How to Glue Lexan
Take advantage of a methylene chloride solution to bond two pieces of Lexan polycarbonate together. Methylene chloride is a solvent that softens Lexan enough that it can attach directly to another piece of Lexan. The solvent dissolves, and the two pieces of Lexan become fused together.
The process is called plastics welding. Methylene chloride is the primary ingredient in a number of commercial plastics welding compounds available at most hardware stores.
Things You Will Need
- Sandpaper
- Methylene chloride solution
- Respirator
- Rubber gloves
- Clamps
Tip
Tighten the clamp only enough that the pieces of Lexan are pressed firmly together. Do not overtighten or you could damage the Lexan.
Warning
Methylene chloride is toxic and should not be inhaled. Wear a respirator and work away from open flames.
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Put on your respirator and rubber gloves. Open all windows in the room or relocate to an open-air location to prevent against the buildup of toxic fumes.
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Lightly sand the locations where you want to glue the pieces of Lexan together. The locations should be smooth to the touch.
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Apply the methylene chloride solution to the Lexan according to the instructions on the package. Most solvents designed for plastics welding come in containers with eye-droppers for purposes of application. The solvent is thin like water and takes some practice to use well, so consider experimenting on some scrap pieces first.
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Clamp the two pieces together and wait 24 hours for the bond to achieve its maximum strength.
The Drip Cap
- Take advantage of a methylene chloride solution to bond two pieces of Lexan polycarbonate together.
- The process is called plastics welding.
- Most solvents designed for plastics welding come in containers with eye-droppers for purposes of application.
References
Resources
Writer Bio
Andrew Tennyson has been writing about culture, technology, health and a variety of other subjects since 2003. He has been published in The Gazette, DTR and ZCom. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in history and a Master of Fine Arts in writing.
Photo Credits
- rimglow/iStock/Getty Images
- rimglow/iStock/Getty Images
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