperature
- Maximum temperature
- Exposure duration
- Number of thermal cycles
- Substrates
- Mechanical load
- Environmental conditions
This information allows a more accurate technical assessment.
Is Supex 620 Right for Your Application?
Supex 620 can be considered where the application requires intermittent high-temperature resistance combined with flexibility.
It may be suitable where the bond is exposed to:
- Thermal cycling
- Vibration
- Differential movement
- Moisture
- Outdoor exposure
- Mixed substrates
If your application involves continuous high-temperature exposure, temperatures beyond the specified range, or significant structural loads, contact the Supex technical team before selecting the adhesive.
Need help choosing a high temperature metal adhesive?
Send us:
- Substrate: steel, aluminium, stainless steel, rubber, plastic, etc.
- Normal temperature
- Maximum temperature
- Continuous or intermittent exposure
- Application: bonding, sealing, assembly or repair
- Joint size
- Environment: indoor, outdoor, moisture, oil or chemicals
Our technical team can help you identify a suitable adhesive and discuss sample requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best high temperature adhesive for metal?
There is no single best adhesive for every application.
The correct choice depends on temperature, exposure time, substrate, joint design, load and environment.
For applications combining intermittent heat with vibration and movement, a flexible MS polymer such as Supex 620 may be worth evaluating.
What adhesive can withstand high temperatures on metal?
Epoxy, silicone, structural acrylic and MS polymer formulations can be used for different high-temperature applications.
Always check the manufacturer’s continuous and intermittent temperature specifications.
What adhesive can withstand 200°C?
Some specialised adhesives can withstand temperatures around 200°C or higher.
Supex 620 is specified for up to 210°C intermittent exposure. It should not be assumed to be suitable for continuous operation at 210°C.
How do you bond metal to metal at high temperature?
Clean and prepare the surfaces, select an adhesive suitable for the temperature and substrates, apply it correctly, assemble the parts and allow adequate cure time before applying full heat or load.
Can adhesive handle thermal expansion between metals?
Yes, some adhesives can accommodate movement caused by thermal expansion.
Flexible adhesives are often worth considering when different metals expand at different rates.
Is epoxy better than MS polymer for high-temperature metal bonding?
Not always.
Epoxy may be preferred for rigid, high-strength joints. MS polymer may be advantageous where flexibility, vibration resistance and movement are important.
Can high temperature adhesive be used for powder coating?
Some adhesives are designed to withstand powder-coating heat cycles.
Supex 620 is specified for powder-coating applications, but the actual production temperature and exposure time should be validated before use.
Can high temperature adhesive bond aluminium and steel?
Yes. Adhesive bonding can be used for dissimilar metals such as aluminium and steel.
The adhesive should be able to accommodate differences in thermal expansion, and both surfaces should be properly prepared.
Choose the Adhesive for the Complete Application
A high temperature rating alone does not determine whether an adhesive will work.
For reliable industrial bonding, consider:
Temperature + thermal cycling + movement + vibration + substrate + environment + joint design
If your metal components operate at elevated temperatures and also experience movement or vibration, a flexible high temperature adhesive may be worth considering.
For applications requiring a flexible MS polymer solution with up to 210°C intermittent temperature resistance, explore Supex 620.
Need help selecting the right adhesive? Contact Supex with your application details for technical assistance and sample guidance.
Related Supex Resources
- Types of Metal-to-Metal Adhesives – Compare different adhesive technologies and their applications.
- Metal Adhesive vs Welding – Understand when adhesive bonding can be an alternative to conventional joining.
- Complete Guide to Epoxy Adhesives – Learn more about epoxy adhesive technology and applications.
- Supex 620 High Temperature MS Polymer Adhesive – View product specifications and technical information.