Plaskolite, an acrylic sheet maker, bonds acrylic to itself with cement, such as solvent cement that softens the plastic so the pieces fuse. Few household glues name acrylic, and some rule it out.
Gluing
Acrylic or plexiglass
clear acrylic sheet
clear acrylic sheet
Where
What holds
3 products have both surfaces on their makers’ lists.
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Solvent cement, the sheet makers’ way
Plaskolite, which makes OPTIX acrylic sheet, describes three kinds of cement: water-thin solvents that soften the acrylic, solvents thickened to fill small gaps, and polymerizable cements, a monomer mixed with a catalyst, for strong, long-lasting joints. One method it describes is capillary cementing: fit the pieces, then run the cement along the joint with a syringe or eyedropper and let it flow in.
- Fit: Plaskolite wants a square, flush fit, and says not to polish the edges before cementing.
- Times: it starts to bond in 5 to 10 seconds; Plaskolite gives it 3 hours before more work and 24 to 48 hours for full strength.
- Crazing: Plaskolite strongly recommends annealing the sheet before bonding, because the sheet can craze, especially around chemicals such as cement.
Weld-On 4, an acrylic cement made by IPS, says on its data sheet (dated 11/24) that it’s for industrial and professional use only, not for consumer use. That sheet lists methylene chloride, which it calls a cancer causing material, and the label text on that sheet reads: flammable, vapor harmful. Plaskolite says to cement only in a well-ventilated area and to protect your skin.
Household glues
Loctite Super Glue Gel Control is the glue whose data sheet names acrylic, and Loctite’s page for its Epoxy Plastic names it too. Loctite recommends the activator in its Plastics Bonding System for PMMA, the chemical name for acrylic.
| Product | What its maker says |
|---|---|
| E6000 Plus | Not recommended for acrylic (its FAQ does list Plexiglass, so we go by the exclusion) |
| Loctite Power Grab Ultimate | Not for acrylic glass |
| Loctite Clear Silicone | Not for polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) |
| DAP 100% Silicone and Silicone Max | Methylmethacrylate doesn’t allow for best adhesion |
What cracks acrylic
Plaskolite warns that thread locker and countersunk screws can crack and craze its sheet, and that soft PVC washers and solvent-based silicone shouldn’t touch it. It suggests EPDM or neoprene washers, and neutral cure silicone only.
Acrylic to something else?
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