Polycarbonate is a tough, transparent plastic that often replaces glass. The material is produced in the form of plates of different thicknesses. In everyday life, a home craftsman has to deal with a situation when polycarbonate sheets need to be somehow fastened to each other. For this, a special glue for polycarbonate is used.
Types of glue for polycarbonate
Compositions of this kind are very diverse in properties and characteristics. But since the strength and reliability of the connection are primarily important, the mixtures are divided according to these parameters.
- One-component - simple composition, easy to use. The mixture is applied to the parts and connected to each other. This is how simple elements are glued, and not necessarily only polycarbonate sheets. One-component compound can bond plastic and metal, plastic and rubber.
- Two-component - when using such a composition, 2 stages are distinguished: the bonding stage and the hardening stage. The glue is used for gluing complex elements made of materials with opposite properties. It is more reliable, but also more expensive.
You can glue polycarbonate and other materials together using the following compounds.
- Polyurethane - used for gluing transparent monolithic polycarbonate, since such gluing is practically invisible. The composition is difficult to use, special tools are needed to apply it.
- Silicone - used for both monolithic and cellular polycarbonate. Provides a secure bond. The composition is frost-resistant, suitable for outdoor use. Disadvantage: the glue is not transparent, white, gray and black compositions are available.
- Ethylene vinyl acetate - has a high elasticity and is not afraid of water at all. A thermal gun is required for application. Compared to other adhesive mixtures, this option is not very strong, therefore it is more often used for gluing small fragments.
- Acrylic - used for joining flat sheets: furniture parts, mirrors. A foamed modification is used, produced in the form of a double-sided tape.
It is necessary to evaluate not only the reliability of the seam, but also the adhesive ability of the materials to be joined.
Method of use
Hot curing adhesives are applied in liquid form. A thermo-gun is used for this: in the body of the device, the mixture is heated, applied to the surfaces to be glued and hardens when cooled. This method is recommended for connecting small parts.
Do-it-yourself gluing, following step-by-step instructions.
- The composition is available in the form of a rod. Here it is kept cold.
- Before use, the rod is inserted into a heat gun, where it is heated. The mixture gradually melts.
- By pressing the trigger, the required portion of the molten mass is squeezed out.
- Connect 2 parts and hold for 5-10 seconds until the composition sets. Final hardening takes place within a few hours.
All hot-curing compounds have a common disadvantage. Under the influence of high humidity, the seam loses its strength. Therefore, for structures used in the bathroom, swimming pool, in the fresh air, you need to choose an adhesive with increased water resistance.
The cold curing adhesive is offered in liquid form and is applied to the surface using conventional tools.
Foam glue is produced for monolithic polycarbonate.The semi-fluid structure is applied to some kind of carrier - usually tape. And then 2 parts are connected to such a strip.
Hot bonding provides a stronger bond than cold bonding.
How to glue polycarbonate in complex and simple structures
How to glue cellular or monolithic polycarbonate together depends only on the required strength of the seam. The surface adhesion is the same. However, sheets of honeycomb material are lighter, so a smaller layer of material is required for bonding.
If the parts are to be bonded firmly, hot cure glue is used. When connecting small parts, a thermal gun is used. If large fragments are glued, the composition is heated in special containers. In addition, the characteristics of the adhesive mixture itself are taken into account. To glue monolithic polycarbonate plates together, it is better to take a polyurethane compound. When solidified, it forms a transparent seam, is insensitive to the action of ultraviolet radiation and is resistant to the influence of chemically aggressive substances.
Strength here is provided by a more active polymerization process.
For joining light fragments that do not require high strength, for example, in small decorative structures, cold curing glue is suitable. In everyday life, it is even used to fasten sheets when glazing a greenhouse.
What is not suitable for fixing polycarbonate
An attempt to save money and use available materials for gluing does not lead to anything good. On construction forums, you can find a recommendation to use solvents as a basis for glue. It does provide a joint, but not durable. After a year, cracks appear, and the material around the seam becomes cloudy.
You can not take formulations based on alkali. This substance gradually erodes polycarbonate. The material becomes cloudy, then becomes covered with bubbles, crumbles.
A home-made version of solvent and crushed polycarbonate is no better. The composition turns out to be viscous, quickly sets and hardens. However, the connection is fragile and cannot withstand the load.
Tips for using glue
In order for the gluing of polycarbonate to last for a long time, some rules are observed.
- Hot cure adhesive requires preheating. It is forbidden to use it cold.
- Pre-bonded surfaces are advised to be sanded. Thus, an additional relief is created, the connection surface is increased.
- It is recommended to treat surfaces with a primer, especially when gluing polycarbonate to another material - metal, wood, rubber.
- It is best to test on a small piece of material before gluing.
If polycarbonate is glued when cracks, crumbling, mechanical damage appear, combine fasteners with screws and gluing.
