Permanent bonding solution for plastic?

[thinkracing]

I've got two pieces of a rubberized plastic that I need to "glue" together permanently.

What's a durable, quick and easy product that I could use to bind these two pieces together?

 

[MBeaty]

Do you have any more specifics about the type of plastic or application? Some engineering plastics and other more common ones like polypropylene in general can hardly be glued. Because these materials are highly chemical resistant any solvent based glues will not bond them. Some contact glues like a contact cement or silicon adhesive could work depending on how much surface area there is for adhesion.

Knowing what the material is will help greatly in finding a proper adhesive for a permanent bond.

 

[Brutl67]

Do you have any more specifics about the type of plastic or application? Some engineering plastics and other more common ones like polypropylene in general can hardly be glued. Because these materials are highly chemical resistant any solvent based glues will not bond them. Some contact glues like a contact cement or silicon adhesive could work depending on how much surface area there is for adhesion.

Knowing what the material is will help greatly in finding a proper adhesive for a permanent bond.

What he said. But anytime ive had to stick two plastics together, i have good luck with 2 part epoxy. There's a type made just for plastics.

 

[thinkracing]

I need to look to see if there is anything on the pieces that would indicate the material, but it's the same stuff late model stock cars use as part of their lower spoilers. It's hard, but flexible.

 

[Rezarf]

If it is HDPE you're going to have a hard time. However if you are looking at ABS or similar (I would suspect abs for this application) then 3M makes very specific adhesives that weld the plastic together. Got a manufacturer you could call?

 

[theoldwizard1]

One big problem with plastics and adhesives is creep. No, not the weird kid down the street !

"Creep", it basically the difference in coefficient of thermal expansion between different materials. Or to say it another way, all materials expand and contract with temperature. "Plastics" and adhesives can have very big differences.

When things start "moving" (expand/contract) at different rates as heated and cooled, it is only a matter of time before the bond fails.

 

[DanarchyCustoms]

I'm not sure how important or significant expansion is between those two pieces but you can always try Plexus if you can't find anything else. Its a two part epoxy that mixes through the nozzle and its incredible strong once dry. I've used it to permanently adjoin many materials to each other and its perfect for repair work. Not sure if it will help in this case but it is a thought. Also HD sells a similar product made by Loctite.

 

[jweller]

have you tried superglue? I almost always give it a shot. with some plastics it does an exceptional job.

The other option is a plastic welder. I've had good luck with that on some automotive plastics. HF has one that is fairly cheap. I've not used it because, until fairly recently, I had access to a good one from my old job. But I've looked at it a few times and since there isn't much to them, it might be worth a shot.

 

[MadMechMaster]

Loctite 330 is some serious stuff. Pricey, but it holds just about anything together.

http://www.henkelna.com/cps/rde/xchg/henkel_us/hs.xsl/full-product-list-7932.htm?countryCode=us&BU=industrial&parentredDotUID=productfinder&redDotUID=0000000I1J

 

[MoonRise]

Some 'plastics' are bondable, some are 'bondable' with difficulty, and some pretty much are not.

So the answer is "It depends."



a better understanding of the more specific type of plastic and the bonding area available for attempted bonding and the physical environment and the desired 'strength' of the bond could maybe help folks give you are ''better' answer.

If it's a "stock" car, just put it on with duct tape and get back out onto the track.

 

[thinkracing]

It is not a stock car. HA. Sports car.

Yeah, I don't know what material it is made of, but I did install some quick release fasteners, so I've solved my need that way.