How to glue Acrylic

This video segment will show you the basics of gluing acrylic. The concepts shown here also apply to other plastics with gluing properties similar to acrylic. More videos available at tapplastics.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• tap
• plastics
• how-to
• instructional
• glue
• acrylic
• plastic
• adhesives

[will20091995]

may you answer this question please

how your tank is glued ? with silicon or what ?

the guy who makes my tank said it cant be done by silicon so can you help please please please

[tapplastics]

@will20091995 Silicone is commonly used with glass tanks with a frame to provide structural support. Acrylic is glued with acrylic cement as described in the video.

[KeeperOfTheGood]

I am very new to this. Is there a mixed materials version of this cement? Some situations I have on hand at the moment is the need to glue HDPE to acrylic and CPVC to acrylic (crazy glues just snap apart). On a second project involving a water reservoir would silicone tubing be bondable to an acrylic box? I also have a 2x2x12 inch block of nylon that I have no intentions with at the moment but should ask about as well.

[tapplastics]

@KeeperOfTheGood Each combination you describe would require a different adhesive. Some adhesives are solvent based, and weld the pieces together, as described in this video. Others behave as glues, holding the parts together with their ability to 'stick'. HDPE can best be bonded with TAP Poly-Weld, available at our website. Space does not permit a complete answer here. Contact TAP Plastics for more information.

[MichelleMassecre]

Do acrylic sheets bend over time?

I'm making an extension to my turtle's tank, so if I use a piece as the floor, will it eventually bend as he uses it?

[tapplastics]

@MichelleMassecre It depends on the thickness, span, and the amount of weight. The proper thickness will remain flat.

[joncoppola28]

>>>This is by far, the best tutorial anywhere. I've never cut or welded acrylic before. At least for art sake.

I used to make skylights, so I have an idea, but we never used weld on 16. All plastic welding was done with large machines and ovens.

Thanks a lot for tips!

[canadianhotbod1]

I am building a 250 gallon plywood aquarium. What thickness of Acrylic should I use and What would that cost? the tank is made from 3/4 in plywood sealed with silicone and water proof epoxy ( glass thickness and size I would use is 5/8 in. 25" tall X 70.5" long and cost me $180.00 before tax)

[tapplastics]

@KoolAide187 That is a good description of what happens.

[tapplastics]

The second method is to use a hammer and a screwdriver or ice pick. Carefully drive the screwdriver or ice pick through the seal, then pry it off. When doing this, cover the top of the can with a gloved hand to prevent a possible splash, and wear safety glasses whenever working with chemicals.

[tapplastics]

@pkfilseth That is not a stupid question. There are a couple of methods of removing the seal. One is to take the tip of a pair of pliers and gently squeeze the lip of the can and the seal while prying toward the center of the can. In doing so, the pliers will slip over the lip of the can and grab the seal, which can then be pulled off.

[pkfilseth]

Really stupid question ... but how do you open the darn can of acrylic cement? There's a tough metal seal that says "Cut This Out," but I have no idea how to do that. It's too tough for a knife. I'm worried that this is a can of solvent, and that I'm going to end up spraying this stuff everywhere just trying to get into the can. I'm sure lots of you experienced folks are laughing like crazy at this question :-) , but for a non-savvy newbie, this is a temporary show stopper.

[KoolAide187]

So the cement isn't a glue and it welds the 2 pieces together. So basically it's like a chemical that melts the acrylic together? I am trying to get a better understanding of this stuff for acrylic work.