Which Solvent works best with ABS+PC plastic?

[Fearghus]

thread712-150103

I am wondering which solvent is best for use with plastic that is a mix of ABS and PC. I understand that acetone is a wonderful ABS solvent used often in 3D printing and plumbing but the only information I can get regarding acetone and PC is that it swells PC plastics, causing damage but not melting them. Which solvent would work best for use on both ABS and PC, and am I misinformed regarding the effects of acetone on PC?

 

[IRstuff]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solvent_bonding

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[btrueblood]

You really can't, or shouldn't, solvent bond polycarbonate. Solvents that soften PC will cause crazing/cracking and the resulting joints will be weaker than if adhesively bonded (using, e.g. epoxy).

 

[Fearghus]

Would your statment change for ABS + PC, or is it still so bad to solvent bond the PC molecules that it would be a net negative to bond it? To clarify my early post the plastic is a mix of ABS and PC, I am not trying to solvent bond the two different kinds of plastic, they were mixed together in the original mold.

 

[btrueblood]

Statement still holds to some extent. It will ultimately depend on what loads the bond is subject to, and what residual stresses were left in the plastic as a result of its original processing. I.e. suck it and see.

 

[Fearghus]

If I am to test it out, what solvent would work best for both ABS and PC in order to fuse parts together? Of course PC should will take damage from stressors but unless there's another way to fuse the parts back together I'd like to know, even if only out of curiosity, which solvent would work best for both kinds of plastic simultaneously.

 

[berkshire]

One solvent that has mostly been replaced by acetone is Methylene chloride (dichloromethane) It has the advantage of having a higher flash off rate than acetone.
It is the preferred solvent for PC producing less crazing. However because it is a clorinated solvent some authorities tend to take a dim view of its use.
A syrup of your plastic mixed with this solvent should enable you to join the pipes you have.
B.E.

You are judged not by what you know, but by what you can do.

 

[Fearghus]

May I ask what is wrong with chlorinated solvent?

 

[berkshire]

Fearghus
Here is what some authorities say about the use of chlorinated solvents. they are acceptable for occasional use , but have bad effects long term.
Long-term side effects may include chronic skin problems, and/or damage to the nervous system, kidneys, or liver. Some chlorinated solvents are also known to cause cancer, in both humans and animals. Urine and blood tests can help determine if you have been exposed to chlorinated solvents.

http://worker-health.org/chlorinatedsolvents.html

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[IRstuff]

There's still MEK, which smells soooo goood... ;-)

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[TugboatEng]

The answer to this question depends highly on geography as many of the "best" solvents can't be purchased depending on where we live.