How and how to glue plexiglass (plexiglass), which glue is better

Plexiglas is considered one of the most popular transparent materials, which is used for various purposes. It can be used to make products of various shapes. You can see it in any office or retail space: information holders, stands, boxes, etc. However, this material can break. And home craftsmen need complete information on how to handle it. To fix it, you need to know how to glue plexiglass. There are several adhesive mixtures that differ in characteristics, performance, and features of working with them.

Composition of plexiglass, what is it

PLEXIGLAS® GS is produced by casting, and PLEXIGLAS® XT by extrusion. The simple name is plexiglass (plexiglass). There is no difference in machining of both types. Plexiglas is a synthetic material. It is made from acrylic resins to which additional components are added.

The result is a material with high levels of strength, reliability, and translucency. To change the characteristics and appearance of the finished sheets, during manufacturing the mixture is saturated with stabilizers, dyes, and plasticizers.

Ready-made material is used in the following areas:

• Manufacturing of lamps.
• Creation of interior partitions, domes, pedestals, decorative elements for interior decoration.
• It is used to glue the walls of shower stalls, swimming pools, and bathtubs.
• Creation of shop windows, aquariums, advertising stands, signs, banners.

Shelves, stands for consumer electronics, and transparent tables are often glued together from plexiglass. To understand how good a material it is for use, you need to understand its strengths and weaknesses.

Advantages:

• High strength index. In this parameter, plexiglass is superior to ordinary glass.
• Low specific gravity. Thanks to this, there are no problems with installing bulky panels.
• Does not collapse under the influence of sunlight, moisture, or detergents.
• High transparency rate.

Flaws:

• Low wear resistance. The surface is easily scratched and damaged by sharp, rough objects.
• Does not withstand prolonged exposure to open flame.
• In order for a product made of this material to retain its original appearance over a long period of time, it is necessary to regularly wipe it with a cloth moistened with a cleaning solution.

When a product breaks, you need to know how to glue the plexiglass together in order to restore the integrity of the item, and then use it further.

Fighting scratches on plexiglass

How to cut plexiglass at home

Even deep scratches on polycarbonate can be repaired. This will help:

• Two types of sandpaper: 800 and 1500 grit.
• Polish, GOI paste is excellent.
• Natural polishing material.

We clean a sheet of polymer plastic that has been previously washed with a mild detergent and moistened with water using 800-grit sandpaper; this will help get rid of large scratches. Then we sand it using 1500 paper. Now the sheet is prepared for polishing. Scratches may be minor and you may need to resort to sandpaper, in which case there is no need, polishing alone will be enough. We hope we were able to answer the question: “How to clean plexiglass?”

What kind of glue is there for plexiglass?

Glue for plexiglass is selected depending on the wishes of the consumer.

new one-component Wiko Plexy adhesive for plexiglass (plexiglass)

There are two types of glue used for repairing and restoring the integrity of products:

1. An adhesive mixture of acrylic with a solvent is used for extruded (cast) acrylic (aka plexiglass, plexiglass). Glue for professional work. When two identical components are combined, under the influence of the third active substance, a strong connection of the bases occurs due to the dissolution of the surface molecular layer of plexiglass. The gluing is monolithic. There are some nuances. Although this group is intended directly for gluing plexiglass (plexiglass), not all adhesives in this group will be able to connect any types of these materials. This is very important, there are exceptions, so you need to be careful when selecting the composition for certain brands of PLEXIGLAS®, which is the generic name of the brand.
2. Two-component adhesive based on epoxy resin or cyanoacrylate. With their help you can quickly glue individual parts together. Suitable in some cases, and can be used for small work areas.

Strong seams can be made using caustic acids.

Household adhesives for joining plexiglass are divided into two groups according to the principle of action:

1. The first include active substances that are applied to the joints before gluing. Surfaces melt. The master glues them together while the material is liquid. After drying, a monolithic seam is formed.
2. Compositions that form a connecting layer between individual parts. A less durable seam is formed than when the surfaces being joined are melted.

In order not to make a mistake when choosing, you need to consider the most popular products for gluing plexiglass.

new two-component adhesive Wiko Dual Glue for plexiglass (plexiglass)

Acrifix 116 glue

Glue for plexiglass manufactured by Acrilfix, which produces high-quality substances used when joining various materials. Product 116 is a clear, thick mixture (more viscous than Acrifix 117) that has the consistency of a pourable resin. Packaged in tubes of 100 ml.

Used for gluing rough parts that have uneven edges. Effectively fills voids formed by chips and creates a uniform surface. One-component adhesive. Hardens due to the evaporation and absorption of solvents by the parts being joined.

Acrifix 117

If a person does not know how to glue plexiglass, any experienced craftsman will tell him Acrilfix 117 glue. This mixture is considered the best for gluing acrylic-based materials. He has a number of strengths and weaknesses.

Advantages:

• High strength of the finished seam.
• Dries quickly.
• Lowest level of toxicity compared to analogues.
• Long shelf life.
• Penetrates small cracks and fills them to the base.
• The transparent seam is practically invisible on the total area of ​​the glued surface.

Flaws:

• Very high price.
• Rarely found on the shelves of construction stores.
• It is impossible to buy a small container. The standard packaging size is 1 liter.

Experienced craftsmen recommend mixing Acrylfix 117 with 116 (10/1) to reduce the consumption of expensive glue. In addition, the mixture better fills the voids of microcracks. The quality of the seams does not deteriorate.

Glue Colacryl 20

When gluing plexiglass, craftsmen often use Colacril products. It costs less than Acrylfix, however, its properties are close to expensive mixtures. Item 20 is a flowable adhesive that can be used to create clear, strong, durable seams. Similar in action to the previous brand, but cheaper.

Colacryl 30

It differs from name 20 in consistency. It is thicker, so 30 is mixed with 20 to get the adhesive of the desired thickness. The disadvantage of adhesives from this company is that they crack at the bend. This violates the integrity of the connection and worsens the appearance.

Although this may not be considered a disadvantage, microcracks can appear after any glue if the technology is not followed.

BRAUBERG glue

This transparent adhesive is universal for a large number of different materials that differ in their structure. Sold in a package called a show box. Glues and joins products made of wood, metal, PVC of any hardness, polystyrene, porcelain, ceramics, plexiglass, glass. Also glues rubber, felt and leather objects.

Advantages:

• Versatility.
• Water resistance.
• Elasticity of the taped seam.
• Bonds porous materials.
• Glues plexiglass and plain glass.
• Symbolic price.

Bonding with epoxy glue

This is the most accessible method, if we talk specifically about gluing and not welding. Before gluing polyethylene, you need to prepare the surfaces.

Epoxy glue packaging

Epoxy glue is not a glue for gluing polyethylene, but, nevertheless, phenol-formaldehyde resin has very decent adhesion to the surface of polyethylene. In this case, you need to act like this:

Roughen the surfaces with emery cloth, then degrease and dry. Treat both surfaces with a 15-25% solution of chromic anhydride or 20-30% potassium dichromate

(Caution, caustic substances and dangerous carcinogens!) You can take another strong oxidizing agent: a strong solution of potassium permanganate. It is not much less effective, but is much safer

After treatment, dry the surfaces again. Prepare epoxy glue according to instructions. Apply a thin layer of glue to both surfaces and join. Maintain at a temperature of +30...+45°C for several hours, but it is better to keep for a day until ready.

Adhesive self-adhesive films

When the question arises of how to glue plexiglass tightly, the master can use good glue, also a homemade adhesive composition, or use self-adhesive film. The main advantage of such a connecting device is the ability to glue identical and different materials. You can find three types of films on the market:

1. Material without base. It is a film less than 1 mm thick. Before gluing the working surfaces, the protective sheets used during transportation are removed. Suitable for joining perfectly smooth surfaces.
2. Films with a thin base. The base reaches several hundredths of mm. It is transparent and does not stand out visually after connection. The requirements for a flat surface are somewhat lower than those of the previous material.
3. Film with a foam base. It is a thin double-sided tape that is sold in large rolls. This film can be used to glue any surface, but the bond strength is low due to the foam base.

Each type of film indicates the load it can withstand, service life under normal conditions, and dimensions.

How to glue plexiglass at home

When it is not possible to buy a specialized compound, but you need to glue plexiglass at home, you can use improvised means. When working with homemade compounds, you need to know the safety rules so as not to harm yourself and maintain the integrity of the material.

General technology and principles of gluing at home

In order to glue parts together efficiently and discreetly at home, you need to adhere to the following operating rules:

1. The sponge is soaked in gasoline to degrease the surface.
2. Glue is applied to both parts; for convenience, it is better to use a regular syringe. First you need to grind off the tip using a whetstone, the angle is made at 90 degrees, this stage will help to avoid splashing of the substance towards the bevel of the needle. Then fill the syringe with the solution. The glue is carefully squeezed out of the syringe into the joining part of the parts securely connected to each other.
3. Next, you need to press them tightly together and keep it that way until the setting process begins. In this case, the time varies from a couple of minutes to half an hour depending on the composition used. It is important that the product dries without spreading on the surface when the product is turned over.

To prevent the solution from getting onto other areas, masking tape is first glued to them.

Glue is applied to both parts; for convenience, it is better to use a regular syringe.

How does dichloroethane (DCE) glue?

It is an effective substance if there is no target adhesive to work with. It can be purchased where components for radio electronics are sold. Dichloroethane dissolves the glued material quite quickly, but also evaporates quickly.

There are two methods for applying dichloroethane:

1. If the surfaces are smooth, the substance is taken with a medical syringe from a vial of EDC and poured along the contour of the connection so that it reaches the entire depth. The result is a transparent seam without bubbles.
2. When surfaces have uneven surfaces, the gluing technique changes. A small amount of sawdust or plexiglass powder is added to a container with dichloroethane. 5 grams of powder per 100 grams of liquid is enough. After a short period of time, EDC becomes a thick mass. Using a metal wire, apply the mixture to the surfaces to be glued.

When working with dichloroethane, it is necessary to take into account that it is a toxic, poisonous substance.

The gluing procedure must be carried out using high-quality ventilation, with safety glasses and gloves. Keep away from children, do not work near open flame sources. Any person without additional skills can glue two pieces of plexiglass together with dichloroethane.

How to choose glue for glass

Glass has low adhesion ability. Therefore, joining such surfaces is difficult. The fragility of the material further complicates the task. To glue glass objects, you need a special substance that has certain qualities:

1. High adhesion for connecting objects that experience significant mechanical stress in everyday life.
2. Transparency so that the resulting joint becomes invisible. When connecting small parts, this quality is even more important than strength.
3. Ability to dry in a short time.
4. Increased thickness so that the final joint becomes elastic.
5. Ability to withstand significant temperatures, as well as frost and heat.
6. The ability to repel moisture when in a humid environment or when using products in atmospheric conditions.
7. Environmentally friendly and safe for nature.

It is optimal to choose transparent products for work. They can easily neatly connect small parts of the decor. It is also worth considering the physical parameters: transparent compounds are suitable for combining smooth objects, but if the surface is corrugated, a stronger formula will be required. When it is necessary to connect parts of an aquarium, choose a product that does not contain antibacterial components and will not harm the fish. Durable compounds are chosen to connect painted surfaces.

Polymer glue

Hardening of this composition is carried out by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In this case, gluing is possible only if at least one of the parts being connected allows light to pass through. To improve the process, the combined planes are exposed to a special lamp until the seam hardens. When gluing with this substance, a transparent joint is obtained that can withstand temperature changes, exposure to moisture and mechanical stress.

Important!

This substance is used to work with jewelry, shop windows and stained glass. The connection is very strong. The only drawback of the glue is the low hardening speed.

Silicate glue

The main ingredients of this substance are sealants and silicones. It is often used in construction. Thanks to the large number of shades, the connecting joint is made invisible or, on the contrary, its decorative effect is emphasized. This composition is often used in needlework. At the same time, for a high-quality connection, you need to apply a larger layer.

Cyanoacrylate glue

This composition is also called cold welding. It has excellent adhesion and high drying speed. The result is a strong and very durable seam. Cyanoacrylate glue is used to join painted objects or to glue glass to other surfaces: metal, wood or plastic. The disadvantage of glue is that it breaks down when exposed to water.

Household adhesives

This group of adhesives includes PVA, Moment, BF-2 or BF-4. In this case, the stronger the connection, the more the surfaces are compressed after applying the glue. It is difficult to connect objects with BF glue, since this product requires high temperature, and glass may not withstand it.

Important!

When using Moment glue, you must first soak the lubricated surfaces for about 20 minutes and only then connect. If you don’t have time to wait, use the “Super Moment” product.

Heat Resistant Glass Adhesive

I use a similar product if the parts, after joining, will be regularly exposed to high temperatures. Such connections can be in an oven, electric kettle or stove. To prevent destruction of the adhesive seam, special reinforcing additives are included in the composition.

Gluing plexiglass with vinegar

Not many novice craftsmen know how to glue plexiglass with vinegar essence. Ordinary table acetic acid is not capable of making a strong connection.

To do this you need to use a concentrate.

The liquid is applied to the edges of the parts to be glued. Next, the master squeezes them together. The result is a whole product. The top layer softens, unlike EDC, diffusion occurs slowly. The seam itself will be finally ready only in a day.

Disadvantages of using vinegar essence:

• Low connection strength.
• The seam quickly becomes unusable.
• Cracks appear at bends.

To glue plexiglass products for a short period of time, it is recommended to use vinegar essence with a strength of 30...70%. Do not add plexiglass shavings; the essence will not dissolve them, as it contains up to 30% water. By the way, the concentrate can be replaced with solvents, keep in mind that they can evaporate quickly.

Keep in mind that many cracks will occur near the stress area. This is how plexiglass behaves after treatment with concentrated acetic acid.

Types and their composition

Structures that include many parts cannot be assembled without the use of adhesives

It is important to ensure the strength of the seams of the glued elements, taking into account the strength of the material

When choosing such products, you need to pay attention to all the indicators, and also study the composition of the product to find something that will meet all the requirements

Physical bonding is achieved using products that are offered in the form of solutions. With the gradual evaporation of solvents, the adhesive mass will become solid, which indicates the connection of plexiglass parts.

As for chemical effects, this includes all two-component compositions. The components are mixed, after which they begin to act and quickly harden. To obtain the desired effect, it is necessary to take into account several factors - high temperature, combination of ingredients, introduction of catalysts or activating components, without which the reaction is impossible.

If you need to repair a plexiglass structure at home, the question immediately arises of which product to choose so that the result is of high quality and the seams are durable and resistant to possible damage. Previously, dichloroethane, which was applied to the surface of the material and dissolved it, was in great demand. When dry, the parts turned into a solid structure, and the seam was barely noticeable, and if necessary, it could be removed and the surface polished.

It is worth noting that dichloroethane-based products are highly toxic and volatile, but are considered one of the best for working with plexiglass. Today, the market offers mixtures with innovative components that are safe, so they can be safely used even at home.

For simple connection of plexiglass parts, ordinary Moment glue is suitable. Its main advantage is that it works quickly and can connect surfaces of a wide variety of materials. Of course, you need to work with this product carefully, accurately gluing the elements, because it will no longer be possible to separate them, since the integrity will be broken.

If adjustments are required, you can choose waterproof adhesive brand “88”, which has increased strength. Liquid nails are considered a universal remedy that is suitable for home repairs. The only drawback is that the seam will not be transparent, so this factor must be taken into account in advance.

Dichloroethane is often used to make adhesive compositions at home. The components should include not only this chemical, but also plexiglass shavings, which are mixed until medium thick. After a couple of days, the shavings dissolve and the mass can be used to glue parts together. Such a dichloroethane composition is capable of tightly uniting plexiglass elements by fusion of molecules with each other. As a result, the seam will be strong, uniform and transparent.

UV glue contains methacrylate, the hardener is ultraviolet light, which is emitted by a special flashlight. This substance can be used for gluing not only plexiglass, but also metal, wood, plastic and much more.

A second glue moment and Cosmofen can glue plexiglass

There are two well-known adhesives that can be purchased at any hardware or hardware store. Both names are similar in their effect, since the composition includes cyanoacrylate. They have a number of strengths, and of course weaknesses. Use in extreme cases.

Advantages:

• Low cost.
• Availability.
• Ease of use.

Flaws:

• Low strength index.
• The seams turn white after drying, which detracts from the appearance of the transparent product.

It is recommended to use these names of adhesives when gluing plexiglass products that will not be subject to loads.

Make your own glue for plexiglass

This process was described a little above. So, in order to repair sheet materials, you can make an adhesive composition with your own hands. If a novice craftsman does not know what glue to use to glue plexiglass, this option is considered one of the best.

To make a homemade product, you need to prepare the following supplies:

1. Plexiglas sawdust.
2. Dichloroethane.
3. Organic solvent.

Mix the solvent with dichloroethane in one container. While stirring the solution with a metal wire, sprinkle small amounts of plexiglass sawdust. Their quantity is set depending on the required consistency. You can do it by eye, nothing bad will happen.

Security measures

A high content of chemicals can become dangerous for people: firstly, opening the tube each time provokes a slight evaporation that can harm people with a vulnerable sense of smell - to minimize the risk you need to work in a ventilated area; secondly, contact of liquid with the skin can leave a burn or cause poisoning of the body - the solution is to wear gloves and a long-sleeve T-shirt before gluing the plexiglass.

Of course, not every person is susceptible to suffering from contact with glue, but not everyone knows in advance the limits of their body’s capabilities.

It is also recommended to protect your desktop by covering it with a tablecloth or film that you won’t mind throwing away. During free time from needlework, chemical compounds should be stored out of the reach of children and in a place protected from the sun. Products that have expired are prohibited from use.

How to glue plexiglass

For general understanding, the general principle of mechanical processing of plexiglass looks like this. For example, a jigsaw (hacksaw).

Algorithm:

1. The stroke function should be set to zero for slabs up to 4mm.
2. Medium feed (1st or 2nd stroke) for thicker slabs.
3. Saw at high cutting speed (rpm).
4. For a circular saw, the speed is 4200 rpm with a blade diameter of 320 mm.
5. Only non-offset (!) discs with teeth from 9 to 15 mm.
6. Full start-up before cutting begins.
7. A tight installation on a protective film (or an aqueous PVAL solution) is required and cannot be removed.
8. It is necessary to cool with water or compressed air. It is unacceptable (!) to cut a slab thicker than 3 mm without cooling.
9. Carbide saw (disc) or diamond coated.

Anyone can glue plexiglass together. You don't need any practical experience to do this. It is enough to perform a series of actions in a certain sequence.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Wear gloves to avoid leaving greasy marks on the gluing area. Treat the parts to be glued with a cloth soaked in gasoline or alcohol.
2. Fasten both parts of the product symmetrically and so that there is a small gap between them.
3. Prepare a medical syringe. The needle must be processed with a file to cut the bevel. Its absence will prevent splashing of the adhesive during operation.
4. Fill the syringe with glue. Apply an even layer over the gluing area.
5. Press the plexiglass pieces together. Leave them in the fixed position for 1 hour.

Masking tape is used to protect the edges of the parts. Gluing of individual elements should take place in a well-ventilated area. After all work, wash off the dirt with clean water or with the addition of a mild cleaning agent. Wipe dry only after all microparticles have been completely removed.

Eliminate dry scrubbing completely.

How to glue plexiglass to metal

Often home craftsmen do not know how to glue plexiglass to metal. To do this, you can use several adhesives:

1. Dichloroethane.
2. Glue 88.
3. Liquid Nails.

Sometimes compounds appear on the shelves of construction stores that indicate that they can be used to glue plexiglass to metal.

Plexiglas to wood

Again, not many people know how to glue plexiglass to wood. When choosing an adhesive to join two different materials, you need to understand that the wrong choice will lead to the formation of a visible seam.

The best adhesives include:

1. MAFIX.
2. Super glue.
3. Cosmofen.

It is advisable to try experimentally gluing unnecessary parts together to see the quality of the connection.

Plexiglas to glass

It is extremely difficult to glue plexiglass to glass. Most often, the compound gains fragility in its properties. Experts recommend using the following formulations:

1. COSMOPLAST 500.
2. COSMOFEN.
3. COSMOFEN PMMA.

These adhesives are very unstable to sudden temperature changes. It is problematic to glue surfaces that tend to heat up during use.

We come across vinegar more often in everyday life.

A food solution of 9 percent vinegar will not help here. You need vinegar essence. And she will not be able to completely dissolve plexiglass. Using 70 percent of the essence you can only slightly soften the surface of the glass. Usually this is enough for gluing two flat surfaces. In this case, the parts to be glued must be pressed against each other with force.

In this way, plexiglass can be glued using the “cold welding” method, when both surfaces being joined are subjected to dissolution, which creates a strong, uniform seam.

Without dissolving, you can glue plexiglass using a third component that connects the parts. In this case, the surface of the glass does not undergo softening; this method is less durable. Plexiglas is smooth and does not provide good adhesion even with the most adhesive substances.

Attention! The use of any adhesive for plexiglass requires full compliance with safety precautions. Usually these are toxic, flammable substances. A good option for gluing plexiglass can be special self-adhesive films. Their advantage is not only in convenience, but also in the fact that using this method you can glue not only two plexiglass parts, but also glue plexiglass to a surface made of another material.

If acid or glue is used, other surfaces may be damaged. They produce 3 types of adhesive films, slightly different in their operating principle. Baseless adhesive films are simply a layer of adhesive sandwiched between two transport layers that are removed when used. This material is suitable for gluing two perfectly flat surfaces, with a small expansion coefficient, that is, it is excellent for parts made of plexiglass.

They are followed by a film with a transparent, very thin base. Its presence slightly reduces the requirement for the smoothness of the bonded surfaces, but they still must be smooth. The connection turns out to be less strong; if desired, the elements can be separated in the future.

If you need to glue two uneven surfaces, a film on a thin foam base is suitable. It gives the lowest degree of gluing and if, as a result, the resulting seam must be subject to stress, it is better not to use it.

Adhesives are less easy to use, but do not make such demands on the surface. In fact, plexiglass refers to a fairly wide range of materials: you can mistake both polypropylene and polycarbonate for artificial glass. Such an error can lead to failure or even ruin the thing being glued. Therefore, it is important not only that the glue is suitable for plexiglass, but also to know from what context of material the transparent-looking part was made.

Bonding plexiglass is essentially no different from bonding plastic parts using a similar method: you need to use glue that dissolves the surfaces and forms a monolithic seam. In this case, even if the product is destroyed, most likely it will break not along the glue line.

One of the most used adhesives at the moment is Artfix. Transparent, less toxic than analogues, easy to use, it is great for gluing any plexiglass parts. The manufacturer allows you to select glue with the required degree of viscosity.

However, it comes in a fairly large volume. It is not rational to buy it for one-time work.

How to connect to metal

To create a strong seam between plexiglass and metal, products containing organic resins and solvents and synthetic rubbers are used. Produced adhesives can be universal (for any surface) or specialized.

In order not to make a mistake in your choice, it is necessary to study the conditions of use specified by the manufacturer.

The active components of adhesives can be toxic, which requires precautions when working with materials.

Glue grade 88

Glue 88 is a mixture of phenol-formaldehyde resins, rubber, and ethyl acetate. This universal product is used to join materials of different structures. Modifications used for gluing metal and plexiglass:

• 88 M;
• 88 NT;
• Luxury

General properties:

• viscosity;
• elasticity;
• strength;
• water resistance;
• frost resistance;
• prevents corrosion from developing.

Bonding methods: cold and hot. The essence of hot is to heat the surfaces after applying the composition to 80-90 degrees, after which they are pressed tightly against each other. The quality of the seam obtained using the hot method is higher than that obtained using the cold method.

See also

Composition and scope of application of casein glue, how to make it yourself

Dichloroethane

Chemically active substance. It is a colorless, rapidly evaporating liquid with a sweetish odor. The organic solvent acts on the metal, destroying the surface oxide film and plexiglass. As a result, a strong molecular compound is formed.

Liquid Nails

Liquid nails are used to connect dissimilar materials. Glue modifications: latex and neoprene. Neoprene liquid nails (chloroprene rubber and organic solvents) are a means for gluing metal and plexiglass.

The product is resistant to temperature changes, high humidity, and aggressive environments. The disadvantage of the neoprene product is the unpleasant odor. To use liquid nails, you need a special device - a gun, into which a metal tube with the product is inserted.

Moment for iron and plexiglass

From the Moment line of adhesives, a universal option is suitable for gluing metal and plexiglass: Moment-1. It grips surfaces quickly and firmly and is not afraid of water.