Ethan Clarke
Bonding plastic to plastic can be tricky because the type of glue you need depends on the type of plastic you're dealing with. There are many different types of plastic, and they are usually labelled with a recycling symbol—three arrows in a triangle with a number in the centre. This symbol can help you determine what type of glue to use. Common types of plastic include Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS). The most commonly used adhesives for gluing plastic are super glue, plastic bonder, and epoxy. However, certain types of plastic, such as Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP), require special adhesives because they have low surface energy, which makes it difficult for adhesives to penetrate the surface and create a strong bond.
Characteristics and Values of Banding Plastic to Plastic
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use case | Attaching two separate plastic parts |
| Method | Using elastic bands, glue, or plastic banding tools |
| Tools required | Vise, clamp, rubber bands, tensioner, sealer, plastic banding or strapping, metal seals |
| Process | Secure the plastic parts with the chosen tool, adjust the tension, and cut any excess strapping |
| Tips | Identify the type of plastic and choose the right glue, avoid adhesives if possible, and ensure safe and secure packaging |
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What You'll Learn
Using an elastic loop
Prepare the Elastic Loop
Start by measuring the width of the elastic loop you need. Cut a piece of elastic that is a few inches shorter than the desired width. This will ensure that the elastic loop can stretch and provide a secure hold. You can also use decorative elastic to add a unique touch to your project.
Create a Channel
One effective method for attaching elastic is to create a channel for it to run through. Fold and press the fabric to form a channel that is slightly wider than the elastic loop. This technique is commonly used in clothing, such as at the waistbands or cuffs.
Thread the Elastic Loop
Pin a safety pin to one end of the elastic loop and insert it into the channel. This safety pin will help guide the elastic through the fabric. Push the fabric over the elastic as you move the safety pin along, ensuring that the elastic stays within the channel.
Secure the Elastic Loop
Before you reach the end, pin the other end of the elastic to the fabric at the opening to prevent it from being pulled into the channel. Now, sew the ends of the elastic loop securely to the fabric. You can use a zigzag stitch to attach the elastic, pulling it slightly to match the length of the fabric as you sew. This will create a strong and flexible bond.
Adjust and Finish
If needed, adjust the tightness of the elastic loop by stretching it or loosening it to fit your specific requirements. Finally, fold the fabric over the elastic loop and sew it down with a straight stitch. This will neatly enclose the elastic and complete your plastic-to-plastic bond.
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Gluing plastic together
Gluing plastic to plastic can be tricky because the different types of plastics require different types of adhesives. Knowing the type of plastic you are working with is key to choosing the right glue.
Plastics in categories 1, 2, 4, and 5 are very difficult to glue. Look for an adhesive for polyethylene or polypropylene. Category 3, PVC, is most commonly used in plumbing. For gluing PVC, there is a two-part primer and PVC solvent cement. Items in category 6 are made of polystyrene, and a poly cement, epoxy, or cyanoacrylate will form a sufficient bond. Category 7 is a catch-all for plastics that don’t fit into the other categories, including polycarbonate and acrylic. For polycarbonate, an epoxy will work best. Category 9 is for ABS plastics, and while ABS solvent adhesives are available, an epoxy or cyanoacrylate glue will work better.
Some common types of adhesives used to glue plastic to plastic are super glue, plastic bonding systems, and epoxy. Super glue is great for small repairs and quick fixes because it is easy to use, dries quickly, and bonds to a wide variety of surfaces. However, not all super glues are made for the same applications, so check the label to ensure compatibility with the plastic. Epoxy is useful when you need to fill a gap between plastic parts that were broken or do not fit together precisely. When epoxy hardens, it forms a very durable material that can be sanded, drilled, or machined if needed. Many special plastic bonding systems include an activator as a preliminary step to prepare the surface of the plastic to create a stronger bond.
Before gluing, always clean the plastic surface with soap, a specialised plastic cleaner, or isopropyl alcohol. Dry thoroughly and sand the surface to create a rough surface for the glue to bond to. For precise, detailed glue application, use a small paintbrush or the tip of a needle. Mix the components if required and follow the product's instructions carefully for blend ratios. Apply a small amount of glue to one surface and press the surfaces together immediately. Keep them still for about 15–30 seconds or until a bond begins to form. For maximum strength, leave the plastic undisturbed for 24 hours to allow the bond to cure.
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Using a solvent cement
When bonding plastic to plastic, it is important to first determine what type of plastic you are dealing with, as different types of plastics require different types of adhesives. For instance, Lego bricks are made from a type of plastic called "ABS" and are best glued using epoxy cement. ABS solvent cement will also work, but may alter the shape of the material's surface. Clear, brittle plastics like imitation glass or CD cases are usually polystyrene, and a poly cement will work best on these.
If you are using a solvent cement, you should first clamp the pieces together. Then, use an applicator bottle to put a thin line of solvent cement along the edge between the pieces, where it will be drawn between them. Press the pieces lightly together, ensuring that there are no air bubbles, but be careful not to push too hard, as this may cause the adhesive to ooze out of the joint. If this happens, wipe away the excess adhesive unless you are using an acrylic cement, which should be left to evaporate.
Keep the pieces firmly in place using a clamp, vise, masking tape, or rubber bands. The bond can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours to develop, depending on the type and brand of adhesive.
Solvent cement is commonly used for plastic piping. There are different types of solvent cement for different types of pipes. For instance, ABS solvent cement is used to join two ABS pipes together, while PVC solvent cement is used for PVC pipes. Transition solvent cement, which is identifiable by its distinctive green colour, is used to join an ABS pipe to a PVC pipe. If you are gluing PVC, you will need to use a two-part primer and PVC solvent cement. White or beige pipes (PVC and CPVC) also require a primer, whereas black ABS pipes do not.
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Plastic banding tools and tensioners
There are several components required for plastic banding: a tensioner, a sealer, plastic banding or strapping, and metal seals. The tensioner tool is used to tighten the plastic banding around a package, and it typically features a clamp in the back to hold the banding in place, a ratchet in the middle to guide the tool over the straps, and a cutter at the front to snip the banding once secured.
To use the tensioner, first position the plastic banding strap around the package, leaving enough room to work with. Press the handle of the tensioner tool down to raise the clamp, then feed the banding strap underneath the clamp, ratchet, and cutter, heading across the package away from you. Release the handle to secure the strap in place. Next, grab the other end of the strap and feed it through the tensioner tool from the front, threading it through the cutter and ratchet. Lift the tensioner handle up and down to tighten the strap, then add a metal seal over the two pieces of banding coming out of the tensioner. Finally, use the sealer tool to clamp the metal seal in place, then cut away the excess strapping.
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Pre-cut strapping
To use pre-cut strapping, start by positioning the strap around the package, leaving enough room to work between the strap and the package. Take the tensioner tool and press the handle down to raise the clamp, then feed the strap under the clamp, ratchet, and cutter, heading away from you. You should leave an additional 2-3 inches of strap extending from the tensioner tool. Release the handle, and the clamp will secure the strap in place.
Next, grab the other end of the strap and feed it through the tensioner tool from the front, threading it through the cutter tool and the ratchet. Lift the handle of the tensioner tool up and down to tighten the straps and bring them closer to the surface of the package. Then, place one of the metal seals over the two pieces of strap that overlap in front of the tensioner tool.
With the metal seal in place, use the sealer tool to clamp the seal shut. Finally, crank the handle of the tensioner tool down completely to cut away the excess strapping. This will leave you with a tightly sealed strap that will ensure safe and secure delivery of your package.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to band plastic to plastic. One way is to use glue. First, identify the type of plastic you are working with by searching for a recycling symbol on the plastic itself, the label, or the packaging. Then, select the appropriate glue for that type of plastic. Apply glue to both surfaces and press them lightly together. Use a clamp, tape, or rubber bands to hold the pieces together until the adhesive bonds.
If you don't want to use glue, you can use plastic banding tools and tensioners. First, gather your tools: a tensioner, a sealer, plastic banding or strapping, and metal seals. Position the plastic banding strap around the package, leaving enough room to work with. Use the tensioner tool to secure the strap, then feed the other end through the tensioner tool, starting at the front. Thread the strap through the cutter tool and the ratchet, then tighten and add tension to the straps. Place a metal seal over the two pieces of the strap, then use the sealer tool to clamp the seal in place. Finally, cut away the excess strapping.
If you don't want to use clamps or rubber bands, you can try using tape or another type of adhesive. However, it is important to select the appropriate adhesive for the type of plastic you are working with to avoid a weak bond or damage to the object.
Yes, you can use plastic banding straps that have a built-in lip or hook to hold the loop in place.
Yes, there are pre-cut strapping options that are ready to use and require no tools. Simply wrap the strap around the item you need to secure and it will be tightly held in place.
