Acrylic cement

pmrid (Peter) · #1 04-01-2019, 03:57 PM

What fun! I decided to buy a couple of sheets of clear acrylic sheet ex-Jaycar and to make some surrounds/cases for various small projects. Great! But finding a way of clear jointing acrylic has proved to be a bit more difficult. Because of the nature of acrylics, it seems that conventional glues (a-la Tarzan, Supa etc) don't cut it. What is needed is a chemical bonding agent that fuses the sheets together rather than just holds them in a semi-rigid state.

Does anyone have any experience with this, and/or is able to recommend a suitable product?

Peter

DavidU (Dave) · #2 04-01-2019, 04:01 PM

When i was an acrylic fabricator I used methalene chloride, paint it on with a small artist brush and get almost an instant bond.

iborg (Philip) · #3 04-01-2019, 06:12 PM

Hi

I have added a link below to the SDS (safety data sheet). It has a number of names, including dichloromethane.

I use methylene chloride for a variety of things at work (as a chemist).

Obviously, wear gloves, but, do not let it sit on the surface of the glove as it will penetrate the glove in a fairly short peroid of time. If it spills on you or the glove, quickly shake it all off, and, preferably, change gloves.

Avoid breathing the fumes, and it is very volatile. I suggest that you do not use it inside your house. The dense fumes are reasonably likely to hang around inside for a while.

I have added a link below to the SDS (safety data sheet)

https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/MSDS/MS...97%3Flang%3Den

JA · #4 04-01-2019, 10:04 PM

Chloroform is used. Be careful if using it.

Best
JA

ChrisV (Chris) · #5 05-01-2019, 12:41 AM

Try acetone? Works well for glueing together perspex.

Chloroform is dangerous - it's been banned from our workplace

Ausrock (Chris) · #6 05-01-2019, 01:21 AM

Acetone evaporates quickly so you would likely need to work fast.

There are adhesives specifically for acrylic, I'd suggest contacting a plastics supplier for advice on suitable products and sourcing one of these because as was mentioned they "fuse" the parts.

pmrid (Peter) · #7 05-01-2019, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisV

Try acetone? Works well for glueing together perspex.

Chloroform is dangerous - it's been banned from our workplace

I believe that acrylic sheet and perspex are much of a muchness - Polymethyl acrylate. I wonder though if acetone fuses rather than merely joins. I suppose, by its nature, it must. If it works on perspex it will also do for acrylics. I'll give it a go.

Thanks for the advice gentlemen.

Peter

Stonius (Markus) · #8 05-01-2019, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JA

Chloroform is used. Be careful if using it.

Best
JA

I thought you were joking for a minute.

RAJAH235 · #9 05-01-2019, 10:11 PM

LOCTITE make a Super Glue especially for Plastics.....(Any/all plastics.)
Comes in a 2 pack with a "surface activator" which you apply 1st.

Works extremely well.

pmrid (Peter) · #10 06-01-2019, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAJAH235

LOCTITE make a Super Glue especially for Plastics.....(Any/all plastics.)
Comes in a 2 pack with a "surface activator" which you apply 1st.

Works extremely well.

Thank you. If the acetone doesn't do it, I'll give Loctite a go. I've previously only associated that brand with nuts and bolts problems.

Peter

troypiggo (Troy) · #11 06-01-2019, 07:38 AM

I reckon use the chloroform - you can have a nice little nap while you wait for it to set

speach (Simon) · #12 06-01-2019, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JA

Chloroform is used. Be careful if using it.

Best
JA

This is from left field. When I use to do my own B&W developing (photographic) I use Chloroform or Ether on top of the developer to stop oxidation.

LewisM · #13 06-01-2019, 10:57 AM

Would polystyrene glue work with acetates/acrylics? Never tried, but model glue - either the usual semi-gel form or the ultra thin stuff most pro-modellers use MIGHT work.

But MEK works most plastics superbly (welds the material, not sticking it but fusing it)

pmrid (Peter) · #14 06-01-2019, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewisM

Would polystyrene glue work with acetates/acrylics? Never tried, but model glue - either the usual semi-gel form or the ultra thin stuff most pro-modellers use MIGHT work.

But MEK works most plastics superbly (welds the material, not sticking it but fusing it)

M(ethyl)E(thyl)K(etone). - My disappearing brain cells seem to distantly remember this was/is a precursor chemical in the production of some very nasty drugs of abuse. I don't think I'll be rushing out to buy some just yet.

Peter

LewisM · #15 06-01-2019, 12:29 PM

Nah, MEK isn't a drug precursor or otherwise. It is primarily used for plastic welding (instant in most cases). Other common name is butanone.

It's nasty poop, but works extremelly well. It's found in most paint strippers and I think the blue plastic weld used for poly-pipe is also largely MEK.

pmrid (Peter) · #16 06-01-2019, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LewisM

Nah, MEK isn't a drug precursor or otherwise. It is primarily used for plastic welding (instant in most cases). Other common name is butanone.

It's nasty poop, but works extremelly well. It's found in most paint strippers and I think the blue plastic weld used for poly-pipe is also largely MEK.

MethylBenzylKetone pehaps. It's been a while! It was used in the process of making stuff that rhymes with beth!
And by the way, MEK is listed in the INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD list of PRECURSORS AND CHEMICALS FREQUENTLY USED IN THE ILLICIT MANUFACTURE OF NARCOTIC DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCES UNDER INTERNATIONAL CONTROL

Link may be found at http://www.unicri.it/topics/organize...n_Red_list.pdf

Peter