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Best Glue for Plexi/Lexan?
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Author:  Dave-SKG [ Fri Sep 29, 2006 3:55 am ]
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I am wondering what you folks feel the best glue is for glueing Plexiglass to plexiglass or lexan to lexan or plexi to lexan. All responses are greatly appreciated!

Author:  Don Williams [ Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:11 am ]
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I've heard that Butyl Cellusolve is the right stuff for that.

Author:  Larry Davis [ Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:18 am ]
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[QUOTE=Don Williams] I've heard that Butyl Cellusolve is the right stuff for that.[/QUOTE]

butyl cellosolve is a glue? We added it to paint to slow the drying down

I've found using a plastic primer special made for super gluing plastic works good. Should be available in any large home depot place or hobby shop.

Author:  Ron Priest [ Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:20 am ]
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Hi Dave:

We used to use Weld-on 3 to glue Acrylic sheets together. Weld-on 16 will work as well but has to be clamped and sit for 24hrs, Weld-on 3 is harmful to skin as becomes acidic when mixed with the moisture on skin. More info obtained from supplier if required.


Author:  Daniel M [ Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:22 am ]
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I have used thin CA with great success.

Author:  Steve Saville [ Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:23 am ]
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You can solvent bond with Methylene Chloride. You can also use RTV silicone, urethane and CA.
It all depends on your application to determine what is the best to use.

Author:  Sylvan [ Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:39 am ]
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Superglue works for me!

Author:  A Peebels [ Fri Sep 29, 2006 4:53 am ]
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Acrylic (plexiglass) can be solvent bonded using acetone. The surfaces must be a perfect fit for the best bond. For advise from profesional plastic fabricators do a search on TAP plastics. They have stores and plastic fab shops on the US west coast.

Al

Author:  Dave-SKG [ Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:36 pm ]
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Thanks Soooo much guys! I am gong to experiment a little and see which I like

Author:  Don Williams [ Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:50 pm ]
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I saw some GE Lexan solvent in Home Depot. I believe the primary ingredient was butyl celusolve...... I know, it sounds crazy, but it is used for welding plexi too. I'll shoot down the road and double-check that tomorrow. Dave, if you have a Home Depot near you (LOL) you can check there for the solvent.
BTW, I believe Plexiglass is a polycarbonate, as is Lexan. They're both just brand names, but with different properties.

Author:  Larry Davis [ Fri Sep 29, 2006 2:57 pm ]
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I just did a Google search on plexiglass glue and got a ton of hits.

Plexiglass is a brand name and is produced by Loctite. It is a pure polymer Methyl Methacrylate. I've used it in my wood acrylizing process, but it's bad, evil stuff and moved past it to safer chemicals. Just last week I sold my last five gallons to an ivory dealer who uses it to stabilize his ivory. I even drove 120 miles to deliver it and I'm feeling a lot safer in my shop now that the time bomb is gone

Author:  A Peebels [ Fri Sep 29, 2006 11:49 pm ]
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Actually Lexan is totally different from Plexi. Lexan is stronger, machines easier, and is made by General Electric Co. I have worked in the factory where they make the Lexan resin, and the process is downnright scary. The solvent used in their process is Methylene Chloride.

Al

Author:  Dave-SKG [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 2:50 am ]
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Just ordered some M.C. from "Chemassociates". Must be nasty they would only ship it ground.

THank You everyone for all your input. I really appreciate it!

Don, I already have some Butyl Cellusolve. I'll give that a try. THANKS for your help!Dave-SKG38990.4949768518

Author:  Larry Davis [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 3:17 am ]
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[QUOTE=A Peebels] Actually Lexan is totally different from Plexi. Lexan is stronger, machines easier, and is made by General Electric Co. I have worked in the factory where they make the Lexan resin, and the process is downnright scary. The solvent used in their process is Methylene Chloride. Al[/QUOTE]

I believe Lexan is the polycarbonate version. Polycarbonates are used in eye glass, contact lens and bullet proof "glass"

Author:  Dave-SKG [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 6:51 am ]
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Don,
I used some Butyl Cellusolve...waited about 10 minutes and nothing happened. Perhaps I rushed to test the joint? Anyway, I also tried some #10 thin CA it works but I was able to pull it apart after about a 20 minute cure...Now it didn't go easy...it was a strugle...but I did it bare hands without any tools...I assume it would get better if left over night. I also tried CA mixed with Butyl Cellusolve...worked the same as CA alone.
The Methylene Chloride is ordered and hopefully will soon be here. Does anyone know if M.C. is called something else and sold in Home centers? I have an Ace Hardware and a Home Depot a few miles away.

Author:  Don Williams [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 7:13 am ]
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Yeah, I was wrong on the cellusolve thing. I read the Methyl-whatever stuff and confused it in my brain. Wait, that's redundant, since my brain is already mostly confused....

Dave, if you go to Home Depot, they usually have the solvent/adhesive for Lexan in tubes right above the sheets in the display.

Author:  A Peebels [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 8:34 am ]
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Dave TAP plastics will have the correct info.

Al

Author:  Alan Carruth [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 10:50 am ]
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I got some stuff at a local hobby shop called "Tenax-7R", purported to be a universal plastic welder. I havent't tried it on _everything_, but it sure works on acrylic. It doesn't say on the bottle what's in it, and doesn't smell like anything. Scares me. It's super thin, and to use it I put it in an empty CA bottle with an applicator tube of #26 Teflon spaghetti, so it doesn't (quite) go all over the place. It's pretty nearly instant.

Author:  Dave Rector [ Sat Sep 30, 2006 11:27 am ]
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Dave, the liquid type of furniture stripper is Methylene
Chloride. I used to get the Kleen Kutter stuff at Wallie World.

Author:  Dave-SKG [ Mon Oct 02, 2006 3:53 am ]
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THANKS GUYS!

Author:  Steve Saville [ Mon Oct 02, 2006 5:02 am ]
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Dave,
You have talked about the application so I can't help much. PM me if you want more help.

To solvent bond, the pieces should be machined so that they have a nice fit without gaps. Hold the pieces together under pressure and allow the solvent to wick into the joint. Another method would be a short dip into the solvent and then assemble and hold under pressure until dry. If you have gaps, there are thicker adhesives that are better suited. You might want to look into Weld-On #58.

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