Gluing of Plastics
Gluing of plastics is a simple process when two plastics that are
being joined together called adherends are joined with a bond called
an adhesive. Certain adhesives work best with certain adherends.
Epoxies are the most common adhesives, they are two part adhesives,
the epoxy and the other is the hardener. Some of the more common
thermoplastics and the adhesives that work best with them are;
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene(ABS) works best with methyl ethyl
ketone or methylene chloride, Acrylic with ethylene dichloride or
vinyl trichloride, Polycarbonate with methylene chloride or ethylene
dichloride, Polystyrene with methyl ethyl ketone or toluene, and
Polyvinyl chloride(PVC) works the best with acetone, cyclohexane, or
tetrahydrofuran.
Process:
1. Clean contaminants from the adherends surface by either wiping or dipping the adherends in a solvent.
2. Apply the adhesive with either a very small paint brush or an eyedropper to the bonding area.
3. Connect the two hherends at the desired bonding point.
4. Let the glue cure at room temperature.
1. Wear eye protection when using adhesives and solvents.
2. Wash any solvents off skin as soon as possible.
3. Do not inhale or ingest any of the glueing chemicals.
4. Recap all containers when finished.
5. Thoroughly clean the work area of any chemical spills as well as in general.