Glue plastic: which materials can be glued and how

Gluing plastic: which materials can be glued and how

When it comes to gluing plastic, it can be a challenge to choose the right material and glue to get a strong and lasting bond. We offer a wide range of plastic materials and have long experience of working with different types of plastics. In this article, we will go through which materials can be glued and how to proceed.

An important factor when it comes to gluing plastic is surface energy. Surface energy is the energy required to break the surface bonds between two materials. If the surface energy is too low, the glue cannot bind to the plastic and the bonds become weak. That is, if the surface energy is too low, the glue cannot create a strong bond to the plastic.

Materials that can be glued

There are several types of plastic that can be glued well, such as PC, PMMA, ABS and PVC. These materials have a relatively high surface energy, which makes it easier for the glue to bind to the surface. For these materials, you can use different types of glue, such as epoxy, cyanoacrylate and structural glue.

But what happens if you want to glue materials like PE, PP, PTFE or POM? These materials have a low surface energy, which makes it difficult for the glue to bind to the surface. How can you then solve this problem? One possible solution is to use a surface treatment, such as flame treatment, to increase the surface energy.

Surface treatment

Surface treatment is an important step when it comes to gluing plastic. By treating the surface, you can increase the surface energy and make it easier for the glue to bind to the surface. There are several types of surface treatments, such as mechanical processing, chemical processing and flame treatment.

Flame treatment is a common method for increasing the surface energy of materials like PE, PP, PTFE and POM. By exposing the surface to a flame, you can increase the surface energy and make it easier for the glue to bind to the surface. But how do you know if flame treatment is the right method for the material you want to glue?

A good question to ask yourself is: have I chosen the right material and glue for my application? If you are not sure of the answer, it may be a good idea to consult an expert or read more about the material and glue in question.

Glue types

There are several types of glue that can be used to glue plastic, such as epoxy, cyanoacrylate and structural glue. Epoxy is a common glue used to glue plastic, but it can take a long time to harden. Cyanoacrylate is a fast-hardening glue that can be used to glue plastic, but it can be sensitive to moisture and temperature.

Structural glue is a glue that is specially developed for gluing plastic and other materials that are subjected to high loads. It is a good choice if you need a strong and lasting bond. But which glue type is best depends on the material and application.

Another important factor to consider is the shore hardness of the plastic material. For example, PE-HD has a shore hardness of 65 Shore D, while POM-C has a shore hardness of 80 Shore D. This can affect the choice of glue and surface treatment.

Conclusion

Gluing plastic can be a challenge, but with the right material, glue and surface treatment, you can create strong and lasting bonds. We hope that this article has given you a better understanding of which materials can be glued and how to proceed.

If you have questions or need help choosing the right material and glue for your application, you are welcome to contact us. We have long experience of working with plastic and can help you find the right solution.

Until next time, when you need help with gluing plastic, remember that surface energy is an important factor and that the right glue and surface treatment can make a big difference. You can also visit our website to read more about our plastic materials and glues.