1.1.11 Thermal Joint: Thermal Plastic Welding

Thermal welding merges thermoplastic parts with heat and pressure. Many plastics can be welded, such as acrylic or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PETE or PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS). Plastic welding may also repair cracks in damaged plastic pieces.

Requirements include hot air welding tools, plastic welding rods, extruders, heating and cooling time, and pressure. Most plastic welding processes require fixtures to hold the plastic components together to form a complete bond as the heat is added to the weld joint.

1.1.12 Chemical Joint: Solvent Welding

Solvent welding uses a solvent to dissolve the surfaces of two chemically similar plastic parts. When the two parts are pressed together and the solvent evaporates, the surfaces are permanently fused. Solvent welding is used for plastics like PVC and ABS, which may be dissolved by solvents. The solvent must be chosen for the specific plastic being welded. Plastics that are not vulnerable to solvents, such as PP and PE, cannot be solvent welded. Manufacturers with concerns about solvents may avoid using this technique.

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