Bonding surfaces (Glass, Plastic, Cork)

Zurp · 12-22-2003, 05:19 PM

This is bugging me! For weeks I have been trying to find out how to bond acrylic sheet plastic. (Not plexiglass, that is a softer plastic)

I know HOW, now... with "Acrylic Cement" Duh...

One problem, no-one knows where to get this! Nor do they know a subsitute bonding agent (Glue) that will work in it's place. Aquarium caulk will not work, I need a solid bond, not a flex bond.

Will contact cement work? Will Epoxy work, (Most say "Not on all plastics, but they don't mention which ones"). Will model glue work, (Solvent Cement)?

I am at a loss... Oh, one more thing. This must be water tolerant and safe to use within the proximity of vivarium life, once cured. I intend to go over welds with a bead of aquarium caulk as a final seal.

Wheat · 12-22-2003, 06:20 PM

You will have to order some from usplastics its cheap. Plexiglass is acrylic justr a brand name. oh the solvent is called Weldon if you have a nice clean cut you want to look nice i would use the watery stuff you can see the differance here. http://www.plantedtank.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3204

Wheat · 12-22-2003, 06:22 PM

Or look in the phone book for a plastic company near you.

**GulfCoastAquarian** · 12-22-2003, 06:28 PM

If you can't find a local plastics supplier, try TAP Plastics. The solvent you want is Weldon 4 if you're joining smooth, square edges. Weldon 4 is the water-thin stuff that will make a clear, bubble-free joint.
Weldon 40 is thicker and easier to use but won't make quite as clean a joint as Weldon 4.

Zurp · 12-25-2003, 01:24 AM

Thanks, that is exactly what I was looking for. I don't care what the edges look like, only that they are well bonded. This fogger container is going to sit on the back of my tank like an aquarium filter does. This will be long, thin, and tall. I just didn't want to fill it with water, then have the whole thing come unglued from the water pressure.

Here is how it works.
1. Remove fan from the fan port.
2. Stand the fogger tank upright, so that the exhaust port is on top.
3. Fill the fogger tank through the fan port. (First mini picture)
4. Stop filling the fogger tank at the fill line. (Second mini picture)
5. Slowly tilt the fogger tank back, so that trapped air in the water storage chamber can escape. (Third mini picture)
6. Slowly return the tank back to its filling position. (Fourth mini picture)
7. Slowly return the tank back to its operating position. (Fifth mini picture)
8. Mount the fogger tank onto the back of your tank, and attach fan and exhaust hose to their proper locations.

Zurp · 01-11-2004, 08:17 AM

I decided to use my bucket idea instead... If you are interested, here is the link.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3566

12-22-2003, 06:28 PM	#4
GulfCoastAquarian Planted Tank VIP (View User Tanks) PTrader: (6/100%) Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Winston-Salem, NC Posts: 3,577	If you can't find a local plastics supplier, try TAP Plastics. The solvent you want is Weldon 4 if you're joining smooth, square edges. Weldon 4 is the water-thin stuff that will make a clear, bubble-free joint. Weldon 40 is thicker and easier to use but won't make quite as clean a joint as Weldon 4. __________________ - Sam P - plantedtanker in limbo - all tanks currently in storage

01-11-2004, 08:17 AM	#6
Zurp Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Enfield, Connecticut Posts: 292	I decided to use my bucket idea instead... If you are interested, here is the link. http://www.plantedtank.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3566 __________________ 20Gal. Long (Green-House) and 55Gal. Tall (Primary Tank) 4 Fire-Belly Toads, 2 Fire-Belly Newts, 2 Giant Black Millipedes, 1 Grey Tiger Salamander

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12-22-2003, 05:19 PM	#1
Zurp Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Enfield, Connecticut Posts: 292	This is bugging me! For weeks I have been trying to find out how to bond acrylic sheet plastic. (Not plexiglass, that is a softer plastic) I know HOW, now... with "Acrylic Cement" Duh... One problem, no-one knows where to get this! Nor do they know a subsitute bonding agent (Glue) that will work in it's place. Aquarium caulk will not work, I need a solid bond, not a flex bond. Will contact cement work? Will Epoxy work, (Most say "Not on all plastics, but they don't mention which ones"). Will model glue work, (Solvent Cement)? I am at a loss... Oh, one more thing. This must be water tolerant and safe to use within the proximity of vivarium life, once cured. I intend to go over welds with a bead of aquarium caulk as a final seal.

12-22-2003, 06:20 PM	#2
Wheat Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: KC,MO Posts: 52	You will have to order some from usplastics its cheap. Plexiglass is acrylic justr a brand name. oh the solvent is called Weldon if you have a nice clean cut you want to look nice i would use the watery stuff you can see the differance here. http://www.plantedtank.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3204

12-22-2003, 06:22 PM	#3
Wheat Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: KC,MO Posts: 52	Or look in the phone book for a plastic company near you.

12-25-2003, 01:24 AM	#5
Zurp Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Enfield, Connecticut Posts: 292	Thanks, that is exactly what I was looking for. I don't care what the edges look like, only that they are well bonded. This fogger container is going to sit on the back of my tank like an aquarium filter does. This will be long, thin, and tall. I just didn't want to fill it with water, then have the whole thing come unglued from the water pressure. Here is how it works. 1. Remove fan from the fan port. 2. Stand the fogger tank upright, so that the exhaust port is on top. 3. Fill the fogger tank through the fan port. (First mini picture) 4. Stop filling the fogger tank at the fill line. (Second mini picture) 5. Slowly tilt the fogger tank back, so that trapped air in the water storage chamber can escape. (Third mini picture) 6. Slowly return the tank back to its filling position. (Fourth mini picture) 7. Slowly return the tank back to its operating position. (Fifth mini picture) 8. Mount the fogger tank onto the back of your tank, and attach fan and exhaust hose to their proper locations.