Cementing
Cementing
Can you recommend solvents to be used to bond acrylic to other materials?
Solvents such as methylene chloride, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, cellusolve and methyl ethyl ketone can be used to bond acrylic-based polymers to equivalent or similar materials. Cyclohexanone is a useful solvent for bonding flexible PVC tubing to acrylic-based polymers. Follow proper industrial hygiene when working with hazardous substance and consult the MSDS.
A key consideration in solvent bonding is the solvent drying rate. With methylene chloride based solvents, glacial acetic acid (1%) or diacetone alcohol (10%) can be added to retard the solvent drying rate and reduce the effects of moisture during bonding. Moisture is most often an issue when the solvent is not sealed in an airtight container. Moisture absorbed by the solvent can reduce its effectiveness during bonding. Solvent containers should be sealed properly to minimize moisture absorption from the environment.