Is acrylic adhesive the same as epoxy?

Epoxy adhesives and acrylic adhesives are staples in both household repairs and industrial manufacturing, available in a wide range of formulations. They have key differences in their properties, so choosing the right one is essential to meet your project requirements. The following explains their key differences and provides selection tips.

Differences between epoxy and acrylic adhesive

1. Curing properties: After curing, the rigid structural epoxy adhesive is hard and rigid — but has poor toughness. Acrylic structural adhesive is tough and flexible — offering better impact and separation resistance. Both can achieve very high strength bonding effects.

2. Curing rate and shrinkage: Fast-curing acrylic stone adhesives cure significantly quicker than durable epoxy adhesives at room temperature; however, they generally experience greater curing shrinkage than epoxy  glue.

3. Application experience and performance: The epoxy structural adhesive are more user-friendly than acrylic adhesive during application. The low-odor epoxy adhesive creates a more comfortable work environment, and also offer superior resistance to high temperatures.

How to select the right adhesive?

1. Adhesive Materials:

Before bonding, choose the right structural adhesive based on the materials and your project needs.

(1) Rigid Materials (e.g., marble, granite, quartz): Use high-strength epoxy glue for a durable and long-lasting bond.

(2) Flexible Materials (e.g., solid surface, composite panels): Use flexible  acrylic solid surface adhesive to prevent stress-induced cracking.

2.Adhesive Solutions by Application:

(1) Rapid Cure (e.g., emergency repair, assembly lines): Use acrylic adhesive for its fast curing speed to minimize downtime.

(2) Structural Strength (e.g., stone cladding, precision assembly): Use epoxy adhesive for long-term stability and superior bond strength.

Select the right adhesive—epoxy or acrylic adhesive—based on your project's materials, strength needs and conditions. A informed choice ensures a strong, long-lasting bond.