Acrylic cement

[engineer]

I neeeeeeed help from someone/anyone. I am running into severe difficulties finding the good Acrylic cement around here. I have been everywhere and no one has a clue what the hell i am talking about!!!!!!! searched billions on post here on the DIY forums, couldnt find a name or anything anywhere!!!!!!!!

 

[engineer]

never mind, as soon as i got done typing this I found it.

 

[boricua]

Originally Posted by engineer
never mind, as soon as i got done typing this I found it.
Hi, engineer
Could you share with us what you found?
Thanks.

 

[dogstar]

Most local plastic suppliers ( yellowpages ) will carry every thing for working with acrylic. Best solvent is Weld-On products.

 

[phixer]

IPS makes decent solvent and polymerizable cements.

 

[engineer]

Actually none of the glass places here even knew what I was talking about. The Weldon series is what I was looking for and found. I found it available online somewhere also. I just did a search on Weldon Acrylic Cement.

 

[chipmaker]

Matters not what brand, Weldon IPS Craftics, its all still methylene chloride. One is not necessarily any better than the other. #4 is best for wick application but depending on application and size you may be able to get by on #3, and for a heaveir thick body cement #16 in a squeeze tube.

 

[phixer]

Thats right, several satisfactory solvent cements of this type are ethylene dichloride, trichloro ethylene and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK).
Acetone, and chloroform should not be used as solvent cements because of their strong solvent action. The use of Glacial acetic acid as a (for lack of a better word) slowing agent is controversial but when used in the proper ratio can slow down the evaporation rate of some solvents and give a longer work time when bonding large thick panels.

 

[engineer]

Correct me if I am wrong but the weldon and other similar cements work on Lexan the same as it does with plexi and acrylic?

 

[chipmaker]

I use Weldon and Craftics, and yes they can be used on Lexan. From what I have read on the bonding of Lexan to plexi, though its not recomended to bond unlike together......but I have bonded a heap of plexi to lexan and its virtually impossible to get apart......Lexan is not realy recomended for aquarium use due to water absorption properties. Hard to belive but it can and will absorb water.

 

[engineer]

What? are you serious? I thought that since lexan is a heavier duty plexi it would be better. I wouldnt be adhering plexi to lexan!

 

[phixer]

They are both thermoplastics and will bond together, Lexan has a lower molecular weight therefore absorbs more water. The moisture absorbtion of acrylic is less than 2.5% but with time the absorbed moisture will penetrate the full thickness of the panel. With thick panels this may require many years however there is no decline in optical performance. The absorbed moisture does not affect the physical properties of the Acrylic. Mositure absorbtion actually benefits the structural performance of acrylic. If you want to know Id be glad to explain later on because the answer is too lengthy for now.
Polycarbonate i.e "Lexan" is generally considered a window grade polycarbonate and is not normally used for aquariums or containers holding water due to its cost, but it can be. The confusion with Polycarbonate often originates because there are 3 types of it. Lexan is one type and is considered window grade, its commonly used where bullet proof enclosures are required. Will it work for holding water? sure and then some but do you really need a bullet proof fish tank or protein skimmer, good for bragging rights I suppose, but not really practical IMO? It is generally not as popular as cell cast or extruded acrylic in the aquarium industry due to its cost. The other types of Polycarbonate are machine grade i.e parts applications and glass reinforced. I wont repeat what is already said but this link is a good starting point. If you still have questions after reading this ask away.
http://www.sdplastics.com/polycarb.html
Hope this helps.

 

[engineer]

Well typically I wouldnt want bullt proof plexi for a fish tank, but the guy wanted to give me a whole 4x8x1/2" sheet minus one corner for $30 because they special ordered it for someone, and he didnt want it. they cut the corner out of it for someone else, and so it is still there. The downsides are that it doesnt have the protective paper on it so it is a lil scuffed AND I would have to cut it myself. I think I can live with the scuffed-ness for that price.....

 

[phixer]

You got a good deal and when you get done you can honestly say its bullet proof...well almost :hilarious