How to Attach Styrofoam

Styrofoam is a soft, lightweight material renowned for its insulating and soundproofing properties, as well as its use in packaging products. It's also a popular choice for crafts and various other DIY projects. Whether you're working on a school project or simply crafting something for yourself, your Styrofoam creation will be sturdier (or as sturdy as possible for foam-based items) if you know how to properly bond Styrofoam to other surfaces (including other pieces of Styrofoam). Check Step 1 below to get started!

Mặc dù keo dán thủ công cơ bản có thể dán xốp Styrofoam, nhưng nhiều loại keo chuyên dụng khác sẽ tạo liên kết chắc hơn. Hãy tham khảo bảng dưới đây để biết các loại keo dùng để dán Styrofoam vào các bề mặt khác nhau dùng trong dự án thủ công.

Các loại keo tốt nhất để dán những vật liệu phổ biến

Giấy	Vải	Gỗ	Kim loại	Thủy tinh	Styrofoam
Keo đa năng (vd, Weldbond), Keo xịt (vd, 37 MM), Keo nóng	Keo đa năng, Keo xịt, Keo nóng	Keo polyurethane (vd, Gorilla Glue), Keo nóng, Keo dính tiếp xúc	Keo epoxy kim loại, Keo nhồi epoxy, Keo nóng	Keo epoxy, Keo đa năng, Keo xịt	Keo đa năng, Keo xịt, Keo dính tiếp xúc

Use basic craft glue for simple needs. For simple art and craft projects, the easiest way to stick Styrofoam is by using regular school glue. This basic glue works well for many purposes, especially for bonding Styrofoam to construction paper, cardboard, and wood. It's often the most affordable and accessible option, ideal for basic projects.

• School glue (such as Elmer's) is safe, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. However, it is quite runny and can get messy.
• Clear glues like Eileen's are thicker and less prone to making a mess.
• Keep in mind that school glue is cheap and unstable, not as strong or durable as specialized adhesives, so it’s not suitable for projects where Styrofoam will be under pressure (like a Styrofoam slide, etc.).
• Since it's liquid, school glue is best for bonding large Styrofoam blocks together.

Use Styrofoam glue. Believe it or not, some adhesives are made specifically for Styrofoam. These types of glue, often labeled 'Styrofoam glue,' are usually inexpensive but harder to find than regular school glue. Styrofoam glue is typically available at craft or hardware stores.

• If you're planning to purchase Styrofoam glue, make sure to check the label first. Some Styrofoam glues are specifically made for Styrofoam, while others are designed to bond Styrofoam to other materials.

Use spray adhesive. Spray adhesives (available at hardware stores for about $10/can in the U.S.) are a quick and convenient solution for gluing Styrofoam. Additionally, because spray adhesives are often made for multi-purpose use, they work well with various materials. For example, an inexpensive multipurpose spray adhesive can be used to bond Styrofoam to metal, plastic, paper, and wood.

• Consider testing the adhesive on a hidden spot first. If the can doesn’t specify whether it’s safe for Styrofoam, you should test it first. Some spray products, like spray paints, can melt or dissolve Styrofoam.
• Since spray adhesives are typically slow-drying, they're best used for bonding large Styrofoam blocks together. You should avoid using spray adhesive to glue two Styrofoam balls.

Use a low-temperature glue gun. A regular glue gun can certainly be used to bond Styrofoam to various materials like paper, cardboard, wood, etc. However, when using a glue gun with Styrofoam, the lower the temperature, the better. High-temperature glue guns can burn or melt Styrofoam, producing toxic smoke.

• With its high precision, a glue gun is ideal for bonding small Styrofoam pieces together. It’s also great for gluing Styrofoam balls.
• Although the smoke produced from burning Styrofoam isn’t immediately harmful, it should not be underestimated as it contains hazardous chemicals, including styrene and benzene, which are suspected carcinogens.

Don’t use glue designed for a specific material. When it comes to bonding Styrofoam, you should generally avoid glues designed specifically for certain materials that aren’t Styrofoam (e.g., wood glue, fabric glue, construction epoxy, etc.). While some of these adhesives may work for Styrofoam, they are often less effective than basic craft glues and can be a waste. Additionally, some specialized glues may dissolve Styrofoam and other plastics (see below).

Avoid using adhesives with solvents that can dissolve plastics. Styrofoam is lightweight and delicate, and people often forget that it is made from plastic. Essentially, Styrofoam is a type of “foamed” plastic — meaning it’s mixed with air to reduce its weight. Since Styrofoam is plastic-based, it’s crucial to avoid adhesives containing solvents that can dissolve plastic. These adhesives can corrode Styrofoam, causing a gooey mess and ruining your work.

• For example, vulcanized rubber adhesive, a strong and flexible type of glue, often contains both alcohol and acetone. Acetone, the active ingredient in nail polish remover, can dissolve many plastics, making it unsuitable for Styrofoam. However, some vulcanized rubber glues without acetone may work with Styrofoam.

Clean and prepare the surfaces. Styrofoam is easy to work with once you’ve found the right adhesive—all you need to do is apply glue to the Styrofoam, press it onto another surface, and wait for it to dry. However, before applying the adhesive, it’s important to wipe the surfaces clean with a dry cloth to remove any dust or dirt. Applying adhesive to dirty or dusty surfaces can weaken the bond, reducing its strength.

• If you plan to adhere Styrofoam to a surface with 'many gaps' (like a piece of wood with noticeable surface imperfections), the adhesive bond may be weaker. In this case, you should sand the surface to make it smoother and more even—try using 200-grit sandpaper or higher.

Apply the adhesive. Once you're ready, you can apply glue to the Styrofoam. For the strongest bond, apply a thin, even layer of glue across the entire surface. If you don’t need a strong bond, you can dab or swipe a line of glue instead.

• If the Styrofoam piece you’re bonding is very large, pour the glue into a tray and use a brush to spread it. This method will help you apply the glue quickly and evenly, preventing it from drying out while you’re still spreading it.
• If the item you're bonding is small, consider using glue stick or a hot glue gun.
• If using a hot glue gun, be quick. The glue will dry within a few minutes.
• Consider using a toothpick to reinforce Styrofoam balls. If you want to glue two Styrofoam balls together, insert a toothpick between them. The toothpick will help 'hold' the two balls together. Round objects always have smaller surface areas compared to flat ones.

Begin gluing the Styrofoam. Once you're ready, press the Styrofoam piece onto the surface you want to adhere it to. Apply gentle pressure to ensure the glue makes contact with the other surface. Depending on the type and amount of adhesive used, you usually have at least one minute to adjust the position of the Styrofoam piece.

• For a stronger bond, apply a bit more glue around the edges of the Styrofoam where it meets the other surface. Don’t use more glue than necessary to form a thin layer, as this will only prolong the drying time.

Wait for the glue to dry. The next step is simply to wait. Depending on the size of the object being glued, the type and amount of glue used, the drying time may vary from a few minutes to several hours. Avoid touching the glued item during the drying process, as this could ruin the bond, and you will need to reapply the glue and start over. If necessary, you can use sturdy objects (like a book or box) to help keep the item in position while the glue dries.

• Hot glue dries faster in colder weather.
• Some glues require more time to dry, especially in cold or humid conditions.

Be mindful of Styrofoam's relatively weak strength. While most of the methods discussed here will create fairly strong bonds once the glue has dried, this is not always true for Styrofoam itself, which is a very fragile and thin material. Handle Styrofoam gently after the glue has set—pieces of Styrofoam glued to walls, door frames, or other structures can easily break or snap, whether glued or not.

• If a piece of Styrofoam comes off the surface you previously glued it to, discard it and start fresh. When you apply new glue over dried glue, the bond will not be as strong as it would be with a new piece of Styrofoam. Therefore, the adhesion between the Styrofoam and the surface will be much weaker.
• If the drying time of the glue is longer than expected when gluing two pieces of Styrofoam together, you can push a toothpick through both items to hold them in place. Using a blow dryer on a cool setting can also help speed up the drying process.

• Never use a hot glue gun when trying to attach Styrofoam. Since Styrofoam is made of plastic, the heat from the glue gun can cause it to melt and ruin your project. Only use a hot glue gun for materials that are not sensitive to heat.

• Styrofoam
• Styrofoam adhesive
• Paintbrush
• Tray
• Toothpicks