On 6/3/2016 2:42 PM, wrote:
On Saturday, 6 May 1995 08:00:00 UTC+1, Stuart Friedberg wrote:
Here's a prospective answer (not question) for the FAQ.

I am crossposting this because the question comes up with some
regularity in several different groups. Indeed, I have been one
to ask the question in the past (and get a useful answer), so I'm
trying to repay the net somewhat. I have no financial interest in
the products mentioned.

Q: How can you glue polyethylene or polyproplyene?

A: PE and PP are hard to glue because they have "low surface energy".
Very crudely, they have little interest in sticking to anything
else, including adhesives. One technique that works is to apply
a chemical "surface activator" then use cyanoacrylate adhesives
("superglues"). Until recently, surface activators were not
marketed for retail, although anyone could buy small quantities
from a Permatex distributor like a bearing or power transmission
industrial supply house, or from similar sources.

Recently, the Locktite brand has started retail marketing of a
product called "Plastix" that is a kit of surface activator and
compatible cyanoacrylate adhesive. The literature for Plastix
indicates it is suitable "even for" PE and PP.

After many hours of googling until my eyes fell out, following up false leads, companies that have closed, I have gone with 3M, whom I trust as a manufacturer. The supplier doesn't seem particularly organised, so let's see: I've ordered 3M Scotch-Weld„¢ High Performance Industrial Plastic Adhesive 4693H
from: http://www.repairproducts.co.uk/page59.htm

Another product looked promising, but I can't get it in the UK:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-9yhanz5DE

The 3M product is criminally expensive - £20 for 100 grammes. Hope it works!


WOW you responded to a post that is over 21 years old!