Hello Fellow Modelers,
Any suggestions about adhesives for bonding Steel to Steel. I have a specific application where I need to bond (not silver solder), a garden gauge locomotive's 3mm dia steel axle ends to Steel wheels, using a suitable epoxy or CA, that will withstand a huge shear force of 15kg and work at temperatures under 50 deg celcius.
Thanks in anticipation.
Regards
Nilanajan Paul

Try using the 8 hour epoxy or any other longer curing time epoxy....
I saw a video where some kind of CA was used to stick steel plates together... can't find it now

you can try JB WELD . thats what i use in my 8th scale buggy exhaust system. 160f temps no issues. cant say much on strength.  

Longer curing epoxy will be your best bet. But surface preparation must be perfect. I would advice you provide some mechanical support if possible (Through bolts or rivets).

Loctite 603

5 Min Steel Filler Epoxy Glue

0.91$ (0.86$ if you are a platinum member, or if you wait on the page long enough, one of the HK gimmick)

i have used it to add a nipple to the exhaust, works fine, can be drilled, milled & ground

You could try roughening with emery paper, degreasing then CA. Try on some scrap first

Sent from my GT-S7562 using Tapatalk 2

thank you Gentlemen for the suggestions.
Looks like i have 3 options here, viz JB weld, Loctite603 & steel filler.
Regards
Nilanjan Paul

I doubt whether any other solution other than welding would support that much shear force. Epoxy, etc. might be OK for tensile strength but I doubt about it's bonding strength to withstand 15 kg shear force in 3mm area.

In spite of the fancy name - steel filler and jb weld are basically epoxy - i.e resin and hardener .
That way you can use Araldite - one of the oldest and most easily available epoxies.
loctite 603 is an anaerobic retaining compound used for retaining bearing onto shafts - i.e much
like the original use. We use it in industrial machinery gearboxes - and while I'm not sure of the shear strength - I'm sure it will be more than adequate for your purpose - its also available easily in any
good hardware shop like those in Chandni area.
Another option is two part acrylic glue - also easily available in chandni area. cures faster and dries harder
than epoxy.

When Super Glue was first introduced (as Loctite 495 in the early 80s) their ad on US TV was lifting a car with a helicopter, after inserting a steel plate and putting cyano both sides

Saikat,
do you know a good source for loctite 603, I am unable to find any in Calcutta.
Regards
Nilanjan

There are some big hardware shops on Ganesh Chandra Avenue - Starting from Hind Cinema

Ask there - you will be sure to get.

Also posting an image of a commonly available acrylic glue - this will dry rock hard

Hello Saikat,
thanks for the info.
I will check on G.C Avenue, as a matter of fact my model railway factory is adjacent to Hind Cinema.
Regards
Nilanjan

@nilanjan: since you are looking at some strength in the bonding, the best would be argon welding.
Araldite doesnt hold up long.

Shreekant

@rooster - read the original post - he does not want to even silver solder
so any form of welding is out.

In any case tig welding is highly specialised and overkill for this.

Like killing a cockroach with an atom bomb

I get the argon welding done for my Boats all the time and not all  expensive .
This could be one option that Nilanjan can look at if the joint needs strength.

Shreekant

Hello Rooster,
welding is not an option. I do have TIG/MIG & silver soldering facilities at my workshop as we are garden railway locomotive manufacturers. My company website is www.pline.in
For this particular model a 45mm gauge loco, I cannot weld as all the cosmetic body work is in photo-etched brass and is soft soldered to the chassis.
Regards
Nilanjan

Initially you had mentioned steel wheel to steel axle. Brass can be brazed. If you can machine with sufficient accuracy (ream I/D of wheel, cylindrical grinding on shaft) then you can use a heat shrink fit; tolerances for 3 mm shrnk fit will be available in a Machinery Handbook

Sir
the wheels and axle are steel, but the chassis is brass.
regards
nilanjan

Admit it's a bit late, but look up COLD-WELD or FLAMELESS-WELD

I have gone for loctite 603 & its related activator.
Advise came in from a customer in holland.
Regards
Nilanjan Paul

Try these Instant adhesive bonding glue, this will give the best bonding between metal.