How to glue a paper label to plastic. Adhesive selection criteria for plastic

It would seem that solving the problem of restoring a broken plastic thing is simple - for this it is necessary to connect the broken parts and glue it. But not always the use of glue gives the expected result. And all because all adhesives for plastics are different. To answer the question of how to glue plastic tightly, you should study the features and properties of the most popular compounds, and choose the best among them.

Types of glue for plastic

It is sometimes more difficult to glue material from synthetic polymers than ceramics and metal. The structure of the plastic has a smooth surface and, accordingly, low adhesion. In industrial production, welding is used to connect plastic parts. Gluing plastic at home in this way is impossible, therefore, repairs are carried out using glue.

The main component present in most adhesives is a special blend that dissolves synthetic polymers. To give the compositions viscous properties, liquid polystyrene is added to them.

The principle of action of such compounds is to dissolve parts of different surfaces. After compressing them under pressure, there is a strong adhesion of the parts to be glued to each other.

Depending on the composition, all adhesives are divided into the following types:

1. hot glue;
2. contact;
3. liquid;
4. reactionary.

To understand what glue is better to glue plastic, it is necessary to study the properties and features of each type of glue.

Hot glue

Such connecting compositions are solid rods. To impart bonding properties, they must be heated to a certain temperature. For this purpose use special pistols.

As a rule, hot melt adhesives are used in creativity, since they are notable for their low bond strength and are poorly suited for precision work.

You can also find hot melt adhesives in stores that are designed for use without a gun. Their advantage is ease of use and quick hardening.

Contact

Those who think how to glue plastic at home quickly and easily should pay attention to contact adhesives. A special hardener is sold with some of them. Getting started, it is necessary to mix the two compounds according to the instructions on the package.

Such compositions are able to rigidly connect plastic parts, but are highly toxic. It is necessary to use contact adhesive for plastic, strictly following the instructions.

Before connecting the two parts on which the contact adhesive is applied, you should wait at least 10 minutes until it dries, and only then firmly press the two parts together.

Liquid

Liquid substances are simple and affordable, but at the same time they have the lowest quality of joining plastic parts. They can be made on a water basis, or have a solvent.

It is recommended to use them for work with small objects that will not be subjected to further loads. Liquid adhesives are not prone to destruction of the structure of plastic. This is very important when working with small parts, since adhesive that dissolves plastic can deform them. They harden long enough, therefore, after repair work, it is necessary to leave glued parts for at least a day.

Reactionary

Such household compositions are considered the most reliable, and at the same time they are one of the most affordable. It should be noted that many of them have their own application features.

So, when working with some of them, the connected parts must be left to dry in the open air. Other formulations require exposure to ultraviolet rays, while still others work only under water.

Reaction adhesives can be:

• One component.
• Two-component.

Both one-component and two-component adhesives for plastics can include components such as polyurethane, epoxies, polyesters.

The best waterproof adhesives

Waterproof compounds are used to connect parts that are exposed to moisture. For example, such adhesives connect PVC pipes and other plastic materials in the bathroom or in the kitchen.

The best glue for plastic, according to many, is Moment Plastic. It belongs to contact and perfectly connects almost all types of plastic. Due to the presence of harmful substances in its composition, they are not advised to glue objects in contact with food or human skin.

The moment Plastic dries very quickly, it casts with high strength even under the influence of moisture, temperature fluctuations, alkalis, acids.

This epoxy adhesive for plastic is characterized by superfast adhesion - it hardens after 20 minutes after application. The composition is simple and convenient to use, it is good for them to close up cracks and fasten the cleaved parts. It is suitable for all major types of plastic.

Loctite 406 is a waterproof adhesive for plastic, which is quite convenient to apply. When applied, it is well distributed over the surface. Loctite 406 is characterized by high strength characteristics when bonding both glossy and rough surfaces.

The best heat-resistant adhesives

When the question arises, how can plastic be glued to plastic in places where high temperatures are affected, it is worth paying attention to heat-resistant compounds. Such substances are able to withstand high temperatures for a long time, without losing their original strength.

Rexant is a transparent adhesive for plastic, available in rods designed for pistols. This manufacturer also produces rods of green, blue and other colors, which are used to visually mask joints when gluing colored parts.

This heat-resistant and moisture-resistant adhesive sealant includes silicone, which hardens under the influence of moist air. The glue is highly resistant to heat and can withstand temperatures up to 300 ° C.

When using hot melt adhesive to connect plastic, it must be remembered that the plastic materials themselves are not able to withstand high temperatures.

Elite Drakon is a polymer adhesive for plastics, parquet, ceramics, wood and other materials. Using this tool, you can glue materials of different composition, without fear for the quality of bonding. The dragon has high adhesion and heat resistance.

With the right choice of glue and its optimal use, you can successfully glue any plastic part. Compliance with the recommendations specified in the instructions will allow you to restore a broken thing without unnecessary material costs.

Plastic products are widespread in everyday life. If they break, you need to know what glue for plastic will be needed for repair. So that the bonding result is durable and safe, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the types of plastic and the rules for selecting the adhesive composition.

What does marking on plastic mean?

Since some adhesives may not fasten but dissolve the plastic, it is recommended to study the marking on a broken product. An icon with a plastic type looks like a triangle formed by arrows (a recycling symbol). Inside it there are numbers from 1 to 7, and below there is an inscription. According to these identification marks, the material belongs to one or another type of plastic, which will allow you to choose the right glue.

What types of plastic exist:

• 1 (PET) - stands for polyethylene terephthalate. Food packaging for liquid products is made from it.
• 2 (HDPE) - high density polyethylene, designed for the production of packaging and shrink film.
• 3 (PVC) - polyvinyl chloride, better known as PVC. Plastic windows, linoleum, etc. are made from it.
• 4 (LDPE) - low-density polyethylene; toys for children, pipes, bottles, and packaging are made from it.
• 5 (PP) - polypropylene, heat-resistant material. It is used for the production of food packaging, medical disposable instruments, household appliances, pipes, thermal dishes.
• 6 (PS) - polystyrene. Disposable dishes are made from it. Foamed polystyrene is widely used in construction.
• 7 (O) - this type of plastic is not recyclable, consists of a mixture of polymers, paper, foil.

Adhesive marking

The main difficulty is that the labeling of the adhesive does not coincide with the symbols of plastic recycling.

How is adhesive for plastic labeled?:

• PE - polyethylene;
• PC - polycarbonate;
• PP is polypropylene;
• PVC - polyvinyl chloride;
• PMMA - organic glass;
• PUR - polyurethane;
• PA 66 - polyamide.

Sometimes it’s easier to find understandable instructions in Russian than a marking icon. But if there are no recommendations on the package, then the designations will help to make the right choice.

Types of glue

Plastic is characterized by low adhesion due to smoothness, therefore it is more difficult to glue it than other materials. In industry, such products are fastened by welding. At home, this method does not apply, but you can pick up a good glue. The principle of action of the composition is this: it dissolves the surface, and with strong compression, the parts are connected. Therefore, the main component of the adhesive for plastic is the solvent of synthetic polymers. For viscosity, the composition contains liquid polystyrene.

  Liquid glue for plastic and plastic moment

The group of adhesives for plastics can be divided into the following types:

1. Hot glue. Represents solid glue sticks. They must be heated before use. There are special, there are also types of glue for use without a gun. Such a composition is suitable for small jobs, as it does not have a special connection strength.
2. Contact. It is often sold complete with a hardener, which must be mixed with the bulk in the proportions indicated on the pack. This type of glue can firmly glue the plastic, but there is one drawback: the product is toxic. Personal protective equipment must be used. For better fastening of parts after applying the glue, wait 10 minutes, and only then firmly squeeze them.
3.   It is made on a water basis and is considered the least effective way of bonding. It dries for a long time (at least a day). It is used to repair small items that are not subjected to increased loads. But liquid glue samples do not deform the plastic, it is very important for working with small parts.
4. Reactionary   - A reliable and affordable version of the adhesive for plastic. There are several types of such compounds: some are designed to work under water, others freeze under the influence of ultraviolet light, and others work outdoors. There are one-component and two-component.

Advice! Do not use toxic contact adhesive to glue children's toys.

Product Examples

What can be found on the shelves of construction and hardware stores:

1. « Moment plastic"   - A type of glue that connects many types of plastics. It has a transparent base, quickly seizes and forms a strong connection. It is a waterproof and heat-resistant composition. However, it contains toxic substances and is not used to repair products that come in contact with food or skin.
2. "Super Moment"- second glue.
3.   - epoxy adhesive, hardens in 20 seconds. Simple and easy to use composition.
4. "" - a brand offering several types of glue for plastic. Among them, adhesive-sealant for transparent plastic, composition Plus   for PVC PMMA   - glue for polystyrene and acrylic surfaces.
5. « Second"- superglue for hard plastics. One of the fastest action compounds.
6. For minor car repairs, special automotive sealants for plastic are sold.
7. Rexant   - hot glue, available in the form of rods. It can be transparent or color (to mask joints if colored parts are connected).
8. Akfix HT300   - heat and water resistant composition. Withstands temperatures up to +300 degrees. This adhesive sealant contains silicone. It reacts to moist air.

This is not the whole range that the adhesive industry offers. This is not to say that some kind of glue is better or worse. Each composition is designed for specific types of work. Read the instructions carefully and follow all the recommendations.

How to glue plastic

The type of plastic is installed, the necessary glue is selected. How to glue plastic objects:

1. Parts should be cleaned. If necessary, the object is degreased with a soap solution or ethyl alcohol. A clean surface has greater adhesion, and objects will be easier to adhere.
2. It does not hurt to lightly sand the surfaces to roughen them. So glue is better taken.
3. Two-component compositions are kneaded only after preparation of the surfaces.
4. If the parts are covered with glue with a brush, then an object with artificial bristles is taken.
5. The adhesive is applied in such an amount that when compressed, its excess does not come to the surface.
6. It is necessary to compress objects among themselves firmly, but accurately.
7. The duration of adherence to the materials depends on the adhesive selected.

Advice! Use a needle to glue a thin crack.

Sometimes you need to attach a variety of materials to plastic: wood, glass or metal. In this case, the adhesive must take into account the features of the two surfaces to be joined, and not just plastic.

  Clay Super moment

Work tips with plastic:

1. For outdoor use waterproof glue is used.
2. Despite the high temperature that the adhesive can withstand, plastic objects themselves should not be exposed to it.
3. When working with contact adhesive, ventilate the room.
4. The best adhesive for marking 7 (O) is epoxy. This type is also suitable for polystyrene.
5. If there is no marking on the product, then proceed from this: for plastic toys and artificial glass, mainly polystyrene is taken; for bottles, buckets and boxes suitable adhesive designed for polypropylene and polyethylene.

Take the time to study the labeling of plastic products and glue. If the repair of small toys such as "Lego" is a simple process, then for more serious work, the "Secunda" glue familiar to everyone may not be suitable.

When modeling and manufacturing various crafts, it is often necessary to quickly and reliably glue cardboard parts or stick cardboard to other materials - fabrics, wood, foam, cork, metal, etc.

Unlike thin paper, cardboard is a tougher and denser material, therefore, such a clerical (silicate) glue can not afford this task, especially when it comes to gluing dimensional parts.

• PVA is a classic adhesive based on an aqueous dispersion of polyvinyl acetate. This composition is successfully used for bonding various porous materials - paper, cardboard, wood, fiberboard, MDF, fabric, etc. Today, PVA remains the most popular adhesive in cardboard modeling.

Suitable for bonding almost all natural materials.

On sale you can find several varieties of this glue: clerical, household, universal and construction.

Choosing pVA glue for cardboard, we recommend that you pay attention to the universal PVA glue, the so-called PVA-MB. It is not as liquid as clerical, and not as rough as building, which is used for gluing linoleum and carpet.

It is most advantageous to buy universal PVA glue in construction stores, where it is sold, as a rule, in large packages (500 g, 1 kg, etc.). As for the shortcomings, it has one PVA glue - after drying, the glued parts warp a little.

• Moment Joiner Express   - modern adhesive composition from Henkel. Designed specifically for working with wood, plywood, veneer, fiberboard, MDF, cardboard and other natural materials.

It resembles PVA glue in its composition, but it has been improved with special additives that improve the adhesion of the composition and make it more elastic when dried. Glue Corrugated Cardboard   this glue is very convenient, since the glue line seizes quickly, excluding the sliding of glued parts.

After drying, the Joiner Express moment becomes colorless, which is important for modeling - glue will not be visible in the seams between the parts to be glued.

• UHU Holzleim Express modeling adhesive   - quick-setting adhesive for wood, has a surprisingly high adhesive ability.

It is specially developed by UHU specialists for modeling, performing housework, repairing wooden furniture, etc. It is designed for gluing any wood and wood-like materials in any combination.

Ideally glues cardboard and paper, it is also intended for gluing cardboard with cardboard.

It is irreplaceable when fast setting of glued surfaces is required. After drying, it becomes transparent, resistant to moisture.

• Moment Universal Gel   - a modern waterproof and frost-resistant express adhesive in the form of a gel, so it does not spread and does not drip.

It retains elasticity after drying, does not warp and does not deform the glued parts.

The Universal Gel moment is widely used in modeling and creativity when it is necessary to quickly and reliably glue wood, ceramics, PVC, rubber, cork, fabrics and other materials.

Ideal for gluing paper, cardboard and corrugated board, including inclined surfaces and surfaces of a large area.

• "505" Universal second glue   - liquid transparent adhesive composition similar in consistency to water. Designed for bonding metal, rubber, leather, ceramics, paper, cardboard, wood, plastic, etc.

It is irreplaceable when instant fixing of small details from paper and a cardboard is required at modeling.

Paper (cardboard) modeling is one of the most affordable types of technical creativity, however, when working with cardboard and glue, certain nuances should be taken into account.

In particular, it is necessary to work extremely carefully with water-based adhesives, since when dried, the water “pulls” the material, and the product begins to deform.

To prevent the paper from warping during drying, apply glue with a thin even layer to one of the surfaces to be glued. After that, the parts are joined and ironed so that air bubbles do not form under them.

No need to try to assemble the model quickly, this should be done in stages, only after the frame has completely dried.

When working with glue Moment, safety precautions should be observed, since it is made on the basis of solvents. It is not recommended to inhale its vapors, since they are toxic, after gluing the product should be left to dry in a ventilated room.

Often in everyday life or in the manufacture of furniture we have to glue various materials. In the carpentry and furniture business, the skills of the master in this type of work play a large role.

The quality of bonding depends, first of all, on the preliminary treatment of the surfaces to be bonded. The surfaces to be glued are thoroughly cleaned of dirt, grease, residues of old glue or paint, the surface must always be dry and clean. Materials with a mirror-smooth surface do not adhere well to each other, so clean them with a knife, sandpaper or a file.

When bonding metal, porcelain, glass stone and some other parts, it is necessary to degrease them first by washing them with warm soapy water and then rinsing them. You can also degrease the surface by wiping them with a swab soaked in gasoline, acetone, and a solution of drinking soda soaked in a solution of ammonia.

When bonding various materials, several rules must be observed: apply glue to the surface only with a thin layer, but so that there are no missing places. The glue should be without any impurities (sawdust, dust, and so on) and a uniform consistency, that is, it should not contain lumps. A thick layer of thick glue does not at all contribute to a stronger bonding. According to the instructions, some types of adhesives should be heated before use. We would advise you not only to heat the glue itself, but also to heat the glued materials. Then the bonding strength will increase.

As a rule, bonded parts are dried in heat not lower than 18 ° C. Details should be pressed tightly against each other using a press, oppression or vice.

When gluing wood, it is recommended to heat the glued surfaces. It is desirable that the humidity of the parts to be glued is the same, but, in any case, does not exceed 10-12%. We would recommend dry wood bonding with animals and synthetic adhesives. Animal adhesives include bone and casein. We note right away that preparing bone glue for work requires quite a lot of time, but this disadvantage is more than compensated by its advantages. It is advantageous to apply when a large amount of work is performed. The joints glued with this glue are very durable, which distinguishes it from others, even expensive ones, such as BF-2. Glued parts withstand a load of up to 60 kg per 1 square. cm, which is several times higher than other glues. And finally, you can store tiles of dry carpentry glue for an unlimited time, they practically do not deteriorate.

To prepare joiner's glue should be in a special glue maker. The glue machine consists of two tin vessels, one of which (wider) is filled with water, and glue is poured into the second (smaller) and placed in the first. The pastry machine can be successfully replaced with ordinary cans, one of which is larger than the other. Such a device (water bath) does not allow the glue to burn and can hold heat for a long time. To weld bone glue, first break dry glue into small pieces and fill it with water. Let the glue swell for 10-12 hours, and then set to boil. To prepare liquid glue for 4 parts by weight of dry glue, take 3-4 parts of water. Glue should be heated, stirring, so that the entire mass turns out without clots and grains. Do not bring the glue to a boil, this may reduce its stickiness and resistance. The readiness of the glue is determined by dipping a stick in it.

The glue is ready if it flows off the stick slowly, in a thick, even stream. If the glue during cooking is too thick, you can dilute it with hot water. When working, hot glue is used, if it has cooled slightly, it can be heated in a water bath. Do not immediately brew a large amount of glue. Brew as much as you need to do the work; reheating an already frozen adhesive degrades its properties. In the preparation of bone glue, you can also give it refractory properties. To do this, dissolve 100 g of glue in 200 g of water and boil it in a glue maker until a thick composition is obtained, then add 40 g of drying oil to it and boil again. An increase in the stickiness of the composition can be achieved by adding zinc or lead white to the adhesive at a rate of 25: 2.

When preparing casein glue, take 300-400 g of water at room temperature and pour 100 g of glue powder into it. The glue powder should be poured into the water gradually, constantly stirring until a homogeneous creamy mass is formed. The finished mixture will first be thick and set aside for some time to liquefy. You do not need to add water to the mixture. The finished glue should drain from the stick with a continuous stream, leaving a thin shiny film on it. Remember that casein glue does not heat up, since at temperatures above 40 ° C casein coagulates and loses its adhesive properties. Glue powder can be prepared at home, provided the necessary components. The glue contains 7 parts by weight of dry casein in powder and 1 part by weight of borax (sodium boric acid).

To prepare glue from such a powder, you need 8 parts by weight of water. Pour casein with cold water in a 1: 1 ratio and let stand for 3 hours. Dissolve borax in hot water and fill in the swollen casein with the resulting solution. Stir continuously until a sufficiently thick homogeneous mass is obtained. Details glued with casein glue are kept under pressure for 4 hours, but finally the glue dries out only after 12 hours. The big advantage of casein glue is that it can glue wood of high humidity. Wood can also be glued with other glues, for example, synthetic wood glue, various resin adhesives and some other uses, carefully read the proposed instructions.

Sometimes it is required to stick plastic, leather, dermatin, decorative plywood, fabric or synthetic film on a wooden surface. Plywood can be firmly glued to wood with casein or synthetic wood glue. You can also glue plywood and tiled wood glue, but it forms a noticeable dark seam. Do not apply a layer of glue directly to thin plywood, as it may shrink. With a layer of glue, better cover the surface of the wood, and then lay a plywood sheet on it and press firmly on top with oppression. The pressure should be about 8 kg; it should lie under oppression for about 7-8 hours.

To glue the plastic, use rubber-based adhesives. It can be such adhesives as 88N, Zh-3, KR-1, "Elastosila-2". Before gluing, it is necessary to carefully treat the surface of wood or plastic.

Clean the wood from dust, and process the back of the plastic with sandpaper until the plastic becomes a little rough. Work corners and edges especially carefully. Then wipe the treated plastic surface with a swab dipped in gasoline to degrease it. Apply glue in a thin layer on both glued surfaces and connect them. Pressing the plastic firmly to the tree, run your hands from the middle to the edges to squeeze all the air out from under the plastic, and then put something heavy on the plastic so that the pressure is evenly distributed over the whole surface to be glued at least 4-5 kg \u200b\u200bper 1 sq. . see. Leaves oppression for half an hour. Such bonding is finally hardened during the day.

Use glues: Oak, Unicum, BF-6, Polyvinyl Acetate to glue fabric, leather, leather substitutes to the wooden base.

Also at home, with the necessary components, you can prepare a high-quality adhesive. To do this, you will need 400 g of wheat flour, 30 g of rosin, 15 g of aluminum alum and 100 g of water. Mix dry components, fill with water and put on low heat, or even better, use a gluing machine. During the preparation of the glue, do not forget to stir it periodically so that lumps do not form. As soon as the glue begins to thicken, it is ready. Make sure that the adhesive is uniform. This glue is used only when hot. Leather and leather substitutes (without a fabric base) degrease synthetic films with acetone gasoline. Fabrics do not need pre-treatment before gluing. Glue both surfaces, glue them and iron with a warm iron through a wet cloth until it dries.

It is better not to adhere fabrics and synthetic films with the BF-6 and Polyvinyl Acetate adhesives, as the BF-6 adhesive can shine through the front surface and stain the fabrics in yellowish color. Glue "Polyvinyl acetate" is destroyed by the action of water.

Metal parts are best glued to wood using rubber adhesives, such as Zh-3, KR-1, 88-N, 88-NP, Pateks, Elastosila-2. If you need to glue small metal objects (hooks, shelves) to a wooden surface, we would not recommend using the first three of these brands of adhesives. These adhesives form the so-called "creeping seams", that is, under the influence of loads, a metal object will move off a wooden surface. Before gluing, file the metal surface to roughen it, and then degrease with gasoline or acetone. On both surfaces to be glued, apply a thin layer of adhesive, clamp the parts in a vise and leave for a few minutes. Finally, the glue will dry in 10-12 hours.

To glue smooth surfaces, use the same adhesives "Elastosila-2" glue.

On glue surfaces previously degreased with acetone, apply a thin layer of glue and leave for one hour. After that, wipe the surfaces with a swab dipped in acetone and connect them. Clamp the glued parts for 4-5 hours in a vice. Finally, the glue hardens in 10-12 hours.

Glass is most often glued with adhesives such as Polyvinyl Acetate, Mars, Supercement, BF-2, Pateks, Unikum. These adhesives form practically colorless seams and are not destroyed by moisture. Before gluing, degrease the glass with acetone, apply a thin layer of glue to the surfaces to be glued and allow it to dry a little within 10 minutes. Put the second layer and in 2-3 minutes connect the stuck together details. Details for 20-30 minutes should be firmly pressed against each other. The glue completely hardens only after a day.

To glue glass and metal together, take “Adhesive-Sealant”, “Elastosila-2”, “Unicum”. Degrease both surfaces, grease with glue and clamp the parts in the clamp for 30 minutes. The glue finally hardens and becomes waterproof after three days.

You can glue glass to the tree, as well as glue fabric or cardboard on it with glues PVA, PVA-A, Polyvinyl Acetate. Degrease the glass with acetone, grease the surface with glue and put the parts under the press for an hour. The glue will dry in a day.

At home, for bonding metals, BF-2 or Epoxy glue is used. Clean surfaces from dust, dirt, rust, sandpaper. Rinse treated surfaces with clean water and dry well. Degrease surfaces with gasoline or acetone. Apply glue on the surface with a thin layer and leave it for an hour. Then place the greased blanks in the oven, heated to 50-60 ° C, and dry for 10-15 minutes. Apply a second layer of glue to the metal and, as soon as it begins to dry out (it stops sticking to your fingers), connect the parts to each other. It is better if you clamp the parts in a vice and dry in the oven at a temperature of 130-150 ° C for 1-2 hours. In cold drying
  fully hardens only after 2-3 days.

Epoxy glue is irreplaceable in some cases. It consists of two resin and hardener components.

Using it, work with gloves, as the hardener is toxic; if hardener gets on your hands, remove it with a swab dipped in acetone, and then rinse your hands with running water. Before mixing the resin and hardener, it is advisable to heat the resin in a bowl with hot water, but not higher than 30 ° C. Mix the warm resin with the hardener in the ratio specified in the instructions, and use the prepared glue as well as others.

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Often we need to glue a broken or cracked plastic product - from the temple of glasses to the bumper of the car. You may also need to stick a hook in the bathroom or a holder for a garden spray. The essence of the gluing process is to dissolve the surface layer of two blanks and form a plastic layer from this solution that is common to both parts. After solidification, the parts form a single whole, or, as they say, "stick together tightly."

Determine the type of plastic

to reliably glue plastic, first of all, you need to find out what kind of plastic the item is made of. Knowing the plastic, you can choose the most suitable adhesive for it.

All manufacturers apply recycling symbols to their plastic products - this is the familiar Recycling Triangle - a triangle with arrows on its sides, symbolizing the reuse of materials.

In a triangle - numbers from one to seven. Often the numbers are supplemented by an abbreviation. These designations determine the type of plastic.

What does marking on plastic mean?

• PET low pressure polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate. It is mainly used for packaging or packaging food. Available in the form of film, bags or transparent containers for liquid and bulk goods, as well as drinks.
• HDPE sealed low pressure polyethylene. Used to produce shrink film and packaging bags.
• V (PVC) polyvinyl chloride - non-food plastic, used for the manufacture of strong and durable items, such as household buckets, frames of metal-plastic windows, linoleum.
• LDPE High density low density polyethylene. It is used in the production of bottles for drinks and dairy products, packaging bags, toys, pipes for cold water.
• PP polypropylene. Plastic is not chemically active, heat-resistant (up to 150 ° C), it is most widely used in the production of medical goods, heat-resistant dishes and household utensils, toys, pipes and fittings for hot water, and much more.
• PS polystyrene. Also, food-grade plastic, they make disposable tableware, household utensils, and kitchen appliance cases. If it is foamed, it forms a beautiful porous heat insulator - a foam used in everyday life and in construction work.
• O Other - materials not intended for recycling, for example, with inclusions of metal, paper or other substances). This also includes plastics that do not belong to one of six groups.

PS - polystyrene

To reliably glue the plastic, you need to carefully consider the markings on the product and select an adhesive designed for polymers of this group. There is another way to determine the type of plastic - a small piece of it must be set on fire. Each type burns with a characteristic smell and type of flame. For reliable application of this method at home, you need to gain considerable experience.

Adhesive marking

Tubes with glue are also labeled, it is a pity that the notation system does not always coincide with the notation in the triangle on the plastic product. Most often on the tube you can see the following characters:

• PC-polycarbonate (used to block greenhouses and awnings).
• ABS is a copolymer of acrylonitrile.
• PP polypropylene.
• PPMA organic glass for general use.
• PE is a familiar polyethylene.
• PVC is another familiar vinyl or polyvinyl chloride.
• PS - polystyrene.
• PA 66 - polyamide.
• PUR polyurethane.

If you are not a specialist in organic chemistry, then, most likely, further study of labeling at home will not succeed. It is better to read in the user manual, which must be attached to the tube, which plastics can be glued to them.

Adhesive Types

The variety of plastics used in everyday life corresponds to the equally wide variety of manufactured formulations and methods of their use.

How to glue plastic

To dissolve the surface layer of the material, it is necessary to break the chemical bonds between the molecules. For this, special substances-strong solvents are used. Each solvent approaches its own group of plastics, and may not even leave a trace on material from another group. Each adhesive is based on such a solvent. In addition, the composition may include:

• hardener, contributing to its drying;
• filler - dissolved molecules of the substance for which the adhesive is intended.

One of the strongest solvents is dichloroethane. It is used to glue polystyrene and plexiglass.

Depending on the method of application, the agents are divided into several groups:

• liquid;
• contact;
• reactionary;
• hot melt adhesives.

Liquid

Liquid is widely distributed in everyday life, they are easily and simply used at home for gluing plastic having a porous structure. They are available both on the basis of an organic solvent, and on a water basis. They are applied to surfaces that are pressed together for a time sufficient to evaporate the substrate. After that, the adhesive layer hardens, forming a connecting seam. A typical example is PVA glue, they can be glued at home not only linoleum, but also wood.

Contact

Bonding takes place in two stages:

• glued surfaces are lubricated with a thin layer that dissolves the surface layer of plastic, softening it and facilitating contact with another surface;
• after a few minutes, the parts are pressed against each other with force, the softened layers are mixed, the solvent evaporates and a seam is formed.

This is how Moment, BF-2 and others work. They can glue polystyrene and other plastics at home. They include toxic substances, so you need to work in a well-ventilated area and prevent droplets from getting on the skin or mucous membranes.

Reactionary

One-component reactive agents dissolve the material to be bonded very quickly and harden just as quickly. These are such famous brands as Second, Superglue and their analogues. The seam is durable and tough.

Two-component consist, respectively, of two components stored separately from each other:

• hardener;
• fixer.

The components are mixed immediately before use and applied to the surface, where the mixture hardens to form a compound. The base is epoxy or polyester resins. The seam at home is very durable. A characteristic feature is that complete solidification takes a long time, and the seam gradually increases both strength and brittleness.

Hot melt adhesives

This group includes substances that exhibit their properties when heated to 110-120 ° C. For use, you need a special glue gun with a heating element. Differs in accuracy of drawing. In addition to plastic, they can glue wood, fabric, paper at home.

How to glue plastic tightly at home

After the type of plastic has been determined and the appropriate substance selected, it follows:

• degrease bonded surfaces thoroughly. To do this, use alcohol, a degreaser or a soap solution (only laundry soap);
• to reliably glue objects, it is necessary to increase wettability. To do this, treat the surface with a velvet file or a thin sandpaper;
• mix two-component reactive substances only upon completion of the preparation of parts;
• do not use brushes with natural bristles;
• apply adhesive so much that when pressing the blanks, the excess does not squeeze out of the bonding zone.

Details should be pressed so as to exclude their displacement in the gluing plane relative to each other.

How to achieve maximum effect when bonding plastic parts

To gluing plastics at home for maximum effect, you should:

• pinpoint the material and choose the right adhesive for it;
• carefully follow the requirements of the instructions for use;
• wait for the set time to set with a seam of strength and not try to use the product ahead of time;
• for outdoor work or for objects used in high humidity conditions, you need to choose a waterproof brand;
• despite the declared heat resistance of the adhesive, the parts themselves may not survive this temperature;
• if there is no marking on the product, then you can try to drip a drop of adhesive in an inconspicuous place and see if the material dissolves.

Epoxy adhesive gives one of the most durable compounds and is compatible with many types of plastics.

What affects the bonding reliability

A number of conditions affect the reliability of a seam. All of them are important, and non-compliance with any one may lead to the fact that glued at home will fall off, despite observing all the others. So:

1. Correspondence of product material and adhesive composition.
2. Correspondence of the type of adhesive composition to the amount of effort that the joint will experience. No less important is the direction of these efforts. So, the compounds that give hard seams are not suitable for repair, for example, shoes - after all, the sole will bend and twist during operation, despite the fact that the tensile force will be small. At the same time, this compound can be successfully glued, say, a hook to the glass, and hang tens of kilograms on it.
3. Compliance with application technology. Everything is important here - and how many seconds or minutes it is necessary to compress the surfaces, and how to degrease them, and how much to keep the parts pressed together. All this depends on the properties of a particular pair of "plastic-glue", described in detail in the instructions and should be carried out verbatim. Deviation for a second in the exposure time or premature use of the product can lead to secondary damage.
4. The mechanical part of the process. It is important to thoroughly clean the surface from dust and roughen it. In addition, the direction of the clamp parts against each other should be perpendicular to the bonded surfaces. Mutual displacement of parts after pressing should not be allowed - this will also lead to failure.

Gluing plastic tightly is not so simple. Carefully following the simple rules of the home master will allow you to get strong and durable connections. The main thing is not to forget about safety precautions: do not inhale the vapors of the adhesive and do not allow it to get into food, on the skin or mucous membranes. If accidentally swallowed, immediately consult a doctor, be sure to bring a tube with you.