Omar Khalid
Plastic glue, also known as plastic cement, is not actually glue. It is a solvent that melts plastic and helps it stay together. Different types of plastics require different types of plastic glue. For instance, clear, brittle plastics like imitation glass or CD cases are usually polystyrene, and a poly cement will work best on these. Legos are made of ABS plastic, and an epoxy cement is the best adhesive for this type of plastic. Tamiya Extra Thin is a popular plastic glue, especially for styrene plastic.
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What You'll Learn
Tamiya Extra Thin
The Tamiya Extra Thin Cement is available in a 40ml bottle with a pointed brush on the cap, making application simple. It is smooth, easy to use, and bonds quickly. While some customers report that the glue holds strong, others have mentioned pieces falling apart. The thickness of the glue has received mixed feedback, with some customers describing it as super thin but feeling weak in its bond.
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![[4 oz] Acrylic Bonding Cement with Applicator Bottle – Clear Glue for Plexiglass, Sheets & Plastic – Fast-Setting Adhesive, Cement, and Glue for Acrylic Sheets and Plexiglass Clear](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71JcBaSBr5L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Poly cement for clear plastics
Different types of plastics require different types of glue. Clear, brittle plastics like imitation glass or CD cases are usually polystyrene, and a poly cement will work best on these.
Testors 3515CT Clear Parts Cement is a 1oz adhesive that dries clear and is perfect for use on clear plastics like PET. It is a water-based adhesive that is easy to clean up and will not craze clear parts like regular cement. It is great for long clear seams where using normal glue would make a mess and fog the plastic. It is also great for model plane canopies and model car windows. However, unlike regular model cements, this adhesive will not tack together parts, so you will have to plan out how to build the model and use clamps and rubber bands to hold it together until the glue sets.
Another option for clear plastics is Tamiya Extra Thin, which is great for filling gaps.
It is important to note that solvent-based adhesives can warp and change the surface of the plastic, so this is something to consider if appearance is important.
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Epoxy cement for Lego-like plastics
Different types of plastics require different types of adhesives. For instance, plastics in categories 1, 2, 4, and 5 are very difficult to glue, and plastics in category 3, or PVC, are commonly used in plumbing. For gluing PVC, a two-part primer and PVC solvent cement are commonly available in hardware stores. Items in category 6 are made of polystyrene, and a poly cement, epoxy, or cyanoacrylate will form a sufficient bond.
Legos are made of ABS, a styrene-based plastic, so they feel similar to a Lego block. You'll want to use an epoxy cement for Lego-like plastics. You can also use "Plastic Cement" or "Polystyrene Cement" glues since they typically contain the same solvents as Lego bricks.
While ABS solvent adhesives are available, they do warp the plastic to a degree. For optimal results, an epoxy should be used. However, cyanoacrylate glue may also work well for this application.
If you don't mind a little extra work, using melted ABS is probably your best bet. You can chop up some scrap ABS into shavings, put them in some acetone, and play with the mixture until it comes out to your desired consistency. Make it in a squirt bottle and use it just like epoxy. This way, the entire workpiece is made of ABS plastic, so you shouldn't have problems with thermal expansion leading to cracks or separation like you can with other materials.
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Cyanoacrylate (super glue)
Cyanoacrylate, also known as super glue, is a fast-acting adhesive that is suitable for a wide range of materials, including plastic, metal, rubber, leather, and wood. It is an ideal adhesive for household projects and repairs as it dries quickly, forming a strong and reliable bond.
There are various types of cyanoacrylate adhesives available, each with unique features and applications. For instance, the Permabond range offers products with different viscosities, cure methods, and temperature and solvent resistances. Their toughened-grade cyanoacrylates are designed to provide excellent impact and peel resistance, making them suitable for rigid materials like steel. Permabond's 2011 gel is a non-drip, thixotropic gel that forms strong bonds and has excellent gap-filling capabilities.
Gorilla Super Glue is another popular option, known for its high strength and quick set time. It is impact-resistant and can handle bumps and drops, making it suitable for long-lasting repairs.
When choosing a cyanoacrylate adhesive, it is important to consider the specific requirements of your project. Different adhesives may be needed for different plastics, and some adhesives offer features like clog-resistant caps or anti-drip formulas. Additionally, some cyanoacrylates are designed for indoor use only, so it is essential to select the appropriate product for your needs.
Cyanoacrylate adhesives are versatile and convenient, making them a popular choice for various applications. With their fast-acting and strong-bonding properties, they are well-suited for quick repairs and projects requiring an instant bond.
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Hot melt adhesives
Hot-melt adhesive (HMA), also known as hot glue, is a form of thermoplastic adhesive commonly sold as solid cylindrical sticks of various diameters. It is designed to be applied using a hot glue gun, which melts the plastic glue, and the user pushes it through the gun using a mechanical trigger or direct finger pressure. The glue is initially hot enough to burn and blister skin, but it solidifies in a few seconds to a minute. HMAs can also be applied by dipping or spraying and are popular for crafts and hobbies. They are also used in industrial applications as they offer advantages over solvent-based adhesives, including the reduction or elimination of volatile organic compounds and the elimination of the drying or curing step.
Different types of plastics require different types of adhesives, and hot melt adhesives come in a variety of formulations for different applications and bonding requirements. Polyolefins (PO), for example, are used for difficult-to-bond plastics and have good adhesion to polypropylene. They also have a longer open time than EVA and polyamides, good moisture barrier properties, and chemical resistance against polar solvents and solutions of acids, bases, and alcohols.
APO hot melts have good fuel and acid resistance, moderate heat resistance, good adhesion, and longer open times than crystalline polyolefins. They are often used with tackifiers, waxes, and plasticizers such as mineral oil and poly-butene oil. Polyurethanes (PUR), or reactive urethanes, are another type of hot-melt adhesive used for high temperatures and high flexibility. They have a higher ratio of soft to hard segments, providing better flexibility, elongation, and low-temperature performance but lower hardness, modulus, and abrasion resistance.
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Frequently asked questions
Different types of plastics require different types of adhesives. For instance, clear, brittle plastics like imitation glass or CD cases are usually polystyrene, and a poly cement will work best on these. Legos are made of ABS plastic, and if the plastic feels similar to a Lego block, an epoxy cement should be used. Polyethylene and polypropylene plastics are nearly impossible to glue unless you use an adhesive marked specifically for these plastics.
Styrene plastic is commonly used in injection-molded plastic kits. Glues such as Testor's tube and liquid glues, Tamiya's Extra Thin, and Plastruct's liquid glues are formulated to be used with styrene kits.
Tamiya Extra Thin is a good option for gap filling.
MMA structural adhesives are fast-curing adhesives that create strong and effective structural bonds. They cure quickly at room temperature and have full bond strength soon after application.
Cyanoacrylate (CA) glue or 2-part epoxies can be used for bonding unlike materials, such as metal or resin to styrene, or resin to resin or metal, and metal to metal.
