For PLA, PETG and ABS prints, Prusa and Loctite point to super glue first. Acetone can weld ABS and PLA, but Prusa says PETG resists every solvent a hobbyist has.
By filament
| Filament | Super glue | Solvent | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | Loctite calls a good super glue the best way | Acetone works, Prusa says | Heat: Loctite says some epoxies heat up as they cure, and Prusa says activators can deform PLA |
| PETG | Suitable, per Prusa and Loctite | None: Prusa says PETG is inert to hobby chemicals | Loctite says plumber’s cement isn’t compatible with PETG |
| ABS and ASA | Suitable, per Prusa (Loctite names ABS) | Acetone, Prusa says | Loctite Extreme Glue’s data sheet lists sanded ABS, and also says not for use on ABS |
From Prusa Research’s gluing guide and material pages and Loctite’s 3D printing articles. Loctite Epoxy Plastic’s data sheet also lists ABS.
Super glue on prints
Prusa says the layer lines on a print help super glue grip rather than hurt. Loctite’s PLA steps: fit the parts closely, make them clean and dry, sand them lightly, hold them together for 15 to 30 seconds, and allow up to 24 hours for a full cure. Loctite names its Super Glue Gel Control for PLA.
- White haze: Prusa says fumes from a lot of super glue leave white frosting around the joint.
- Peel and twist: super glue resists pulling apart far better than twisting or peeling, Prusa says.
- Cold: it turns brittle when frozen, and Prusa says it isn’t suited to outdoor use in temperate or arctic climates.
Epoxy, solvents and other options
Prusa notes that epoxies cure in anywhere from under 90 seconds to over 12 hours, and suggests a few dots of super glue to hold the parts while epoxy fills the rest. Loctite says epoxies make rigid bonds, so a flexible print needs a glue that stays elastic. Solvent welding melts the surfaces together, and Prusa points out it can’t be undone.
Bambu Lab’s liquid glue, sold by a printer maker, is for the print bed: it helps a print stick while it prints, and isn’t for joining parts.
Loctite says to wear the protective gear the product’s instructions call for and to work where there’s good airflow, and Prusa says ventilation matters twice as much with glues. No source we read says a glued print is safe for food.
Gluing a print to something else?
Glue finder