How to Bond Steel (Tin) to Plywood
Combining sheet steel with plywood is a technique used in everything from furniture manufacturing to the construction of modular buildings. Whatever your task requires, you need an adhesive that will provide a secure, reliable bond that stands the test of time.Â
How do you get this versatile sheet metal to stick? Read on and find out exactly how to bond steel to ply.
Industry Use of Sheet Steel and Plywood
Sheet steel, particularly tin-plated steel, is an excellent choice for environments susceptible to moisture or humidity. Its tin coating gives it a protective shield, guarding against problematic corrosion and oxidation.
These properties make it a reliable and durable material for various decorative and practical applications. In furniture manufacture, it is often laminated to substrates such as plywood to create sleek kickboards, worktops, cabinetry, and furniture. Within construction, it’s frequently bonded to plywood to form rigid steel-bonded plywood boards, which are essential for creating external wall panels used on modular buildings.
In either case, you need a durable, rigid bond that matches the steel’s excellent properties and confidently stands the test of time.
How to Glue Plywood to Steel
First, prepare the sheet steel metal. It must be abraded and cleaned before bonding. Two-part primers can also help when applied correctly.
Now for the adhesive. For a strong and dependable bond between steel and plywood, it’s advisable to use an adhesive specifically designed for metal bonding. We’d recommend a contact adhesive or PU glue.Â
Contact Adhesive:
For most straightforward applications, a good quality contact adhesive will give you a fast and permanent bond needed for attaching sheet steel to plywood.Â
You can use hand-applied glue such as Tremco Illbruck CT704, which has excellent water resistance and a final bond which can withstand temperatures up to 75°c. Alternatively, opt for a spray contact adhesive such as Tensorgrip L12 Contact Adhesive. This glue has fantastic grab, good heat resistance and easy application control.Â
The main advantage of both contact adhesives is that they arrive ready to use. Neither option requires mixing, so you can optimise your time and work productively.Â
High-Performance PU Glue:
High-performance construction Polyurethane (PU) glue embodies Adkwik’s three-pillar problem-solving approach of making your adhesive faster, safer and cost-effective.Â
PU glue not only bonds metal and timber but also adheres to most forms of insulation. Its versatility makes it suitable for a broad spectrum of construction materials, both indoors and outdoors, significantly reducing the amount of adhesive that needs to be stored on-site. As a bonus, this construction glue is free of solvents.
The two-part PU kit is easy to mix and quickly distributed using a notched trowel or scraper, eliminating reliance on expensive equipment. In combination, these qualities help to reduce task completion time significantly.Â
Shop industrial quantities of quality PU glue such as Timbond X600 PU Adhesive 5kg.
Seek Guidance from AdkwikÂ
If you need a solution to a unique adhesive problem, please contact Adkwik. With decades of experience under our belt, we can identify the right product for your work, no matter how tricky the challenge may be.
Whether helping you find the perfect glue solution or evaluating your application process, we are keen to take on projects that will get your work back on track.Â
For more information or technical advice, contact the team at Adkwik today by calling 01223 412373 or filling out our handy online contact form. You can also keep up with industry insights by reading further articles on our blog.Â
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