Plastics Welding

[MICKYG]

Has anyone tried to join Nylon and PVC with heat or welding methods? or the fusion of any plastics with acceptable outcome?

Kind Regards

Mike

[journeyman Mick]

I've had a go at welding vinyl flooring and it came up okay, as good as the floorlayers result anyway. There's people that specialise in welding plastics, especially for the smash repair industry, plastic bumpers and grills etc. So yes, it is possible but I guess some plastics aren't suitable.

Mick

[derekcohen]

Some years ago I repaired several windsurfers with plastic skins (I think they were referred to as ASA skins, but were just basic PVC). This was done with a soldering iron, melting and fusing the plastic.

I had some limited success patching PVC with epoxy resin (polyester resin was a complete failure). This eventually delaminated.


Regards from Perth

Derek

[MICKYG]

Thanks Mick, Derek, for your thoughts. Its just a tricky thing that I have never had a go at. Brass Copper Steel have never been a problem and it irritates me to think that plastic steps into a new ballpark!

I did a bit of experimenting with heat and plastic and it appears to do a good job you probably need the welding gear designed for the job.

Thanks
Mike.

[Iain]

I am aware that professional welders use high frequency welding equipment, it localises the application of the surfaces to be bonded and is quick.
I had some involvement in the design of PFD1 units with RFD and they were opposed to this method as it was stated that in a situation where the join was to remain flexible, the high frequency weld caused a breakdown in the polymers and the join became brittle, as a result they preferred the use of a two part epoxy which ensured longevity of the joint.
Maybe AV Syntec have something on offer.......

[Neil]

Think you'll find that plastics can also be welded using solvents like MEK. The solvent is painted on to both surfaces, they are brought together and stick fast due to a chemical melting rather than a heat one.

[echnidna]

I have successfully done a bit of plastic welding using a hot air gun. Reportedly you can only weld similar plastics and can't weld different type plastics together. There is a fair bit of technical info on the web which you should find with a google search

[Chesand]

As Neil says some plastics can be joined by MEK which is available from model shops. Chloroform will also do the same. Both should be use in well ventilated area. The harder plastics will not work this way - if they did the plastic caps on the bottles would dissolve. For small joins super glue works well. I have used both methods in building model railway wagons.

[soundman]

Different plastics can have very different properties good research is a must.

Nylon and its relatives for instance are a right pain to get adhesive to work with.

[MICKYG]

Thanks for the encouragement and various ideas. I am still doing a bit of research re the plastics. I will be doing some tests on a few ideas and will post my findings on this forum. It really is a new area to play in. there are some very potent solvents now which lend themselves to a good job at reasonable cost, time will tell.

Kind Regards

Mike.

[gatiep]

PVC and ABS etc are relatively easy to weld either chemically or by heat.
The Styrenes, that is not only polystyrene but HIPS ( Hi Impact Poly Styrene.......looks like PVC) and other formulations usually disappears when treated with solvents and heat. Try some acetone or thinners in one of those thin white drinking cups ( disposable) not the foam ones and you'll end up with the liquid on the bench. The foam ones will also disolve.
I studied plastics and plastic raw materials way back and the notes said that nylon ( there are a magnitude of grades) are basically inert.....they will not react with solvents and cannot be fused by heat. Very interesting is that most nylons are self lubricating if used in bushess.
Should you start experimenting with solfents and heat on plastics, please do it in a VERY well ventilated area as the gasses are usually very toxic.
Another interesting fact is that clear acrylic ( commonly known as Perspex) lets more light through than clear glass.

Take care........turn wood....its fun!