Structural adhesive for fixing polypropylene and polythylene - found.

RichardS

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Over the years I've tried to glue PP and PE but always unsuccessful. Epoxies etc just don't work.

I know that people with PP or PE water tanks etc have a similar problem and hot glue guns are often the only thing that will work but there are dangers with applying hot guns or similar and access has to be very good. Anyway, I've had a split screenwash bottle, several litres in size, which has been badly split for years even though I've tried to fix it many times. The split had opened over the years and was a couple of mm wide so I need an adhesive/filler and that is not easy with PP.

Anyway, I finally found this stuff.

IMG_7212.JPG


It is a structural adhesive so can be used for gluing and gap-filling. It has filler particles in it so it has a fair degree of body. It's expensive - I paid £18 for the small container, and it's not easy to use as 2 or 3 minutes after mixing with the catalyst it turns into a stringy mess of plastic.

However, it really works and bonds chemically with the PP or PE so no special prep is required and no abrasion or roughening. Just a wipe with meths to remove grease.

A new washer bottle would have been over £100 but now it seals like new so I'm well pleased.

Anyway, for PE or PP the answer is out there. :)

Richard
 
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Any idea how long it will last once opened? I need to glue two plastic pieces together, but I suspect i don't need more than a gram or two of glue - is the remainder likely to go off in a matter of days, or might it last a few months?
 
Thanks for that. I have an old HDPE canoe that leaks. Tried the hot glue gun fix in the past without much success. I’ll give this stuff a go.

In case you didn't know there are people who specialise in fixing roll molded plastic canoes and dinghies. I watched someone in France mending hire canoes using specialist hot air tools. They can do a remarkable job.
 
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