Bonding PLA parts together ?

[Elysio]

Hello

Found here a post where someone asked what he should take to bond / stick PAL parts together.
I have the same question.
The answer were Super glue, but I`m sure this can not be the only one ?
Are there more glues which are working with PLA.
Best would be if it would solubilize the surface of the PLA . Adhession- > chemical reaction.
I need a vers strong connection of 2 parts.
What are xour experiences ?

Thank you in advance.

[Jimustanguitar]

CA glue is about as strong as it gets.

The only reason that people say to use other glues on other materials (that I'm familiar with, anyway) is because acetone is a solvent for ABS and you can literally weld two parts together with it.

[Elysio]

Hi

Thank you.

But is it permanent strong ?
I stick some parts together for a long time ago with CA glue , after some years the glue seems to be loose its tightness .
Really ins`t there any other glue, this would be unbelivable if not ?!

[RAMTechRob]

I use Loctite 454 Gel. It has been lasting forever for me. If you use cheap CA glue from a hardware store, you are taking a chance.

[McSlappy]

I believe you can use MEK to bond PLA in the same way you can use Acetone to bond ABS.

[Jimustanguitar]

I believe you can use MEK to bond PLA in the same way you can use Acetone to bond ABS.

That's some nasty stuff (like acetone). Handle with care.

[RichardMac]

I have had good results with a solvent adhesive that contains Methylene Chloride, I purchased it from a model shop ( not a hobby shop, one for people that make arctecural models). It is commonly used for acrylic display cases. Works almost the same way as ABS with acetone. Only diffrence is it evaporates very quickly. Hold the two pieces together and apply with paint brush or syringe allowing the solvent to flow between the pieces via capillary action. In. Seconds the pieces will be fused together.

[Jimustanguitar]

I have had good results with a solvent adhesive that contains Methylene Chloride, I purchased it from a model shop ( not a hobby shop, one for people that make arctecural models). It is commonly used for acrylic display cases. Works almost the same way as ABS with acetone. Only diffrence is it evaporates very quickly. Hold the two pieces together and apply with paint brush or syringe allowing the solvent to flow between the pieces via capillary action. In. Seconds the pieces will be fused together.

WeldOn?

[geneb]

I would bet yes.

g.

[RichardMac]

Nope not weld-on. Have never used it .
This is the item I used.

http://www.modelbuilderssupply.com/prod ... C698Se9KSM

I also have this item on order to test it out.


http://plasticworld.ca/store/index.php? ... cts_id=148

[Elysio]

I believe you can use MEK to bond PLA in the same way you can use Acetone to bond ABS.

That's some nasty stuff (like acetone). Handle with care.

Okay here my experiences.

Dichlormethan
or
Methanchloride

Works perfect. I solubilize the PLA as much as it becomes liquid as honey, put this on the parts which you want to stick together, after one day or some more hours this parts are welded together like hell !
The part will break apart on a different place when you will make fracture test.
But you have to be very carefull with this liquid, its quite toxic.
Use it only with Butylen gloves and with a respirator and a active carbon gas filter of the protection category ABEK1R or 73ABEK or better (depends on the supplier)

But be aware that the volume while you solubilize the PLA increases massivly and afterwards it decreases massivly, whick means you can not fill hughe gaps with it because it will distort you parts.

[teoman]

Good info!

Thanks.

[mhackney]

I use medium CA on my fly fishing reels and it also does not break at the bond. It is a lot safer/less toxic to deal with also and cures in 10 minutes as opposed to over night. No issues with part distortion either.

[ccavanaugh]

I watched a video yesterday where Berry Werner (Berry Bot) was recommending use of Loctite 1812319 CA as working extremely well for PLA.

I've just stated experimenting with PLA and CA's to glue some small printed gliders together for my 5 year old and the joints hold when he steps on them...

[stonewater]

I watched a video yesterday where Berry Werner (Berry Bot) was recommending use of Loctite 1812319 CA as working extremely well for PLA.

I've just stated experimenting with PLA and CA's to glue some small printed gliders together for my 5 year old and the joints hold when he steps on them...

What gliders are you printing? seen a few on thingiverse but was wondering if you have any recommendations?

Tom C

[ccavanaugh]

I watched a video yesterday where Berry Werner (Berry Bot) was recommending use of Loctite 1812319 CA as working extremely well for PLA.

I've just stated experimenting with PLA and CA's to glue some small printed gliders together for my 5 year old and the joints hold when he steps on them...

What gliders are you printing? seen a few on thingiverse but was wondering if you have any recommendations?

Tom C

http://threedsy.com/ My son can fly them without issue given just a rubber band. I've not printed the launcher tool to limit his distance. A good launch will cover 300' without issue.

[Xenocrates]

Flex-i-file (contains methylene chloride) plast-i-weld, is a fairly available, rather universal plastic solvent. I actually have a bottle of it on my desk that I'd forgotten about. It's fairly easy to work with, especially with a capillary applicator (think a needle with an open back), and seems mostly harmless. It does cure hella fast. Or you can brush it onto one surface, and then you want to apply it while it still looks wet, this may take two applications. Or brush it over a partially bonded joint to make a full surface cure.

[nitewatchman]

I found that the CAA Debonder I use works VERY well for bonding PLA. I noticed when it was applied to PLA to disassemble a glued joint that it softened and melted the surface similar to the effect of Acetone on ABS.

Tried it to fused two pieces and it worked just like acetone fusing ABS. Press parts together, put a drop on the joint and parts are fused.

[Eaglezsoar]

I found that the CAA Debonder I use works VERY well for bonding PLA. I noticed when it was applied to PLA to disassemble a glued joint that it softened and melted the surface similar to the effect of Acetone on ABS.

Tried it to fused two pieces and it worked just like acetone fusing ABS. Press parts together, put a drop on the joint and parts are fused.

I like that idea and I had no idea that debonder would work like that. I will have to pick some up from Amazon and I thank you for the tip.

[626Pilot]

I have heard of some people using rubber cement vapor to "smooth" PLA, much like you could smooth an ABS print with acetone vapor. It requires heat. If rubber cement vapor can melt PLA, one would think it'd work alright to weld two pieces together.

As for myself, I'd rather use screws, or SuperGlue, because rubber cement vapor is nasty as hell. How long does the part have to last? If it's going to be out in the sun, or left in an unshaded car, I'd use ABS instead, and glue it up with ABS cement. PLA is strong, but heat is a major weakness.