Plastic Bonding FAQ

There are a few key factors you need to consider when choosing the plastic bonding process.

1. Bonding strength

If you want to get the strongest bonding adhesion, you need to know the exact nature as well as the surface condition of the plastic you want to work with.

Cyanoacrylate adhesive is a good option for most ABS, Acrylic, Polycarbonate, and PVC.  It shows good bonding strength on polypropylene and polyethylene as well.

UV curable adhesive can bond well to most Polycarbonate, PVC, Acrylic, ABS, and Polyamide.

Some epoxy adhesives need special heat curing and are suitable for high-temperature-resistant plastics such as PEEK and PBT. It will offer super strong bonding adhesion.

However, sometimes, the strongest glue may not be the best glue for plastics.

2. Appearance

Appearance is a key factor in many cases, especially for some transparent plastic materials. Examples of our products include acrylic boxes, acrylic display cases, acrylic signs, polycarbonate display cases, and many more.

UV plastic adhesives can provide great optical clarity on clear plastics. Cyanoacrylate plastic also provides clear bonding.

3. Chemical resistance of your plastic bonding

You need to consider in advance the final application of your plastic bonded products, especially when you’re bonding metal to plastic, bonding rubber to plastic, and bonding plastic to wood.

WeProFab is your premier supplier of plastic products that require plastic bonding.

We can bond different materials to plastics, such as bonding metal to plastic, bonding polycarbonate to metal, gluing leather to plastic, gluing aluminum to plastic, gluing foam to plastic, gluing plastic to rubber, bonding silicone to plastic, bonding plastic to glass, bonding PVC to silicone.

For sure, we are also professional at bonding plastic to plastic.

We can do acrylic bonding, polyethylene bonding, bonding polycarbonate, bonding HDPE, bonding ABS plastic, bonding acrylic sheets, plastic to plastic bonding, bonding PVC pipe, bonding PET plastic, bonding acrylic to PVC, bonding HDPE to HDPE, bonding polycarbonate to polycarbonate, bonding polycarbonate sheets, bonding PVC to PVC, bonding PVC to acrylic, gluing polycarbonate to PVC, and other combinations.

Send us an inquiry if you need any support from us about plastic bonding service.

Plastic Bonding: The Definitive FAQ Guide

How do you bond Silicon to Plastic?

You need first of all to ensure that you have a silicon-based adhesive since it’s the compound that you’ll use to bond these two materials.

While at it, you need to rough up the surface of the plastic to mechanically help in adhesion irrespective of the adhesive chosen.

Then you need to wipe with a recommended substrate to help in removing any release agents.

And now you can apply a suitable adhesive then attach the surfaces of these two materials and allow them to cure accordingly.

Does Epoxy Stick on Plastics?

Ordinarily, epoxy doesn’t adhere appropriately to most of the plastic surfaces.

This is a result of the lack of surface texture for a mechanical bond.

However, epoxy tends to form beads on the surface like water on a waxed finish.

Nonetheless, for you to achieve the desired adhesion results of epoxy to most of the plastics, you need to carry out proper surface preparation.

What Glue Works with Hard Plastic?

You can choose to use different types of brands of glue with hard plastic.

However, you need to understand that such glue should always contain particular properties.

One of the most common properties is that this type of glue needs to be waterproof.

What’s more – An ideal glue for hard plastic must be specially designed for this precise purpose.

Some of the top brands of glues that work with hard plastic include; Loctite glue, GOOP glue, Surehold SH 302 glue and J-B Weld 50139 glue, among others.

How Long will a Plastic Bond Last?

Ideally, plastic bonds are designed to be permanent.

It thus means that this type of bond needs to last for as many years as possible.

Different types of plastic joints

However, there are some exceptions where certain types of plastic bonds are designed for temporary use.

In such cases, the bond shall break down as and when supposed to when subjected to particular conditions.

In other words, most plastic bonds are designed to last indefinitely.

What is the Shelf Life for Plastic Bonding Adhesive?

When subjected to suitable conditions, the shelf life of plastic bonding adhesive should be at 12 months.

Suitable conditions, in this case, imply stored at 60° F to 80° F, indoors and also protecting it from exposure to moisture.

Are there Materials you Cannot Bond to Plastics?

Plastics tend to bond to almost all types of materials.

Take, for example, you can bond polycarbonate to virtually all materials. The same applies to acrylic sheets.

However, you also need to understand that it depends on the type of plastic you are bonding to a particular material.

Materials that require low surface energy and specialized surface treatment are what necessarily do not easily bond to plastics.

What should you Consider when Bonding Plastic?

The type of plastic you are using is quite a fundamental consideration.

You need to know the precise one which will perfectly adhere with the particular surface material you’re bonding.

You also need to look into the physical state as well as properties of the plastic material.

This will make it possible for you to understand the best approach to bonding it as well as the ideal substances and conditions to use.

Chemistry of the plastic is the other ideal consideration to have in mind when bonding plastic.

It will allow you to get the best results.

Another element to consider is the service environment.

What are the environmental conditions that are recommended for bonding the plastic during and after?

Finally, the surface condition of the plastic is also another key consideration.

How well prepared is the surface, and what requirements does it require?

What Determines Plastic Bond Curing Time?

Polycarbonate bonded material
The type of material that you are bonding to plastic is one of the greatest determinants of the curing time.

It also depends significantly on the type of adhesive that you’re using.

Some might take longer, whereas others take a shorter time to cure.

The method that you also use to bond the plastic material is also a key determinant of its curing time.

Then finally, the environmental conditions that you subject the bond to also determine the amount of time it will take to cure.

Are the VOC in Plastic Adhesives?

Not necessarily because they offer little to no gassing.

Therefore, means that the formulations of the VOC in plastics are designed to limit the number of chemicals released during bonding.

Plastic adhesive

What are the Main Compounds in Plastic Bonding Adhesive?

They include polyurethanes, polyamides, acrylic, silicones, epoxies, and anaerobic as well as cyanoacrylates.

The main compounds are polyvinyl acetate (PVA), phenol-formaldehyde (PH), ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), and cyanoacrylate, among others.

These compounds are merely designed to resist water and chemicals, and withstand differing coefficients of thermal expansion.

Does Epoxy Bond to ABS plastic?

Usually, epoxy doesn’t necessarily adhere appropriately to ABS and many other plastics.

This is a result of a lack of surface texture for a mechanical bond.

Epoxy and ABS plastic
So you will notice that in most instances, epoxy shall be forming beads on the surface similar to water on a waxed finish.

However, you can attain excellent adhesion of epoxy to ABS plastic when you first carry out proper surface preparation.

In other words, you need to treat ABS plastic to enable it to bond well with epoxy resin.

Is there Waterproof Adhesive for Plastic?

Definitely, there are several types and brands of waterproof adhesives for plastics.

However, you ought to know that the specific types are contingent on glue as well as plastic.

You’ll realize that some adhesives are merely solvent-based hence melt the plastic together.

Others such as Cyanoacrylate glues are also waterproof, but you’ll find that they may not necessarily bond some types of plastics at all.

What is the Best Glue for Polycarbonate Sheet?

The best glue for polycarbonate sheets is dependent on the application of the material.

In general, though, such an adhesive needs to be clear so that it can help to maintain optical clarity.

 Bonding polycarbonate sheet
Superglue is an ideal one, especially for bonding small polycarbonate parts.

However, it is unsuitable for applications that require impact strength or where water exposure is inevitable.

Single component acrylic cement and Two-component polyurethane are thus the best glues that you can use for bonding polycarbonate sheets for many applications.

Can you Recommend the Best Plastic Bonding Adhesive?

The best plastic bonding adhesive is dependent on the type of plastic as well as the particular application.

However, the most appropriate way of making this choice is by looking at different factors such as tensile strength.

So the best type that I can recommend is the single component heat-curable epoxy adhesives.

 What Glues Works on Acrylic Bonding?

The solvent-based glues are the most appropriate adhesives to use on acrylic bonding.

These are the types of glues which typically softens and welds the acrylic surfaces together hence chemically bonding them in one.

Does Flame Treatment Enhance Plastic to Plastic Bonds?

Yes.

It helps in enhancing the plastic surfaces for better adhesion.

It happens that plastics are chemically inert Polyolefin materials.

As you can realize, Industrial polyolefins are polymers such as thermoplastic resins and elastomers.

This, therefore, makes flame treatment superior methods for improving adhesion in plastics.

How can you Bond Rubber to Plastic?

First off, you need to know the exact types of rubber and plastic substrates that are involved in this bonding.

Additionally, you also ought to understand other application details such as strength and temperature requirements among others.

You also need to determine the surface energy of the plastic, whether it is low or high.

So what you need to do is adding an adhesive promoter to the rubber material since it has outgassing plasticizers that attack the adhesives.

What is the Temperature Range of Plastic Bonding?

The ideal temperature range of plastic bonding is between 200°F and 250°F.

However, you should also take note of the fact that the range will vary depending on the type of plastic materials that you are bonding.

How do you Remove Adhesives from the Plastic Surface?

Chemical bonding plastic

The best way of attaining the best results as far as removing adhesive from the plastic surface is by using commercial adhesive remover.

You, first of all, need to have all the necessary tools and substances for partaking in this task.

Then before actual removal, it is essential always to test a small area before cleaning the affected area.

You should then moisten the area appropriately using a moist cotton swab by dabbing it into the adhesive area.

If you are using a product that dries up faster, ensure that you fold a paper towel to the size of the adhesive spot.

The next thing to do is taping the edges down to help in holding the cloth.

Give it time until the adhesive softens.

Once it is softened, wipe it away using a soft cloth.

Do not scrub it too hard since you can damage the surface of the plastic material.

Will Dampness Affect Plastic Bonds?

Definitely yes because plastic tends to exhibit some level of polarity hence can absorb a specific quantity of moisture which causes cosmetic problems.

In many instances, you will find that moisture deposited on surface material tends to cause cosmetic defects on plastic bonds.

Can you Bond Plastic on Wood?

Yes, it is possible, but you need to get the procedure right for you to get desirable results.

In addition, you also need to have all the right materials for the process to be successful.

What is the Best UV Curing Plastic Bonding Adhesives?

They are quite a number of brands that you can choose depending on various elements surrounding the application of the material.

Some of the elements to look into the best UV curing adhesives for plastic bonding include; fast curing when exposed to light and solvent-free.

It should also offer strong bonds, should only cure when exposed to light and should also appear in the clear colorless formulation.

In the market currently, the best one that I can recommend is known as Permabond UV glue.

Can You Bond ABS Plastic to Fiberglass?

Yes, it is possible given that fiberglass consists of a mat that is saturated with fiberglass resin.

This resin is thick hence needs a catalyst to harden.

All you need to do is knowing the right procedures for carrying out this task, and you’ll have a perfect ABS plastic and fiberglass bond.

What is the Best Glue for Bonding Plastic to Plastic?

Again, it also depends on the type of plastic that you are bonding.

It is also dependent on the type of application for the plastics that you are or want to bond.

The brands to choose from are quite a number and some of the best ones to go for including Loctite glue, GOOP glue, Surehold SH 302 glue, and J-B Weld 50139 glue, among others.

How do You Select the Adhesive for Bonding Plastic to Metal?

Chemical and temperature resistance are some of the fundamental elements to consider whenever you are looking for plastic to metal bonding adhesive.

And this is guided by understanding whether or not the application for the bonding material shall be solvent or temperature resistant.

The other aspect to consider is the appearance of the adhesive.

If its appearance is somewhat a high priority, consider adhesives that provide clear bonds.

If otherwise, you may as well consider going for adhesives such as cyanoacrylate.

Then application and cure is also another factor to consider when selecting the best adhesive for bonding plastic to metal.

If the application for the material requires a fast cure, you may consider cyanoacrylate adhesives.

What is a Reliable Plastic to Plastic Bonding Methods?

Some of the best bonding techniques for plastic to plastic include;

Solvent Bonding; it involves coating plastics using solvent and clamping them together.

Induction Welding; ideal for bonding plastics that are somehow difficult to weld.

Mechanical fastening; it is suitable in instances where precision bonding is not required.

How Do You Align Surfaces for Plastic Bonding?

You need first of all to ensure that you remove grease or any other sticky substance from the material surface.

The second step is sanding the surface of the plastic material that you are bonding with 120-200 grit sandpaper.

This helps in creating a rough surface for the glue so that it can bond appropriately.

Also, ensure that you do all the positions, especially if the materials are somewhat non-porous.

You then need to mix the glue with any other recommended substrate then apply it on both surfaces of the plastic.

Press the pieces lightly to get them in place and at the same time, remove any air bubbles.

While at it, you also need to ensure that you keep the surfaces firmly in place.

What is Plastic Bonding?

It refers to a chemical process for joining semi-finished plastic products together or to other materials as a fabrication process or damage repair.

Which Products Can You Make from Plastic Bonding?

• Water tanks
• Chemical tanks
• Medical equipment
• Solar panels
• Connector sealing
• PC boards
• Electronic controllers
• Motors
• Compressors
• Downhole pumps
• Power generators
• Cameras
• Imaging systems
• Display kits
• Lasers
• Pipe and tubing equipment

How do You Test the Quality of the Plastic Bond?

It involves three fundamental steps;

• Determining the bond to be tested and temperature for testing the plastic bond.
• Determining the right technique for testing the quality of the bond
• Determining the shape and setup of the plastic sample that you are using during the test.