Elastomers can be adhesively bonded to metals and to most plastics, forming a bond that is often stronger than the elastomer itself. Especially strong bonds are obtained by applying adhesive to the metal or plastic, and casting polyurethane elastomer onto it. Where the use of adhesives is not practical, the toughness of polyurethane elastomers in thin layers enables bolts or screws to be used.

In a recent survey comparing polyester to polyether-based prepolymers, the polyesters showed two to three times the bond strength over a broad temperature range.