Best glue for plastics ?

[JimPghPA]

Hi. I have a project that requires me to glue or plastic weld several pieces of plastic together. One type of plastic will be ABS and the other type will be polypropylene made by cool polymers their E1201. It is a reinforced polypropylene compound exhibiting enhanced thermal conductivity, it is loaded with carbon. After cured the plastic and joints will be used to contain light weight oil that is very pure. The temperature range will be 80 F to 20 F. I have tried Devcon 14340 Plastic welder II epoxy and it leaked when exposed to the oil. I have Loctite e-20HP epoxy and will be trying it soon. I also have Loctite 410, and 480 and the accelerator 770 to apply to the polypropylene, and will try them soon.

I have a Mini-Weld Model 6 Airless Plastic Welder - 5600HT made by Urethane Supply Company that uses 1/8 inch di rods. I called them and they said that there is no rod that would work with the combination of the two plastics.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[expat]

Goop

 

[XS650]

I don't think it works on polypropylene

 

[Shannow]

http://65.213.72.112/tds5/docs/406-EN.PDF

Might work.

 

[Tempest]

Quote:
Polypropylene PP R#5 is highly resistant to solvents, thus it cannot be glued in the same way that PVC can, wherein the surface is prepped using a solvent primer. It can only be joined or ultra-sonicly welded. A workaround exists utilizing a thermal adhesion process to treat the surface with a thin film of another more suitable plastic. One such company is listed below.

For the enthusiast, I recommend abrading the surface of both objects with a coarse wood file before using 2 part epoxy to form a mechanical bond. The two surfaces should be clamped together or placed under a large weight as this will create a thinner bonding layer further increasing sheer strength. Use lots though, and wipe up the excess which is pressed out. A flat rubber mat such as a mouse pad or rubber from a holy innertube placed between the objects and the weight or clamped surfaces will ensure more uniform compression. This is a new skill that takes practice, so do a few test pieces before working on your final product.

CAUTION: Do not use a heat source at any time while using epoxy or solvents as there is a risk of fire or explosion. Always use solvents in a well ventilated area free from any electrical device which could cause a spark.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_to_glue_polypropylene

I think I've seen polypropylene used as glue BOTTLES before...though most are HDPE.

 

[Rick in PA]

Polypropylene is gonna' be a bugger. mcmaster.com has some promissing looking stuff (but I don't have experience with it), search polypropylene adhesive, it's on the second page, a bit pricy, $70 for 1.7 oz. Good luck.

 

[JimPghPA]

Thanks everyone.

We built 3 small test assemblies with interlocking fingers to test the three glues before going for the larger total assembly.

I will clean the plastic well and rough up the surfaces.

The three glues I ordered and the one I tried before are all through McMaster-Carr.

Shannow, I think the 406 is a thinner version of the 410, and 480 that are progressively thicker versions.

Rick, I will look at the more expensive glue and probably order it soon. My current McMaster-Carr catalog is #113.

What really makes this project tough is not only does it have to not leak, but the light oil it must contain acts as a solvent.

Expat, I have used Amazing Goop ( the better grade in the smaller more expensive tube for some projects, I don't think it will hold up against the light oil )

Thanks again.

Jim

 

[JimPghPA]

Tempest, if we are unable to get any of the glues to work I will look into you sugested companies, and also look for other similar ones.

Thanks.

 

[JimPghPA]

Rick, I ordered the McMaster-Carr 7513A1 $70 epoxy. Thanks for the suggestion. I had seen it a while ago and forgot about it. Sometimes it is good to have others to bounce stuff off of regarding projects. I kept in touch with all of my mentors who I use to work with. Unfortunately they all were older, and have now passed away.

I think there is a good chance that this glue will work. I will let it set up for a week before exposing it to the oil.

Thanks.