Summary.The adhesive properties of eight root canal sealers, applied as a thin layer between a dentine and a gutta‐percha surface, were investigated. Tensile bond strengths ranged from 0.02 MPa (Sealapex) to 2.38 MPa (AH26). Inspection of fractured surfaces indicated failure of adhesion to dentine (Tubli‐Seal) and to gutta‐percha (AH26, Diaket) as well as failure of cohesion (CRCS, Kloroperka N‐Ø, ProcoSol, rosin chloroform, Sealapex). Pretreatment of the dentine surface with EDTA caused a significant increase in bond strength for ProcoSol, rosin chloroform, Sealapex, and Tu