Plastic seems to be everywhere in our lives and are a major pollutant. If it’s possible to fix plastic items, instead of throwing them away, it could help that problem. To do that, you are going to need the best super glue for plastics.
I think we can all agree, while we should avoid buying new plastic items as much as humanly possible, fixing, upcycling, and reusing plastics is a better option than trashing them.
We’re all familiar with super glue by now (also written superglue), but let’s take a short look at the history of this awesome product, then go on to the info you need.
The History of Super Glue
Super Glue glue was invented — by accident — by Harry Coover when they were looking for a new transparent plastic material suitable for the rifle sights for the company Eastman Kodak, in the 2nd War in 1942.
They discovered that cyanoacrylate (superglue) was an extremely sticky material that adhered to everything. Like many great inventions, it was rejected at first since it did not meet the requirements for the intended use.
Years later, Coover and Fred Joyner discovered the commercial potential of Super Glue, which was released in 1958. The advantage over the original was that it needed neither pressure nor heat.
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The Best Glue for Plastic Reviews
Not all super glues are great for plastics, some won’t work at all. We’ve found the best super glues for plastic, so that you can get your fix on with confidence.
1. Loctite Super Glue Plastics Bonding System
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No mixing required this two-part glue system works to bond tough to glue plastics in seconds. Simply apply the adhesive, brush on the activator, and give it a few seconds.
Use it to re-laminate ski bottoms, fix plastics, and Delrin. It can be used on other things as well, as noted on the bottle. This is perfect for crafters, LARPers, skiers, and hobbyists.
2. Gorilla Super Glue, 25 g, Clear
Gorilla Super Glue dries in 10-30 seconds, and best of all is a gel so you can use it on vertical surfaces. The bottle is designed to keep the glue from drying out, also, so it’s perfect for people that use it often.
This glue may not be the best for repairing shoe soles but adheres to most plastics.
3. Super Glue Plastic Fusion Epoxy Adhesive
This epoxy-style super glue comes with two tubes that dispense equal amounts of resin and hardener at the same time so you get the right mix, every time.
It’s 4,000 lbs per square inch holding power means you can choose it for weight-bearing jobs.
Perfect for people who need to know that the bond will last, and who have a little more time to wait. You’ll need about 8 minutes to set the glue, and 30 minutes before that glue is set well enough to handle your object.
4. Loctite Extra Time Control Super Glue 4-Gram
This glue gives you more time, and less odor, while adhering most plastics. If you need a glue that will dry completely clear, this one will work for you.
You have a few seconds before this glue dries, allowing you to get perfect alignment, then it holds strong.
5. Krazy Glue Maximum Bond Industrial Formula
Krazy glue’s industrial strength is just what you are looking for. It’s precision tip and stay-fresh formula keep the glue good for longer.
Bonds plastics, among many other things, and is perfect for home, office, and hobby uses.
6. Starbond EM-2000
Starbond comes with a large opening in the tip, but also with micro tips to use with the bottle for precision work. Effective with most plastics, Starbond does the job and does it well.
Great for filling voids, and repairing most plastics, this product also comes with a 30-month guarantee as long as you store the bottle below 40 degrees.
How to Prepare and Glue Plastic
- The first thing is to clean the surface , so that the glue can adhere perfectly.
- You can use a product like soap or alcohol. Above all it is important that there is no fat left on your fingers or food.
- Make sure the plastic is completely dry, and do not stain it again with your hands or fingers. Be careful!
- The plastic usually has a polished finish, and it is difficult for the glue to stick firmly. The ideal is to sand with sandpaper between 120 to 200, or with something stronger such as steel wool. But be careful and do not pass! You can lift the surface of the plastic and damage the piece.
- If you use an epoxy-type plastic adhesive, you have to mix both components before applying the glue.
- Apply the glue on both surfaces , spreading everything very well.
- Fix the pieces gently. If you apply too much force, what you will get is that everything comes out. If so, clean the remaining glue before it dries.
- Use adhesive tape to stay firm for a few hours. There are glues that require up to a whole day. Look at the manufacturer’s instructions.
Learn how to stick hard plastic
Hard plastic is ABS plastic, a type of plastic that comes from oil, is very rigid, and common in computers, cars, appliances or televisions.
In that case, it is best to use epoxy type glue. This glue is also called two-component glue for plastics, or cold solder.
Look for waterproof plastic glue
When you go to find a glue, you have to notice if it deteriorates over time, and is resistant to moisture. If not, over time, it can deteriorate.
Why is Super Glue so strong?
Super Glue is activated when it comes into contact with tiny amounts of water, such as the moisture layer that covers all things naturally. The process is so fast that Super Glue manufacturers mix it with a small amount of acid to prevent it from reacting too easily.
It is the properties of methyl cyanoacrylate that make the Super Glue glue such a powerful adhesive. It has the ability to transform itself into a chain of links extremely difficult to break from a series of individual molecules.
The electrons of the water molecules affect the bonds of two carbon atoms of the basic molecule of cyanoacrylate, so that it turns them into a two-headed hook that can bind other tail molecules.
Where is Super Glue glue used?
Super Glue can be used to bond glass, porcelain, ceramics, wood, metal, leather, rigid plastics and cork. It is also used daily in jobs where you need great reliability such as:
- In different parts of the aircraft, such as wings and turbines, to make them lighter and more resistant.
- In trains to fix the wheel bolts.
- In the aerospace industry to fix small parts of the ships.
- In the gearbox of F1 cars.
- In smartphones and tablets to fix the screen.
Super Glue has become such a strong glue that it is even used in minor surgery in order to stick human tissue without the need for stitches.
During the Vietnam War they began using Super Glue to close gut and sucking chest wounds (although it had many medical contraindications for its level of toxicity). But currently, special types of Super Glue (especially improved) are still used to close wounds and stop bleeding.
Last update on 2024-09-10 at 22:57 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Details
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