Everything You Need to Know About Plastic Bonding Adhesive

Posted by Parson Adhesives on January 22nd, 2021

Plastics have become so much a part of our lives that it’s often easily ignored. From the initial Bakelite to polymers, plastics have developed into so many various types. It has found use in nearly every industry – automotive, medical, kitchen, storage, furniture, electronics, and mobile phones – you name it and it’s probably got plastic in it. That’s also why, when you look for bonding glues for plastics, you’ll find various kinds.

Here are a few tips to learn everything you need to know about plastic bonding adhesives:

There is no ‘one size fits all’

Plastics are characterized by the different kinds of chemicals that go into making each of them. Each has a different tensile strength, malleability and sturdiness. This is the reason why one kind of bonding adhesive may not be suitable for all kinds of plastics.

Know your plastic before bonding

Once you identify the kind of plastic you are dealing with, it becomes easier to choose the type of adhesive that will be best suited. PVC can be bonded with a two-part primer and cement, Polystyrene (PS) works well with cyanoacrylates, epoxies or poly cement, and plastics like PET, HDPE, LDPE and Polypropylene (PP) are sometimes quite challenging to bond.

Choose according to the application

When you are using plastics in appliances or in plastic assembly, adhesives with low viscosity and less elongation works well, but for lamination or a housing assembly, you might want to choose an adhesive with greater elasticity. Electrical potting, aerospace assembly and automotive assembly will see the use of plastic adhesives with high viscosity, while packaging like clamshells or blister packaging requires adhesives that will allow maximum elongation and viscosity so that the contents of the packaging can be secured well, without being prone to weather elements or impact damage.

Time taken for bonding and Temperature required

Some adhesives may require a long time for the bond to gain strength, whereas some may air-dry within seconds. Some plastic adhesives could either need to be heated before applying on the pieces on the bond, or may be a two-part adhesive with a prime and a solvent. Find out which kind of adhesive suits the requirement, and the plastic to be bonded and make your choice wisely.

Take necessary precautions

While working with any kind of adhesive, it’s really important to take all the necessary precautions. Certain adhesives cure very quickly, so you might want make sure you use gloves when you use them. Also, some glue can have very strong odors, or may need sunlight or air to cure. Having well-lit and well-ventilated rooms is always a safety measure. For complex bonding, mask the surrounding surfaces. You might also want to remember to apply the adhesive to one joint only and press on the two parts lightly.

Follow these steps and do your research while choosing a bonding adhesive that matches the kind of plastic that you are using, and you can be sure of having stronger, better bonds that last as long as the plastic holds good.

Author’s Bio: Kalpesh Mehta is an avid traveller and says plastic adhesives like cyanoacrylates are his best friend when he tries his hand at DIY home projects.